Quality Parts Coalition: RetireSafe Joins Membership Roster

Grassroots advocacy group unites with QPC in opposition to auto
repair parts monopoly

Washington, D.C. — The Quality Parts Coalition (QPC) today announced that the consumer group RetireSafe has joined its long list of members. RetireSafe is a grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to preserving, promoting, and enhancing options, benefits and retirement security solutions for older Americans.

“We are thrilled to have RetireSafe on board as a member of the Quality Parts Coalition,” said Eileen Sottile, executive director of the QPC. “America’s senior citizens — and their independence — are important, and the auto manufacturer’s monopoly in the replacement parts market will have a disproportionate impact on many older citizens living on fixed incomes.”

The QPC recently launched a campaign that urges Congress to include a “repair” clause or exemption in U.S. design patent law to protect competition and consumer choice when it comes to collision repair parts.

Due to a recent patent ruling, consumers no longer have an alternative option for many quality replacement parts for the 2004 and newer Ford F-150 pickup trucks. These alternative replacement parts – including the items consumers typically need to repair their vehicles after a crash: bumpers, tail-lights, and grills – cost anywhere from 26 percent to 50 percent less than parts manufactured by the large automobile companies. Moreover, they carry warranties that often exceed those offered by automobile manufacturers.

“RetireSafe strongly supports the QPC’s efforts to preserve competition in the auto replacement parts market,” said Michelle Plasari, RetireSafe’s President. “Many seniors already are struggling with limited income and significant increases in vehicle repair costs. A repair parts monopoly will cause more of a strain on their pocketbooks and many of America’s seniors may be forced to forgo driving and lose their treasured independence.”

For more information, visit www.qualitypartscoalition.com or www.retiresafe.org.
             
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