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<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=853090717-04112000>Just
came across this. I wonder what the process is to get the
information.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=853090717-04112000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=853090717-04112000>Bob</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=853090717-04112000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=853090717-04112000></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#0000ff face=Arial size=2><SPAN class=853090717-04112000>
<P><B><FONT face="Helvetica, Arial" size=+1>News Release</FONT></B></P>
<P><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Romain" size=-1>For Immediate
Release<BR>October 2, 2000</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Romain" size=-1>For more information,
contact <A href="mailto:rich.white@aftermarket.org">Rich White</A>, (301)
654-6664. </FONT></P>
<HR>
<P><B><FONT face="Helvetica, Arial">Aftermarket Wins Three-Year OBD II
Battle<BR><I>Governor Gray Davis Signs SB 1146</I></FONT></B></P>
<P><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Roman" size=-1>BETHESDA, MD - October
2, 2000 - After three years of relentless grassroots campaigning by state and
national aftermarket groups, California Governor Gray Davis signed SB 1146 into
law on Saturday, September 30, announced the Automotive Parts Service Alliance
(APSA). </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Roman" size=-1>“This is a monumental
victory for the aftermarket and consumers. SB 1146 ensures that car owners will
continue to have access to the most convenient and affordable vehicle
aftermarket in the world,” said Al Gaspar, President and CEO of the Automotive
Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Roman" size=-1>Specifically, the bill
mandates that the independent aftermarket will have access to service
information and tools necessary to repair and maintain vehicles equipped with
on-board diagnostic computers. The bill further requires that independents have
access to information necessary to ensure that replacement components are
compatible with the on-board computers. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Roman" size=-1>“We are extremely
pleased that the Governor has chosen to support the continued rights of
consumers to obtain quality and competitively priced parts and repairs from the
independent aftermarket,” said Gaspar. “This new law will help level the playing
field between the aftermarket and new car companies and their franchised new car
dealers in providing sophisticated parts and service for late model vehicles.”
</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Roman" size=-1>AAIA and the Automotive
Warehouse Distributors Association comprise the Automotive Parts and Service
Alliance (APSA). The Alliance worked closely with the California Consumer Choice
Coalition, a group of state and national aftermarket groups, consumer and
vehicle safety groups to spearhead a concerted grassroots effort to obtain
passage of the bill. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Roman" size=-1>“Our job is only
three-quarters complete,” cautioned Jim Eady, President of the Automotive
Warehouse Distributors Association. “The Alliance now looks forward to working
with the California Air Resources Board in developing regulations in order to
implement the SB 1146 requirements. With a January 1, 2002 deadline, there’s
still a great deal of work to be done.”</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Roman" size=-1>The bill, which passed
by a 70-3 vote on August 29 in the California Assembly, passed the Senate by a
vote of 36-1 the next day. In June, the California Transportation Assembly
unanimously passed the bill 17-0. Governor Davis signed the bill into law on
September 30. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Roman" size=-1>Specifically, SB 1146
would provide:</FONT></P>
<UL>
<LI><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Roman" size=-1>Full access to all
emissions related service information, enhanced diagnostic tools and
reprogramming capabilities.</FONT>
<LI><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Roman" size=-1>Disclosure of
information which will assist aftermarket manufacturers build parts that work
properly with OBDII systems. </FONT>
<LI><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Roman" size=-1>Yearly reports by
the California Air Resources Board and the Bureau of Consumer Affairs to the
State Legislature regarding the availability of competitive parts and repairs
for emissions related systems. </FONT>
<LI><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Roman" size=-1>Ability of
manufacturers to petition courts for trade secret protection, while still
requiring disclosure if necessary to provide for competition in the
aftermarket.</FONT>
<LI><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Roman" size=-1>Prohibition against
the use of any encryption or defeat devices that would prevent the
installation of a non-original equipment part.</FONT> </LI></UL>
<P><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Roman" size=-1>The Automotive
Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) is a Bethesda, Md.-based association
whose member companies manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts,
accessories, tools, equipment, materials and supplies. The organization is
comprised of manufacturers, distributors, jobbers, wholesalers, retailers,
manufacturer’s representatives and other companies doing business in the
automotive aftermarket. AAIA formerly served the aftermarket as APAA and
ASIA.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Palatino, Times, Times New Roman" size=-1>The Automotive
Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) was founded in 1947 and is the oldest
organized group of warehouse distributors and their respective suppliers of
parts, accessories, tools and other supplies for the automotive aftermarket.
AWDA consists of more than 300 warehouse distributor manufacturer members, in
addition to affiliate, marketing association and press members. </FONT></P>
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