Aiming to increase the recognition by state policymakers of the major positive economic and consumer benefits generated by the automotive aftermarket parts and service industry, the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations unveiled its national industry education and awareness program (www.asaaa.com) aimed at promoting the importance, quality, value and availability of aftermarket replacement parts and services.
ASAAA says its Legislator Education and Awareness Program – a blueprint designed for state associations and industry companies to implement an educational process, send unified industry messages and use innovative resources in their own state capitols – has been guided by an advisory team and coordinated by a project manager. “The goal of the campaign is to increase awareness among policymakers across the country about the benefits of a vibrant and robust aftermarket industry,” says Rodney Pierini, chair of ASAAA’s Program Committee.
Pierini says the campaign is geared to help ensure consistency and fairness in the government affairs process and eliminate the misconception about the value and importance that aftermarket replacement parts and service play in the American economy. “As states are taking the initiative on many legislative fronts, it is becoming more critical than ever for new and returning lawmakers in all states to be educated about the quality, availability and lower-cost consumer alternative of aftermarket replacement parts and service,” he says.
ASAAA says a team of industry experts – including representatives from AAIA, AASA, AutoZone, LKQ Corp. and AWDA – served to help guide ASAAA in the development of the campaign. “In state capitols nationwide, industry advocates are faced with the challenge of educating legislative bodies about the value and importance that aftermarket replacement parts and service contribute to the nation’s economy and the motoring public,” says Barbara Crest, ASAAA president.
Crest says that aftermarket opponents, when describing replacement parts and service, use words like “imitation,” “inferior” and “not of like kind and quality” to confuse policymakers and discredit the industry. “ASAAA’s campaign will arm our industry advocates and company executives with information to promote and protect the industry’s interests in the legislative and regulatory processes with a consistent and unified voice,” she says.
