You may already be aware that Michigan’s H.B. 4344, a complex 62-page bill that updates the 1974 Michigan Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act, passed the Michigan legislature and now heads to Govenor Rick Snyder for his signature.While the bill language makes reference to restricting use of major component parts (see page 6), the new restrictions only apply to sheet metal and body parts (see page 22, sec. 7G).
However, the Auto Care Association is extremely concerned with the bill author’s intent to restrict the vehicle repair community’s access to the broad range of non-OEM parts.
Additional details from the legislation:- The period covered by the regulation is the term of the vehicle manufacturer’s original warranty, or during the first five years of the vehicle manufacturer’s original warranty; whichever is less.
- The motor vehicle repair facility shall replace the major component part [certain sheet metal and/or body parts] with one of the following: (a) a new original equipment manufacturer part. (b) a used or recycled original equipment manufacturer part. (c) a part that meets any applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards established under 49 CFR 571, and meets the standards for parts recognized as OEM-comparable quality as verified by the Certified Automotive Parts Association, NSF international, or another nationally-recognized automotive parts testing agency.
- The facility must be directed by the owner of the motor vehicle, in writing, for permission to install a part that does not meet subdivision (a), (b), or (c), [above].
Based on this language, it would not be difficult for vehicle manufacturers to lobby to extend these requirements to many other aftermarket parts, as we have seen attempted in other states. Such action would provide a clear competitive advantage for OEM parts over those sourced from the independent aftermarket.
Auto Care Association members in the state of Michigan and those that do business in the state are encouraged to contact the governor’s office at 517-373-3400 and request that he veto H.B. 4344.
If you have time to send a letter, please do so today to the following address:
Governor Rick Snyder
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909
