The Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) is taking an aggressive path to fix a possible problem in the field as it pertains to the issue of the quality of several potential safety-related crash replacement parts.

The action is being taken in response to the safety parts demonstration by Toby Chess, a veteran I-CAR trainer, at the most recent CIC conference in Palm Springs, Calif., in mid-January.

During the demonstration, which was an extension to one that Chess had presented during the CIC meeting in Las Vegas in November 2009, Chess again showed his audience the difference that exists in the material properties of several crash parts.

This material and/or construction may impact the performance of structural parts in a vehicle collision.

Based on that demonstration and the ensuing discussion of concern at the January 2010 CIC meeting, ABPA has notified its entire membership base that it should review with its suppliers the inherent properties and testing of all structural parts.

This would include bumper reinforcements, steel bumpers, bumper brackets, radiator supports and absorbers to ensure that adequate testing is available to support that both imported and domestic parts perform equal to the OEM in vehicle collisions.

In the event that sufficient testing is not available, ABPA has recommended discontinuation of the production and sale of these part types as well as immediate notification to the estimating systems to eliminate these parts from their parts database submission.

“ABPA and the aftermarket collision parts industry are committed to working with any and all collision repair shops, insurers and related industry groups to assure the continued production and sales of collision replacement parts that are safe and of the highest quality,” says Charlie Hogarty, ABPA board chairman.

National Secretary Danny Morrissey, who is part of a committee to evaluate future action that ABPA can take and who was at the CIC meeting, says, “We are encouraged that Toby Chess' presentation did include positive comments on the testing program and products produced in the aftermarket by an ABPA member company.”       

The majority of ABPA members have long supported certification and testing programs such as the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) currently in place and which is currently certifying some of these part types and considering certifying other part types.

For more information, visit www.autobpa.com.