Michigan governor vetoes aftermarket parts bill

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder vetoed a bill Thursday that would limit access to aftermarket-repair parts, saying the law would increase costs to consumers and hurt the state’s aftermarket industry.

Supported by the state’s Legislature, the bill included an amendment that would allow body shops to use only new or recertified parts from original manufacturers in vehicle repairs during the first five years of warranty. The bill specifically referred to the repairs of major component parts, such as the engines, transmission, fenders and airbags, among other parts.

The latest version of the bill would allow vehicle owners to use aftermarket parts if they confirmed it in writing, but that wasn’t enough for Snyder. In addition to potential higher repair costs for replacements, Snyder said in a statement, the bill would hurt consumers with increased auto insurance costs, which “are already too high.”

He said the bill may be intended to increase safety for consumers in assuring new-product replacements, but it “limits use of safe, high-quality aftermarket parts designed specifically for particular vehicles.”