“We produced this report to assist distributors, retailers and others in our industry to weigh all of the costs associated with direct importing and reach an informed decision. Where a product is made is not the determining factor of a part’s quality,” said Steve Handschuh, AASA president and COO. “I think we would all agree that you can get high quality parts out of China, India, Russia, anywhere around the world. Those countries are certainly capable of producing high quality products. But it’s not where the product is made, it’s who stands behind the product that is the most important consideration in our minds.”

One event that played a part in implementing this special report is the situation New Jersey-based Foreign Tire Sales has gone trough this year. The importer went to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) with problems it was having with tires, and subsequently implemented a recall. The recall put a tremendous financial strain on the company. Problems like this can be much more common if distributors are not careful.

Handschuh said that instance was a defining moment following the problems with dog food, toothpaste, seafood and lead-based paint used in toys. Problems with automotive fuses produced in low-cost countries also have surfaced. “Clearly, the microscope of this issue is turning onto our industry,” he noted.

“AASA published this special report to address the concerns rising from today’s trend of distributors and others bypassing brand name manufacturers of popular automotive replacement parts from places like China, India and other low-cost countries around the world,” Handschuh said. “This trend has its roots in the quest for competitive advantages and higher profits that drive all of our business, so it’s understandable why many would be looking at direct importing.”

The campaign also includes advertising and a member conference at the end of February in Orlando. The release of the special report also was tied into a seminar Monday afternoon by AASA and the NHTSA.

To view the special report, click here.