The results of the tests apparently haven't been to the liking of the Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA), who released a statement this week accusing Ford of publishing the results without providing documentary evidence to support the findings.
Even more, the association says Ford's findings were “devoid of any qualitative or quantitative information related to occupant injury or variances in the timing of airbags depending on the use of aftermarket or OEM parts.”
The above statement is in reference to Ford's claim that aftermarket body parts have an impact on the manner and speed airbags deploy in accidents. On the other hand, apart from questioning Ford about its methods, the association too fails to support its claims with evidence.
What do they want then? Sell their products, of course. ABPA urges customers not to listen to Ford without seeing the evidence as well. After all, the aftermarket parts industry, OEM or not, depends on it.
"This should be an eye opener for all consumers," said Eileen Sottile, Automotive Body Parts Association Legislation & Regulation Committee co-chair.
"The car companies will shamelessly attack the aftermarket industry and utilize scare tactics to turn consumers away from non-OEM replacement parts. All drivers should be aware that aftermarket parts are often produced by the same manufacturers that supply the car companies and that their safety performance rivals and can even exceed those of OEM parts."
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