TYC, one of the world's largest manufacturers of aftermarket lighting, has joined the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) as a full participant. 

TYC is the first aftermarket lighting manufacturer to join the program after voluntarily participating in a pre-program opportunity CAPA offered to lighting manufacturers in January 2005. This process enabled manufacturers to observe all aspects of the testing, prior to joining the CAPA Program.

"Clearly, the decision by TYC to subject its parts to CAPA's comprehensive certification requirements exhibits great confidence in quality," said Jack Gillis, executive director of the non-profit association. "Quality sells and TYC's commitment to CAPA certification is an indication that true customer satisfaction is at the top of their list."

TYC is an ISO/TS/QS/Q1 certified automotive lighting manufacturer, with nearly two decades of experience in automobile lighting design and manufacture for aftermarket and original equipment. "We're committed to continual improvement of our business processes to satisfy our customer's expectations," said Drue Hsia, president of Genera Corporation and TYC Global Group. "We are confident that CAPA effectively captured and incorporated the voices and needs of both direct and independent repairers in the CAPA 301 lighting program. We felt the urgency from the industry and are committed to meeting their needs."

Second manufacturer added

DEPO Auto Parts Ind. Co., Ltd, another large manufacturer of aftermarket lighting, is the second aftermarket lighting manufacturer to join the program. DEPO is an international supplier of lighting products that has been doing business in the U.S. for 8 years and currently produces over 2965 different lighting products for the U.S. market.

By choosing to comply with CAPA's comprehensive quality standard, CAPA 301, DEPO further solidifies and clearly demonstrates its concern for product quality to the public," said Gillis. Parts that meet the CAPA quality requirements will be clearly marked with CAPA's unique, tamper-proof quality seal and packaging. "There will be no question in the marketplace as to which parts are genuine CAPA certified products," said Gillis.

"Since it's inception in 1977, DEPO's business philosophy has always been providing the market with quality products. Throughout the years, we have invested millions of dollars in world class testing and production equipment. As an effort to continuous improvement, a 7 year veteran engineer was transferred to our U.S. base, Maxzone, to manage our own vehicle test fits for quality prior to CAPA's new part approval VTF, said Polo Hsu, president of Maxzone."

"I have personally visited DEPO's new, modern and efficient assembly plant, and have seen their commitment to quality. Now they have a chance to show repairers that quality by certifying their parts to the CAPA Lighting Standard," said Bob Anderson, of Anderson's Automotive Service and CAPA's board chairman.

Strong demand for quality

"Dramatically increasing automaker lighting prices combined with concerns about the quality of some aftermarket brand lighting products has created a strong demand for a fairly priced, high quality alternative," continued Anderson. "Lighting manufacturers who choose to comply with CAPA's standards will be making a significant contribution to overall vehicle reparability," said Don Feeley of City Body and Frame and chairman of CAPA's Technical Committee.

Included in the standard are the specifications for dimensional checks (form and fit), appearance, composition, coating performance, mechanical properties, adhesives, fasteners, hardware, photometric performance, electrical performance, aiming performance and compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 as implemented by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). Lighting products covered by the standard include headlights, taillights, turn signals, brake signals, reflectors, and high-mounted brake lights.

Because of CAPA's highly effective vehicle test fit process, collision repairers are giving CAPA certified parts serious consideration. "Our goal has always been to ensure that all CAPA certified parts work for the collision repairer," stated Gillis.

"With the addition of DEPO to the CAPA program, collision repairers will ultimately have even more opportunities to install CAPA certified replacement lighting parts on vehicles. This is a huge step forward in CAPA's efforts to keep vehicles repairable," concluded Gillis.