CAPA has refuted allegations made in two reports issued by General Motors comparing CAPA-certified parts to GM parts.
In its November 2001 report, GM outlined alleged problems with two CAPA parts and in February 2002 reported its tests on ten CAPA parts. The GM report was highly critical of the non-OEM parts, especially the quality of the welds.
CAPA claims that GM failed to establish "significant differences" between the OEM and non-OEM parts and that the GM' report implies that all 1999-2001 Grand Am parts are made the same way, which CAPA says is not true.
CAPA tests GM parts
CAPA says that its review of data from independently tested GM Grand Am parts shows the following:
71% variation in the number of welds among Grand Am parts
129% variation in minimum weld size among Grand Am parts and even on the same part
CAPA went on to say, "The report implies that the CAPA parts are inferior because they did not match the specific GM parts or specifications referenced in their report, yet an analysis of Pontiac Grand Am hoods in the market found 55% variation in number of adhesive patches on Grand Am parts and 105% variation in total surface area covered by adhesive on Grand Am parts."
CAPA notes that, "Absent from GM's report was any indication if the GM parts, in fact, met their own standards. Because CAPA regularly tests car company parts, significant data on GM parts has been accumulated in the normal course of certification. Overall, 65% of 467 GM parts vehicle test fit failed to meet CAPA's fit and appearance requirements.
At the recent insurance conference in Boston, CAPA displayed a variety of problem parts, including GM's Grand Am hood with fewer welds than GM reported were necessary for the hood.
"Due to the implementation of our Vehicle Test Fit process, in which parts submitted for CAPA certification are actually mounted on vehicles and then compared to both the car company original part and service part, CAPA has several years of part data available," said Jack Gillis, CAPA's Executive Director. "This data shows that there are significant problems with car company brand parts.
Between March 1999 and March 2002, CAPA put 1,907 car company parts through an extensive fit test and discovered that 50 percent (954 parts) didn't meet CAPA standards for fit, and finish.
Insurance group hails CAPA tests
"For years defenders of so-called 'genuine' replacement auto parts have touted their supposed superior quality over certified generic replacement parts," said Kirk Hansen, director of claims for the Alliance of American Insurers. "However, as this study clearly shows, many of these parts produced by auto manufacturers are often inferior to certified generic parts. In fact, half of the auto manufacturers' parts wouldn't qualify for CAPA certification."
Hansen noted that the Alliance has long supported the efforts of CAPA, which since 1992 has used Entela Labs, the same lab used by car companies, to develop standards and inspect aftermarket parts. To earn the CAPA seal of approval, a part must pass stringent tests to assure that it is at least equal to its OEM counterpart.
"It has long been the Alliance's contention that certified generic automobile replacement parts, although less expensive, are superior to car company replacement parts. This study further confirms our position," Hansen said.
Since 1982, the Alliance has conducted numerous replacement part studies using a variety of automobile models to demonstrate the excessive cost of car company parts. The cost of rebuilding a vehicle with "genuine" car company parts generally triples the original cost. The Alliance's most recent study focused on a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier LS four-door sedan. Even without the cost of paint and labor, the Cavalier built entirely from car company replacement parts cost $63,240 -- more than four times the retail cost!
The full CAPA report is available on its website at www.CAPAcertified.org or by calling (202) 737-2212.
CAPA accredited as a standards developer
CAPA has been accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a Standards Developer.
Founded in 1918, ANSI is a private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system.
"Acceptance by ANSI as a Standards Developer further enhances CAPA's status as a certifier of aftermarket parts," said Jack Gillis, Executive Director of the non-profit association. "Our ANSI accreditation will lend even more credibility to the CAPA program and will help to ensure the continued high quality of CAPA certified parts."
"ANSI's approval of the CAPA Standards will assure the crash repair industry as well as the public that CAPA's Standards were developed in a manner consistent with ANSI's principles," said Rod Enlow, CAPA Technical Committee Chairman.
