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Contact info at: www.stopsteering.com

STOPSTEERING.COM (Supplying Information to consumers across the country)

February 9, 2010

AFTERMARKET (IMITATION OEM) REPLACEMENT PARTS USED IN INSURANCE CLAIMS AND TO REPAIR VEHICLES POSE SAFETY CONCERNS

Toby Chess, a noted expert in collision repair, recently conducted tests upon structural components in automobiles that perform a critical part for proper deployment of air bags,. His tests show that they are substantially inferior in strength and integrity when compared to the original manufacturer part (OEM). Such deficiencies will negatively affect the deployment of air bags and other Supplemental Restraint System components, placing consumers at considerable personal risk. Toby Chess was quoted, “They affect the deployment of airbags, ladies and gentlemen. We’re putting people’s lives at stake. That is not right”. The test presentations may be viewed at the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), a collision repair association www.scrs.com .

The Auto Body Parts Association (ABPA) representing more than 150 manufacturers, distributors of aftermarket structural crash parts called for a halt in production of any unproven parts, to be followed by the Taiwan Auto Body Association (TABPA) who represents the manufacturers, advising its members to halt the sale and distribution of untested aftermarket structural crash parts.

While we applaud these efforts, we at www.StopSteering.com are concerned about vehicles previously repaired with these aftermarket components and that there currently is no recall mechanism to assist these consumers. Therefore, we urge all consumers whose vehicles have been in a front or rear collision to immediately contact their repairer, using the attached form, to verify that aftermarket structural crash parts were not used in the repair, and ask for replacement if non OEM structural parts were used.

For immediate assistance or to download a copy of the Verification Form, please contact www.StopSteering.com at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We also encourage consumers to contact their government officials at the following links:

Federal DOT      http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/portal/site/nhtsa/menuitem.bead436724af02e770f6df1020008a0c/

State Info http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/webstate.htm

AFTERMARKET(IMITATION) PART(S) NOTIFICATION

Vehicle Owner Name: ______________________________________

Vehicle Owner Address: ______________________________________

Vehicle Desc (yr, make, model) ______________________________________

VIN: ______________________________________

Due to recent developments regarding the safety of Aftermarket parts sometimes known as imitation, quality replacement parts, a/m or generic parts, I am requesting at this time that you document for me each and every non OEM part that is/was utilized in the repair of my vehicle.

If an insurance company is/was involved, please provide:

Insurance Company Name: ______________________________________

Insurance Company Address: ______________________________________

______________________________________

Insurance Company Phone: (_____) ______________________

Claim number: ______________________________________

Claim Representative: ______________________________________

Part Description: ____________________________________________

Part Number: _________________________

Supplier: _________________________

Part Description: ____________________________________________

Part Number: _________________________

Supplier: _________________________

Part Description: ____________________________________________

Part Number: _________________________

Supplier: _________________________

Part Description: ____________________________________________

Part Number: _________________________

Supplier: _________________________

(Attach additional pages if necessary.)

By my signature affixed hereto, I hereby affirm as owner/operator and/or manager of this repair facility; that the parts listed above are non structural in nature; that the parts listed above will not effect the performance of YOUR vehicle safety systems; and that the parts listed above pose no risk to YOU and/or the passengers in YOUR vehicle and/or any other person or persons if YOUR vehicle should be involved in any other accident or loss.

Furthermore, I hereby affirm that any and all non OEM part(s) used to repair your vehicle are equivalent to the part(s) that were replaced on your vehicle.

Name____________________________________ Position __________

Facility Name________________________________ Date __/__/____