New Mexico, under a general order from Gov. Bill Richardson, is moving to adopt the California Clean Car standards. The New Mexico Department of the Environment has proposed standards that, if passed, would implement the California vehicle emission standards – including the super warranty. The proposal directs the state to implement global warming and smog-forming emissions standards for vehicles. Additionally, the bill would impose the expansion and extension of warranties.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) opposes the proposed standards in New Mexico. Although ASA supports clean car programs, the association believes such programs can exist and prosper in states without expanding or extending warranties at the expense of independent repair facilities.

"Independent repairers in New Mexico perform approximately 75 percent of all non-warranty repairs. Allowing repairs to move only to franchised new car dealers for warranty repair will arbitrarily limit the repair marketplace in the state of New Mexico," said Bob Redding, ASA’s Washington, D.C., representative, in a letter to the New Mexico Department of the Environment. ASA asked that the Department of the Environment conduct an evaluation of the impact of such regulation on independent repairers before moving forward with the proposal.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, go to http://www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA’s legislative website at http://www.TakingTheHill.com.