Auto Industry Fights California Clean Air Law

LOS ANGELES (CN) - In another auto industry attack on California's clean-air regulations, the Automotive Service Councils of California and other auto trade groups sued the California Air Resources Board in Superior Court, claiming the state exceeded its power by enacting Emission Warranty Information Reporting and Recall Regulations, which took effect Jan. 4.

The law allows the state agency "to authorize an extended warranty in lieu of recalls" for "a purportedly defective automotive emission system component."

The trade groups claim there's no proof that this state action will actually improve air quality, and - here's a good one - there's no way the state can prove that "an owner of an automobile that contains the component targeted by the extended warranty would actually have knowledge of the warranty and would have the component repaired or replaced in a timely manner".

Plaintiffs - the Automotive Service Councils of California, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association, California Autobody Association, California Automotive Business Coalition, California/Nevada Automotive Wholesalers Association, Independent Automotive Professionals Association, California Service Station & Automotive Repair Association, Car Care Professionals Network, Connie and Dick's Service Center, and the Automotive Service Association - are represented by represented by Manatt Phelps & Phillips.

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