The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) responded to the announcement by Ford Motor Company that the auto manufacturer has put an end to its lighting and bumper fascia core recovery program effective 1st June.
According to AutoBody News, the program which has been in place for close to a decade was being ended due to the administrative issues it created for collision repairers and dealers.
ARA Executive Director, Sandy Blalock said:
“ARA is concerned about the environmental impact that the termination of this core program will have; however, we are confident that the replacement parts market will find a solution to appropriately recovering and recycling these components.”
A 2012 statement accredited to Ford Recycling and Remanufacturing Manager, Kim Goering, said that the program demonstrated the automaker’s commitment to doing “whatever we can to extend the life of these components. Even more important, however, is that Ford strongly believes it’s just the right thing to do from an environmental perspective.”
This statement also acknowledged a need by Ford to cut into the remanufacturing sector of the aftermarket. The ARA maintains this is an example of the company’s efforts to hold back competition and increase repair costs.
ARA President Scott Robertson said:
“It’s clear that over the past several years, Ford and other auto manufacturers have taken aggressive steps to push the automotive recycling as well as remanufacturing and aftermarket industries out of the market,” He added: “I find it highly suspect how in 2012, Ford can publicly acknowledge that their original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts still have a lot of life left, yet they’ve taken every position to the contrary when it comes to the recycled, genuine OEM parts sold by our members. The professional automotive recycling industry is the true champion of recycling here, and I think Ford’s termination of this program shows that.”
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