During its annual meeting at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) passed a number of resolutions.
Initiating a fund-raising event through the TIA Foundation to help pay for a training program for the maintenance, repair and replacement of tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) was one of the issues that the TIA board of directors supported.
In addition, TIA addressed the following issues with its resolutions:
* "Right to Repair Act." The association supports "the timely consideration and passage" of this proposed legislation, which calls for non-restrictive access to vehicle repair information. According to TIA, "consumers are entitled to choose among competing tire dealerships and repair facilities for the convenient, reliable and affordable repair of their motor vehicles."
* "Certified Store." As part of its "Strategic Plan," TIA wants to create an on-line Certified Store "to enhance the image and professionalism of the tire dealer community." This resolution calls for TIA "to develop a program for the implementation" of the Certified Store concept.
* American Health Plan. TIA supports the proposed legislation, which allows small businesses such as tire dealerships, recycling companies and retreading operations to "pool themselves for insurance purposes to spread out the risk."
* Annual safety inspections. TIA resolved to develop a model annual safety inspection bill and work with the RMA and other automotive aftermarket industry associations "to begin a long-term effort to introduce and seek passage of periodic safety inspection legislation in state capitols nationwide." Twenty-eight states do not have periodic annual motor vehicle safety inspection programs.
TIA also resolved to work with the Rubber Manufacturers Association to ensure universal compliance with the TREAD (Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation) Act.
