For Immediate Release
June 14, 2007

Contact: Roy Littlefield
301-430-7280

TIA Participates in Automotive Aftermarket Legislative Summit

Bowie, MD – (June 14, 2007) The Tire Industry Association (TIA) announced today that as a sponsoring association of the Automotive Aftermarket Legislative Summit held June 12-13, 2007, they are looking forward to gathering co-sponsors for the newly reintroduced Motor Vehicle Owner’s Right to Repair Act that was introduced in the 110th Congress as H.R. 2694. This year, the two-day summit was heralded as the most widely attended yet. In addition to the regular Summit schedule on Wednesday, June 13, TIA held a White House briefing where National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Deputy Administrator Jim Ports brought members up-to-date with NHTSA efforts on Electronic Stability Control and Electronic Tire Registration. TIA also held a luncheon with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), who briefed the attendees on some up-to-the-minute Congressional activities before going to the White House to meet with the President.

“The message was delivered strongly across the halls of both the House and Senate yesterday by folks from around the country, and TIA was proud to participate in the effort,” said TIA Director of Government and Business Relations Paul Fiore. “The introduction of Right to Repair legislation in the states may be beginning to pay off,” according to Roy Littlefield, TIA Executive Vice President. “Members and staff were getting very favorable responses from the congressional offices we were visiting yesterday. There were good signals that we’ll be getting a Senate bill as well this year.” Fiore also added that the coalition of aftermarket groups will begin the process of gathering co-sponsors immediately and TIA is eager to deliver their share.

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TIA is an international association representing all segments of the tire industry, including those that manufacture, repair, recycle, sell, service or use new or retreaded tires, and also those suppliers or individuals who furnish equipment, material or services to the industry. The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has a history that spans more than 80 years and includes several name changes. Originally known as the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association (NTDRA), the organization gave birth over the years to the American Retreaders Association (ARA) and the Tire Association of North America (TANA). ARA changed its name to the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) and merged with TANA in 2002 to form the current Tire Industry Association (TIA), which now represents every interest in the tire industry.