The Map Process - Overview

Repair Association, Inc. (AMRA). Participation in the Motorist Assurance Program comes from retailers, suppliers, independent repair facilities, vehicle manufacturers and industry associations.

Our organization's mission is to strengthen the relationship between the consumer and the auto repair industry. We produce materials that give motorists the information and encouragement to take greater responsibility for their vehicles-through proper, manufacturer / recommended maintenance. We encourage participating service and repair shops (including franchisees and dealers) to adopt (1) a Pledge of Assurance to their Customers and (2) the Motorist Assurance Program Standards of Service. All participating service providers have agreed to subscribe to this Pledge and to adhere to the promulgated Standards of Service demonstrating to their customers that they are serious about customer satisfaction.

These Standards of Service require that an inspection of the vehicle's (problem) system be made and the results communicated to the customer according to industry standards. Given that the industry did not have such standards, the Motorist Assurance Program successfully promulgated industry inspection communication standards in 1994-95 for the following systems: Exhaust, Brakes, ABS, Steering and Suspension, Engine Maintenance and Performance, HVAC, Electrical Systems, and Drive Train and Transmissions. Further, revisions to all of these inspection communication standards are continually re-published. Participating shops utilize these Uniform Inspection & Communication Standards as part of the inspection process and for communicating their findings to their customers.

The Motorist Assurance Program continues to work cooperatively and proactively with government agencies and consumer groups toward solutions that both benefit the customer and are mutually acceptable to both regulators and industry. We maintain the belief that industry must retain control over how we conduct our business, and we must be viewed as part of the solution and not part of the problem. Meetings with state and other government officials (and their representatives), concerned with auto repair and/or consumer protection, are conducted. Feedback from these sessions is brought back to the association, and the program adjusted as needed.

We welcome you to join us as we continue our outreach... with your support, both the automotive repair industry and your customers will reap the benefits. Please visit MAP at our Internet site www.motorist.org or contact us at:

201 Park Washington Court

Falls Church, Virginia 22046

Tel: (703) 532-2027 * Fax: (202) 318-0378