“Recyclers put their data out there for free. Now others use it to make composite pricing. It should be that you go to a marketplace, choose a vendor and get the best deal possible. Now, there is a price race to the bottom shrinking everyone’s margins. We provide parts at the lowest cost, but are forced to buy salvage as the highest bidder in the world. I want our industry to monitor itself. Those that own the data have the gold and power,” says Herb. “My largest accomplishment on the Executive Com- mittee was lobbying for Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard,” says Herb. This federal legislation was enacted to deter trafficking in stolen vehicles and instituted harsher penalties for several auto theft crimes, particularly carjacking. “We worked on it for 8 years, and were able to get the Vehicle Identification Number on 14 major car parts so that they could be identified as stolen when they hit the chop shop.” The Department of Transportation implemented the act in October 1985 by issuing the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR Part 541) requiring manufacturers of designated high theft passenger car lines (those with theft rates exceeding the 1983-84 median value) to inscribe or affix the vehicle identification number (VIN) onto the following major parts: engines, transmissions, fenders, doors, bumpers, quarter panels, hoods, decklids, tailgates and hatchbacks, among others.

Herb and Linda Lieberman enjoy a post-retirement trip to Africa. In addition to enjoying more time to travel and spend time with family, Lieberman is looking forward to doing more street racing in his rebuilt rods.

Automotive Recycling

March-April 2019 //49

... AND NOW!