FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA - Hyundai Motor America recently issued a statement advising vehicle owners against the use of aftermarket crash parts. This is an issue that continues to stir debate among three distinct industries: auto, insurance and collision repair. 

Here is the statement: 

"Hyundai Motor America does not support the use of aftermarket, imitation or recycled collision repair parts. The use of such parts or other non-original Hyundai equipment for the repair of any collision-damaged vehicle may negatively affect crashworthiness and occupant safety during a collision; therefore is not supported by Hyundai. Additionally, Hyundai does not support the use or re-use of components removed or recycled from an existing collision-damaged vehicle. 

Hyundai vehicles and Hyundai Genuine Parts are designed and manufactured to meet Hyundai's exact engineering specifications and to protect vehicle occupants in collisions. Genuine Hyundai Parts, including all elements of Hyundai's air bag occupant restraint systems, are crash-tested to ensure they meet the U.S. government's rigid collision safety and crash protection standards. Genuine Hyundai Parts work in concert to ensure occupant protection, vehicle integrity, and proper airbag deployment."