The Impact of Extended Vehicle Emission Warranties on California's Independent Repair Shops

To satisfy California's Zero Emission Vehicle Program, auto manufacturers will likely be producing large numbers of partial-zero emission vehicles with extended emission-control system warranties. When the California Air Resources Board adopted the extended-warranty requirement, it was concerned about adverse impacts to the independent vehicle-repair industry because warranty repairs usually must be done at dealer repair shops. This report examines and quantifies the possible effects, out to 2020, of extended vehicle warranties on the independent repair industry.