Way To Go SEMA!, Senate Gets It Right-Defeats Vehicle Scrappage Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 14, 2002) - Car hobbyists and related 
businesses scored a major victory yesterday when the U.S. Senate voted 
to approve an amendment sponsored by Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell 
(R-CO) to remove old car scrappage language from the "Energy Policy 
Act of 2002."

The vehicle scrappage provision (Section 822 of S. 517) would have 
created a new U.S. Department of Energy bureaucracy to federally fund 
state-run scrappage programs for vehicles over 15 years old.  Under 
the program, owners who turned in vehicles for crushing would have 
received a cash payment and a credit toward purchasing a newer 
vehicle, in an ostensible attempt to improve the overall fuel economy 
of the country's vehicle fleet.  The scrappage provision would have 
denied automotive aftermarket businesses the availability of older 
cars necessary to market products and services.  It also threatened 
vehicle enthusiasts nationwide with the loss of valuable parts and 
parts-cars for repair, restoration, and customization projects.

"SEMA is very indebted to the efforts of Senator Ben Nighthorse 
Campbell, co-chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and 
Motorsports Caucus, for introducing the amendment to eliminate 
scrappage," said SEMA Director of Public Affairs Brian Caudill.  
"Without his, and principal co-sponsor Sen. Sam Brownback's (R-KS), 
exceptional effort and support, this victory would have been 
impossible. We are very lucky to have fellow automotive enthusiasts in 
the Senate."

"Also, this victory would not have been possible without the literally 
thousands of phone calls, faxes, e-mails and letters to U.S. Senators 
that SEMA member businesses and SEMA Action Network vehicle clubs and 
individual enthusiasts were able to muster," said Caudill.  "SEMA 
sincerely thanks everyone for their dedication, hard work, and 
willingness to protect the vehicle hobby. This experience is a 
testament to the powerful connection between the specialty aftermarket 
automotive industry and the American vehicle hobbyist community."

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, represents the $25 
billion specialty automotive industry. The trade association has more 
than 5,000 member companies. It is the authoritative source of 
research data, trends and market growth information for automakers and 
the specialty auto products industry. The industry provides 
appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products 
for passenger cars, minivans, trucks, SUVs and recreational vehicles. 
For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., 
Diamond Bar, Calif., 91765-3914; call 909/396-0289; or visit 
www.sema.org or www.enjoythedrive.com.

The SEMA Action Network (SAN) is a nationwide partnership of vehicle 
clubs, members of the specialty auto parts industry and individuals 
who want to protect their hobby.  SAN is dedicated to help stamp out 
legislative threats to the automotive hobby and pass favorable laws.  
For more information, contact Brian Caudill at 202/783-6007 or visit 
www.enjoythedrive.com/san.