Bill Proposed to Crush (literally) U.S. Cars with Crappy Gas Milage
Date 2009/2/2 7:12:49 | Topic: Cherokee
| From the "wait...really?" department comes this gem from the Specialty Equipment Marketers Association (SEMA, to mere mortals). It seems that some politicians are floating the idea of a bill that would provide cash for low-fuel efficiency vehicles, including Jeep Cherokees and Wranglers - in an effort to get them off the road, permanently.
It seems that they're looking to crush 4 million vehicles over the four years.
SEMA is spreading the word about all this craziness, in the form of a press release that outlines some of the reason that this is a bad idea, including:
- Given the minimal $1,500-$4,500 voucher value, the program will lure rarely-driven second and third vehicles that have minimal impact on overall fuel economy and air pollution. This is not a wise investment of tax dollars.
- The program will reduce the number of vehicles available for low-income individuals and drive up the cost of the remaining vehicles and repair parts. This is a basic supply-and-demand reality.
- The program will remove the opportunity to market specialty products that are designed exclusively for the targeted pickups and SUVs, including equipment that increases engine performance and fuel mileage. Congress will be enacting a program to eliminate jobs and reduce business revenues in the automotive aftermarket.
- The idea that the trucks and SUVs must be scrapped in order to save energy is irrational. The program's "carbon footprint" does not factor in the amount of energy and natural resources expended in manufacturing the existing car, spent scrapping it and manufacturing a replacement car.
- The program fails to acknowledge driver needs, such as the ability to transport a family, tow a trailer or rely upon the performance, safety and utility characteristics associated with the larger vehicles. Instead, these vehicles will be destroyed.
- There is no evidence that the program will achieve the goal of boosting new car sales or increasing fuel mileage. Many states have considered scrappage programs in the past as a way to help clean the air or increase mpg, but abandoned the effort because they simply don't work. The programs are not cost-effective and do not achieve verifiable fuel economy or air quality benefits.
- The program will hurt thousands of independent repair shops, auto restorers, customizers and their customers across the country that depend on the used car market. This industry provides thousands of American jobs and generates millions of dollars in local, state and federal tax revenues.
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