AAIA takes aim at 'Cash for Clunkers'

Feb. 19, 2009

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) will examine the controversial "Cash for Clunkers" program at its Aftermarket Legislative Summit March 11-12 in Washington, D.C.

The program was removed from the economic stimulus package passed by Congress last week. It would have appropriated $16 billion in federal funds for car owners to trade in their SUVs in exchange for vouchers that could be used to buy more fuel-efficient vehicles, say AAIA officials.

"We plan to use the summit to educate legislators on the fact that while these (kind of) programs look good on paper, they have never been shown to be a cost effective means to improve fuel economy, reduce emissions or spur new car sales," says AAIA Vice President of Government Affairs Aaron Lowe.