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.

Update 3-6-02
As most of you are aware, SEMA and the SEMA Action Network (SAN) have been actively opposing legislation, Section 803 of U.S. Senate Bill 1766 (S. 1766), that would federally fund state run scrappage programs.  At this time, the bill and section number have been changed to Section 832 of S. 517.

SEMA continues to fight legislation - Section 832 of the Energy Policy Act of 2002 (S. 517) - that would federally fund state-run scrappage programs for vehicles over 15 years old.  At press time, at least one U.S. Senator had pledged to introduce an amendment to remove the scrappage language from the bill.  We are hopeful that this effort will be successful.

SEMA would like to thank hobbyists nationwide for the many letters, faxes, emails and phone calls to Senate offices in opposition to scrappage.  No question, they have had a positive effect! Now is not the time to let up.  If you have not contacted your U.S. Senators to oppose scrappage, please do so.  For more information on the federal scrappage legislation, head on over to
http:/www.enjoythedrive.com/san.

Update 3-3-02
Unfortunately, despite the section and number changes, the message remains the same:  Section 832 of S. 517 STILL seeks to federally fund state run scrappage programs for vehicles older then 15 years.

We would like to thank all those who have contacted their U.S. Senators in opposition to scrappage.  For those of you who have not done so yet, our updated alert is attached and posted below.