“
SVABC does not take a stance on vehicle types!
The SVA remains an umbrella for all categories of our hobby,
be they original, modified, car, truck or motorcycle.
Our goals are all the same, the preservation of our hobby.
”
What Has SEMA Done for You Lately?
SEMA Cautions Congress on Flawed Cash for Clunker Programs - January, '09
Cash For Clunkers Sounds Good, But Is Bad Policy
Old Cars Are Valuable to Collectors, But Not Taxpayers: An unchecked Cash for Clunkers program risks destroying classic, historic and special-interest vehicles. America safeguards its artistic and architectural heritage against indiscriminate destruction. Our automotive and industrial heritage deserves the same protection.
Cash for Clunkers Programs Do Not Take Gross Polluters Off the Road:
Cash for Clunkers focus on vehicle age rather than actual emissions produced. This approach is based on the erroneous assumption that “old cars are dirty cars.” However, the true culprits are “gross polluters”—vehicles of any model year that are poorly maintained.
Squeezes Low-Income Citizens:
Low-income Americans would be hurt by expanding Cash for Clunkers. Such programs reduce the supply and availability of affordable transportation and repair parts—the very cars and parts most often bought by low and fixedincome drivers.
How Can the Federal Government Ensure that the Replacement Vehicle Is Any Cleaner?:
There is no guarantee with a Cash for Clunkers program that a replacement vehicle (if there is one) will be cleaner running or more fuel-efficient than the vehicles the government paid to scrap. For example, many popular cars in 1979 achieved higher mileage ratings than 2008 vehicles.
CANADIAN UPDATE
Leaded Fuel Ban on Hold for One Year
Environment Canada Delays Restriction on Leaded Fuel for Competition Motor Vehicles
The Canadian Department of the Environment has delayed action for one year on a proposal that would
terminate the current exemption from environmental restrictions for leaded gasoline used in competition
motor vehicles. Under the revised regulation, the exemption will remain in place until January 1, 2010.
The extended period will allow all racing events in 2008 and 2009 to proceed while providing time for
regulators to conduct further studies on the health risks of leaded fuel use at race facilities. The last
study of this type was conducted in 1997.
In 2006, competition motor vehicles comprised only 1.5% of all leaded gasoline consumed in Canada. The
aviation industry, which owns a permanent exemption from the ban, accounts for the other 98.5%.
In their announcement, government officials highlighted the significance of the economic impact a
leaded fuel ban would have on race tracks, local and racing-affiliated businesses. With an estimated
165 racing facilities across Canada, the closure of these facilities would also have a negative effect
on restaurants, campgrounds, motels and other small businesses.
“While this is just a temporary reprieve, it does provide an opportunity to further educate
regulators on the vital role the racing industry plays in the Canadian economy,” said SAN Director
Jason Tolleson. “The additional time should provide ample opportunity for the development of a fair
policy that will balance the interests of the racing community and the economy with any environmental concerns.”
A special thanks goes to the National Association of Antique Automobile Clubs of Canada Corporation for
mobilizing their membership against this short-sighted proposal.
Old Car Emissions Exemption No Longer Threatened in 8 California Counties
Congratulations! The California old car hobby convinced California Senate legislators to amend legislation (S.B. 1549) that sought repeal of the state’s current emissions test exemption for pre-1976 vehicles registered by new owners in the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District. The District includes eight counties in California’s Central Valley. Under the original bill, after Jan. 1, 2009, new owners seeking to register a pre-1976 vehicle in these eight counties would have been subject to emissions tests for the life of the vehicle. Under the amendment, the repeal language was removed and the bill instead now requires the DMV to study the state’s special license plate programs and recommend improvements.
New Jersey Introduces Bill to Expand Use of Historic Vehicles
Legislation (A.B. 1495) that would amend the state’s current law governing historic motor vehicles to permit their use for pleasure driving one day per week has been introduced in the New Jersey State Assembly by Assemblyman John Burzichelli (asmburzichelli@njleg.org). Under current New Jersey law, use of historic vehicles is strictly limited to exhibitions and educational purposes by the owner.
We Urge You to Contact Members of the House Committee on Transportation, Public Work and Independent Authorities (List Below) in Support of A.B. 1495- A.B. 1495 will provide New Jersey historic vehicle owners the opportunity to enjoy recreational driving on weekdays in addition to the other sanctioned uses.
- A.B. 1495 provides added incentive to owners of qualifying historic vehicles (more than 25-years old) to register as “historic.”
STATE LEGISLATORS UNITE TO SUPPORT AUTOMOTIVE HOBBY
State legislators around the country with a common goal to support the motor vehicle hobby have joined the State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. Supported by the SEMA Government Affairs office, the Caucus is a bi-partisan group of state lawmakers whose common thread is a love and appreciation for automobiles.
Caucus members are raising the motor vehicle hobby's profile in the state legislatures and in the eyes of the public. Working in state capitals, many of these legislators have sought to preserve and protect the hobby by seeking the amendment of existing motor vehicle statutes and creating new programs to safeguard and expand the hobby. Over the past several years, their work has brought a series of significant legislative accomplishments for the vehicle enthusiast community on issues ranging from equipment standards to registration classifications, and from emissions test exemptions to hobbyist rights. By joining the Caucus, these legislators have demonstrated their commitment to upholding the rights of vehicle enthusiasts. In addition, hobbyists are quickly able to identify which state legislators have chosen to be recognized for their support of this great American hobby.
To learn more about the caucus or SEMA’s comprehensive legislative program,
visit www.semasan.com.
SEMA eNews, Vol. 9, No. 42 – October 18, 2006
LATEST PROGRESS ON GLOBAL VEHICLE STANDARDS
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a status report on global talks to harmonize motor vehicle safety standards. The current focus is on establishing a single regulation for motorcycle brakes but there a number of other issues on the long-term agenda as well. They include harmonized standards for safety glazing, lighting equipment, head restraints, vehicle braking systems, and vehicle displays/controls.
Harmonized safety standards have been a goal of the international automotive community for more than half-a-century as a means to streamline manufacturing costs and produce best safety practices. The United Nations established a “World Forum” in 1953 to pursue the objective. With little tangible progress to its credit, NHTSA proposed an agreement in 1998 to jump-start the effort. The agreement envisions global technical regulations (GTR) for safety, emissions, energy conservation, theft prevention, equipment, and parts, including exhaust systems, tires, engines, warning devices, and child restraint systems. The agreement allows the United States to be the frontrunner in the creation of safety regulations and ensures that U.S. standards are considered as world standards for vehicles.
The World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations had at least one success when it created uniform standards for vehicle door latches, hinges, and locks. The World Forum will next meet in November and working parties on the various issues will continue to meet throughout the year. For more information, please contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.
