no favors to business community

A disturbing trend has emerged two thirds of the way into the 2007 legislative session. Despite the “Colorado Promise,” hailed as a pro-business platform to solidify and expand Colorado as a national and international business mecca, it seems as though businesses of all sizes have been targeted.

A pattern of bills challenging well established business law have been proposed or passed with little dissention among the Democratic majority. 

  CLICK HERE to read this informative article by CAR lobbyist Jeremy Cottrell. 
 

TIRE PLACARDING REMINDER: RE-PLACARDING MAY BE NECESSARY PRIOR TO
FIRST SALE

FMVSS No. 110 imposes a re-placarding burden on dealerships adding equipment to light-duty vehicles prior to first sale by making them responsible for the accuracy of the tire placards. Specifically, dealerships must install new placards whenever added equipment reduces a vehicle’s capacity weight (i.e., ability to carry cargo) or when replacement tires are installed that differ in size or inflation pressure from those referred to on the original tire placard. This rule has been in effect since Sept. 1, 2005.

When changing tires on vehicles prior to first sale, dealers must replace the tire placard or add a supplemental label if the tire size or pressure changes. When adding weight prior to first sale, dealers need to re-placard if the total weight increases, thus lowering the vehicle’s stated capacity weight rating.

Last April, NHTSA issued an opinion letter clarifying that dealerships need not re-placard used vehicles when making modifications after sale or when installing replacement tires on them.  CLICK HERE to view the April, 2006 letter. 

In January, NHTSA issued a second letter addressing several practical compliance issues.  CLICK HERE to view the January, 2007 letter.  

A final rule is expected to issue next month responding to NADA’s request for a safe harbor applicable to making minor changes to vehicles prior to first sale without triggering the re-placarding mandate. Specifically, NADA has requested a safe harbor of 220 lbs. or 3% of GVWR, whichever is greater (max. 300 lbs for a 10,000 lb. GVWR vehicle). Several other issues are also expected to be addressed in the final rule.

CLICK HERE for more information from the NHTSA Website.  

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EPA MANDATES NEW MILEAGE STICKERS, REVISED FUEL-ECONOMY TEST

Beginning with model year 2008 vehicles, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is mandating the use of a newly designed fuel-economy label, typically found on the Monroney sticker for light-duty vehicles. NADA generally supports this new label, as it should prove more useful to prospective purchasers making fuel-economy comparisons between vehicles. Automakers will begin transitioning to the new label in 2007.

EPA's new fuel-economy test better reflects factors such as quick starts, high speeds, air conditioning use and cold-temperature driving. Though the new label will show fuel-economy numbers that better approximate in-use driving conditions, consumers should continue to recognize that their actual mileage will vary depending on how they drive and maintain their vehicles. And since no two drivers drive the same or in the same conditions, everyone's actual mileage will continue to vary. Dealers are encouraged to send customers to www.MileageWillVary.com, where they can learn more about the new label and become more familiar with factors affecting their MPG.

Dealership sales representatives should familiarize themselves with the new labels and with any manufacturer-specific communications on the topic. Since the fuel-economy numbers are expected to change based on EPA's new test, dealership sales staff should be prepared to caution customers against comparing model year 2007 with 2008 vehicles.  For more information on the new label, also visit www.fueleconomy.gov.

Source: NADA Newswire

CLICK HERE to view a one-page fact sheet regarding the new labels.

If you have additional questions on any legal or regulatory topics, please contact either Tammi McCoy or Tim Jackson:

• Tim Jackson, President, tim.jackson@cadaonline.org, 303.282.1448

• Tammi McCoy, VP, tammi.mccoy@cadaonline.org, 303.282.1449

secrets to creating a super controller

Are you providing your dealer and managers with the reports they really need to make more money? Do you know what reports are crucial to monitoring your dealership and increasing profits?  In this dynamic half-day seminar, noted speaker, former power controller and consultant Sandi Jerome will give you the essential tools and information you need to answer these questions with a resounding yes!

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