DEALER NEWS & INFORMATION
REGULATORY & LEGAL UPDATES
U.S. auto sales are likely to remain sluggish and may fall again next year due to a deepening slump in the housing market that is eroding consumer confidence, say automakers, consulting and investment firms.
Listed here are several articles pertaining to the auto industry that appeared recently in newspapers and other media outlets across the nation Program aims to cut CO2 Slow auto sales predicted for 2008 Bush should step up on warming Op Ed: Consequences Russell George, executive director of the Colorado Department of Transportation, instituted better lines of communication within the department in order to make things work more efficiently and to save taxpayer dollars. FUEL RULE FOCAL POINT: It's Ann Arbor lab's job to develop tougher standards Along Plymouth Road, down the street from Pfizer's emptying Ann Arbor drug research center, a laboratory plays a key role in the debate over new standards for vehicle emissions and fuel economy. Scores of scientists, researchers and economists at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's vehicle testing lab have been working since May to help develop new rules aimed at reducing gasoline use. SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Linda Moudakas drives a Mercedes-Benz sedan with 140,000 miles on the odometer. For her next car, she's thinking of downsizing. Really downsizing. She's in line to buy something that looks like a glorified golf cart, a car so short it can theoretically be legally parked head first along a curb. No hood. No trunk. Behold, the Smart car. Auto dealer helps soldiers come home for Christmas SIOUX FALLS -- A Sioux Falls auto dealer is helping 185 National Guard soldiers come home to South Dakota for the holidays. CADA
forwards news articles and opinion columns of interest through Open Road
The Fort Collins Coloradoan, Nov. 27
While environmentalists are pushing the adoption of tighter emissions control on new cars to reach Gov. Ritter's air quality objectives, auto dealers are saying the plan does not take the dirtiest cars off the road.
The Detroit News, Nov. 23
The Denver Post, Nov. 23
The science is in. A Nobel prize-winning panel of 2,500 of the world's leading climate researchers last week spoke with one voice in describing the devastation that will be caused if the world continues to spew greenhouse gases into the atmosphere at the current rate.
The Pueblo Chieftain, Nov. 20
He did this without any prodding from Gov. Bill Ritter. Rather, it started out with a request from workers to discuss a faulty new computer system installed during the previous administration.
Detroit Free Press, Nov. 25
Smart car has huge hurdles
Detroit Free Press, Nov. 22
The Daily Republic, Nov. 22
to inform members of current events. These in no way reflect the views,
opinions,
and/or positions of CADA or its member dealers. They are sent for
informational
and educational purposes only.
support el paso county's
Senator cadman
Plan to attend the swearing-in reception and fundraiser for Rep. (soon to be Senator) Bill Cadman. The event will take place at CADA Headquarters on Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. Sen. Cadman will now represent Senate District 10 in El Paso County. We hope that you will be able to join us and show the industry’s support for someone who has in the past, supported our industry. CLICK HERE to see the invitation.
* * * * * * * * *
Take
part
in a
special
fundraiser
for
Rep.
Spencer
Swalm
of
House
District
37
State Rep. Swalm has been an avid supporter of our industry and we need you to come and show your support! The event will take place just after the adjournment of the Dec. 11 Legislative Policy Committee meeting at 9 a.m. at CADA headquarters at 290 E Speer Blvd. If you cannot attend, please consider making a contribution to “Citizens for Spencer Swalm.” RSVP to Nancy Burke at nancy.burke@cadaonline.org or by calling 303.457.5115.
* * * * * * * * *
Industry concerns to be discussed with u.s. congressman udall
CADA
has
scheduled
a
meeting
with
Congressmen
Mark
Udall
(D)
CD-2,
to
discuss
our
concerns
and
subsequent
challenges
that
our
industry
faces
with
the
possibility
of
higher
emissions
standards
at
the
federal
level
as a
component
of
the
energy
bill.
The
meeting
is
scheduled
for
Monday,
Dec.
17,
2007, from
4 -
4:30
p.m.
at
CADA
Headquarters
290
E.
Speer
Blvd.,
Denver,
CO
80203.
Talking points that support the Hill-Terry legislation include:
Our industry supports the Hill-Terry bill (H.R. 2927) to reform the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program and to improve the fuel economy of passenger cars and light trucks. The Hill-Terry bill will require substantial increases in fuel economy while protecting the jobs and benefits of active and retired auto workers. It will improve fuel economy by as much as 40 percent. By establishing reasonable fuel economy standards that are economically and technologically feasible, H.R. 2927 ensures that financially troubled automakers will be able to afford the retooling costs, and will not be forced to close more plants or slash health care benefits for active and retired workers. Furthermore, by maintaining the distinction in the CAFE program between passenger cars and light trucks, the Hill-Terry bill ensures that consumers will still be able to choose a vehicle that is right for them.
Please oppose the more extreme measure introduced by Rep. Markey (H.R. 1506). This proposal is not economically feasible for the auto companies, and would threaten the jobs and benefits of active and retired workers in the auto industry. By mandating a 35-mpg standard for the combined passenger car and light truck fleets by 2018, the Markey bill would force GM, Ford and Chrysler to curtail production of pickup trucks, SUVs and minivans, resulting in more plant closings and jobs loss.
If you look at what we are supporting today, it's an increase in CAFE of almost 40 percent, and that's unprecedented. Please protect the jobs and benefits of active and retired auto workers. Support the sensible Hill-Terry bill (H.R. 2927).
If you are interested in sharing our industry’s concerns with Congressman Udall, please contact Nancy Burke at nancy.burke@cadaonline.org or by calling 303.457.5115.
Dealership parts, service and body shops often receive and/or ship hazardous materials, including air bags, seat belt pretensioners, chemicals, solvents, oils, wastes, and batteries (this includes lithium batteries found in remote, keyless-entry devices, tire pressure monitors, and other equipment). Dealership employees who receive, ship, or transport hazmat must be trained every three years regarding the Department of Transportation’s packaging, labeling, and shipping rules. Dealerships that fail to handle their hazmat properly have often faced fines.
Compliance assistance is available through NADA’s A Dealer Guide to the Federal Hazmat Transportation Regulations, L37 as well as in the “Hazmat” section on the Regulatory Affairs page of
www.nada.org (member login required). Dealers may also call the DOT Hazardous Material Information Center at 800.467.4922, and visit the Portable Rechargeable Battery Association at www.prba.org for specific battery related information.
Additionally, contact KPA, CADA’s endorsed provider for comprehensive, dealership-specific compliance services covering environmental regulations, OSHA, Department of Transportation handling requirements, employee safety, and hazardous materials handling.
ţ
CADA Endorsed Provider
Contact: KPA , Scot Corn
303.228.8772, 303.875.5634 (cell), scorn@kpaonline.com
1380 Forest Park Circle, Suite 140, Lafayette CO 80026
* * * * * * * * *
IRS Issues guidance on tool
reimbursement plans
The Office of General Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service issued an advisory memorandum addressing when and whether “purported reimbursements” under a tool plan may be excluded from wages for employment tax purposes. If you have or are considering a tool reimbursement program, you and your tax professional should consult this memorandum. It can be accessed at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-wd/0745018.pdf
* * * * * * * * **
NADA Regulatory Review
Available Online
NADA’s
Regulatory Review,
which is published quarterly
by the NADA Public and Legal
Affairs Groups, contains the
latest federal regulatory
developments that affect
franchised new-vehicle
dealers.
Regulatory Review
is now available on NADA's
Web site at
www.nada.org,
under "Publications” (member
login required).
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If you have questions on any legal or regulatory topics, please contact:
-
Tim Jackson, President, tim.jackson@cadaonline.org, 303.282.1448
-
Tammi McCoy, VP, tammi.mccoy@cadaonline.org, 303.282.1449
|
DISCLAIMER:
CADA is not authorized
to dispense legal advice. The Information contained in this weekly email
is intended to provide important updates and reminders regarding
statutes, litigation, and regulations. CADA always advises that dealers
|
| Event Description | Date/Time | Location |
| Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) Meeting |
Tuesday, Dec. 11
7:30 a.m. |
William D. Barrow Building (CADA Headquarters) 290 E. Speer Blvd, 80203 (SW Corner of Grant/Speer) |
|
Fundraiser for Rep. Spencer Swalm |
Tuesday,
Dec. 11
9 a.m. (immediately following LPC Meeting) |
William D. Barrow Building (CADA Headquarters) 290 E. Speer Blvd, 80203 (SW Corner of Grant/Speer) |
|
Rep.
Bill Cadman Swearing-In Reception |
Tuesday,
Dec. 11 5:30 p.m. |
William D. Barrow Building (CADA Headquarters) 290 E. Speer Blvd, 80203 (SW Corner of Grant/Speer) CLICK HERE to view the RSVP form. |
| NADA 91st Annual Convention & Expo | Feb.9-12, 2008 |
Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA |
|
Denver International
Auto Show |
March 26-30, 2008 | Colorado Convention Center, Denver |
| CADA Golf Event |
Monday, Sept. 8, 2008 |
Columbine Country Club 17 Fairway Lane Columbine Valley, 80123 |
Have you or anyone else at your dealership won an award recently? Has your dealership provided any outstanding community service? We want to recognize such accomplishments. Please send us a brief write-up of the award or event along with any other information to milestones@cadaonline.org. Also include your contact information for further follow-up.