FAIRFAX, Va. - The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) has issued a press release highly critical of the “Cash for Clunkers” compromise legislation announced by lawmakers and the White House.

The release stated the current Congressional “Cash for Clunkers” proposal “seeks to restrict the recycling of two major replacement parts — the engine and transmission — harvested from vehicles turned in for end-of-life processing under the program. The reuse of recycled engine and transmission parts -- and not having to produce a new replacement part -- provides a huge benefit to the environment, the equivalent of what it takes to produce 50 million gallons of gasoline or the electrical usage of over 61,000 homes for a year.  Not to mention, the manufacturing of a new car requires energy, which in turn leads to greenhouse gas emissions like carbon dioxide. It is estimated that when one drives a new car out of the showroom that car has already effectively emitted from 3 to 12 tons of carbon dioxide.”

The release further noted, “American consumers and automobile repair businesses purchase these quality recycled vehicle components every day to keep their vehicles running. These businesses and consumers rely on parts from recycled vehicles because of their substantial savings in reduced repair costs and lower insurance premiums, savings from the purchase of a replacement vehicle, and also for the strong environmental benefits. In fact, these two parts alone typically account for some 50 to 60 percent of a professional automotive recycler’s sales — overall automotive recycling is a $22 billion industry in the United States. Thus, Congress should understand the demand for such repair options, and consider the implications of restricting them.” “One would think that Congress would have learned a lesson from the recent home mortgage mess,” said ARA Executive Vice President Michael E. Wilson. “Pushing consumers into vehicles that they cannot afford is not good for anyone – most of all the American taxpayer.”  Wilson added, “The recovery, reuse, and resale of these quality recycled parts must remain readily available to the consumer, who may not want or be able to financially retire their vehicle, and will require access to parts from these vehicles for their future repairs.”