The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA), Manassas, Va., has joined the ranks of companies and associations calling for an extension of the time required to crush vehicles generated through the Cash for Clunkers trade-in program.
Under the initial Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) program regulations, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) prescribed a 180-day period for facilities to crush vehicles traded-in under the program. When those rules were issued, the $1 billion program was to run through Nov. 1, 2009. On July 31, 2009,
Congress passed an additional $2 billion in funding for the program, which concluded earlier than expected because of favorable consumer response and lack of additional funding.
According to the ARA, with the final program being three times the size of the original and delays related to automobile dealers holding onto trade-in vehicles longer than originally expected, vehicles have only recently begun flowing into automotive recycling facilities. The association met with the Transportation Department in late September to seek an additional six months to recycle the cars.
According to text on the ARA Web site, it is now calling for the NHTSA to extend the time frame allowed for crushing these vehicles to 365 days. “With so many vehicles going through automotive recycling facilities in such a short period now, there is a high probability that without regulatory relief many valuable parts will be lost to the low-income consumers throughout the country,” the ARA states.