Contact:	Clarence Mills (202) 543-1440 c.mills@att.net
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin PR-15 March 3, 2009

California Board to Present Enhanced Cash for Clunkers Program

New Funds Would Not Be Used for Repair

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 3, 2009 - The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will hold a workshop in Sacramento March 4 to present its newly developed program aimed at getting old, polluting vehicles off the road.

The Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program, developed in consultation with the Bureau of Automotive Repair, would provide about $30 million annually – through 2015 – to expand California’s existing voluntary vehicle retirement program.

There are two key points to the Enhanced Fleet Modernization Program: First, to expand the existing statewide program, vehicles no longer would be subjected to a smog check and the requirement that they must fail the emissions test to participate. Second, additional compensation would be made available to targeted consumers in areas with the most severe air quality problems. This would provide an incentive to retire vehicles that are probably the worst polluters and to purchase newer, cleaner vehicles.

These new monies would only be used for retiring vehicles and would not include a repair option. The current program does include a repair option, and it will continue as long as the current program is in effect.

To learn more about the newly proposed program and workshop, go to www.TakingTheHill.com.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.

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