Contact:	Clarence Mills (202) 543-1440 c.mills@att.net
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin PR-25 March 23, 2009

New Automobile Voucher Program Introduced in Congress

$5,000 Voucher for New Vehicle Purchases

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 23, 2009 - U.S. Reps. Donald Manzullo, R-Ill., and Timothy Ryan, D-Ohio, have introduced the New Automobile Voucher Program to Congress to provide a one-time boost to vehicle sales in 2009. Specifics of The New Automobile Voucher Act of 2009 include:

• It provides an electronic voucher of $5,000 for any new vehicle purchase for a six-month introductory period. The Treasury Department is required to open this program 30 days after the bill's enactment.

• After the initial six months, the voucher would be reduced to $2,500 until the end of 2010 or until the authorization amount is exhausted (whichever comes first).

• This voucher can be used in conjunction with other tax incentives, including the recently restored tax deduction for state and local sales tax paid on the purchase of a new vehicle and those credits designed to encourage the purchase of alternative-fueled vehicles.

• This voucher would be limited to vehicles that cost under $50,000.

• The Treasury Department would establish an electronic portal with automobile dealerships to process and verify requests for vouchers. Consumers would have the voucher applied at the point of sale at the automobile dealership.

• Total cost of the bill is capped at $75 billion.

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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