By Kristyne E. Demske
C & G Staff Writer

METRO DETROIT — Hoping to help consumers, the environment and the economy, Republican U.S. Rep. Candice Miller has teamed up with two congressional Democrats to introduce an act designed to get more fuel-efficient vehicles on the roads.

The Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Cars (CARS) Act was introduced March 18 by Miller, R-Harrison Township, and Rep. Betty Sutton, D-Ohio, and co-sponsored by Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, to give consumers cash vouchers for the purchase of new vehicles when they turn in an automobile eight years old or older.

“This will stimulate auto sales, which is clearly the way forward,” Miller said in a conference call with the other representatives and members of the media. “In Michigan we see the harsh realities. We live with it every day. (But) even though states like Michigan or Ohio might feel the most, the decline of auto sales are impacting every state in the nation.”

Its sponsors are hoping to fast track the legislation. They’re not sure where the funding will come from, but said money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) might be a way to move it forward.

“All three of us will be keeping our ears and eyes open for opportunities that will get this bill introduced, a full debate and, hopefully, enacted as soon as possible,” Braley said.

Customers shopping for new vehicles would get cash vouchers from $3,000 to $7,500, depending on the new vehicle’s level of fuel efficiency. The new vehicle must be more fuel-efficient than the old one turned in, which would then be scrapped and used for parts and materials, saving the dealership from having to re-sell it.

The new vehicle must cost less than $35,000 and be manufactured in North America. But, the voucher can also be used for mass transit fares instead of a new vehicle if the customer wishes.

“Germany actually had a similar incentive to do this, and it actually increased sales in February by more than 20 percent,” Miller said.

She said there are countless American-made vehicles that are very fuel-efficient, including the Ford Fusion Hybrid, at 40 miles per gallon; the Ford Escape Hybrid; and conventional gasoline vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Sebring built in Sterling Heights, that get more than 30 miles to the gallon.

“This bill, I believe, will provide a huge economic stimulus and boost the auto industry,” Miller said.

“This bill represents a rejection of some of the arguments that we’ve heard in the past where it’s been sort of understood that you can’t necessarily look out for jobs and improve our environment at the same time,” Sutton said. “This helps consumers and preserves jobs and the environment.”

Miller said if they could pull just 10 percent of the “older, big block V-8” engines off the road, there is the potential to save more than a billion gallons of gas a year, reducing carbon emissions and America’s dependence on foreign oil.

There’s no word yet how long the incentives would last; Sutton said that would have to be worked out by Congress. But a portion of the bill alludes to big incentives from 2011 to 2016 for vehicles getting 100 miles to the gallon, like the Chevrolet Volt.

“Our goal is to develop legislation that jump-starts the American economy,” Sutton said. “It’s designed to help make cars more affordable for consumers. It’s also designed to be fair and equitable across the major manufacturers making cars across North America.”

You can reach Staff Writer Kristyne E. Demske at [log in to unmask] or at (586) 498-1041.\

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