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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: August 23, 2021 Contact: Sandy Blalock, sandy@a-r-a.org Subaru’s Positions Against Recycled and Aftermarket Parts is a Disservice to Consumers Today, the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) strongly opposes Subaru’s recently published position statement that misleads consumers and effectively bans the use of safe and economical alternative repair parts. ARA’s Executive Director, Sandy Blalock, notes that “Auto manufacturers have become more aggressive in their efforts to force ROE-Recycled Original Equipment® and aftermarket parts out of the market. These statements and tactics stifle competition, greatly increase costs to consumers and in turn, can result in more repairable vehicles being considered uneconomical to repair. Manufacturer repair restrictions have become such a significant issue that both the Biden Administration and FTC have taken unambiguous steps to increase antitrust and consumer protection enforcement against manufacturer repair restrictions.” ARA’s incoming President, Marty Hollingshead, would like to point out that “Subaru recycled original equipment parts are the very same parts manufactured by Subaru and that Subaru recycled original equipment parts have a long history of being utilized in vehicle repairs.” Subaru recycled original equipment parts are the same parts specifically engineered by Subaru to provide maximum safety and optimal fit and functionality, which help maintain the high standards relating to a vehicle’s structural integrity. ARA strongly believes that consumers have the right to choose where they can have their vehicles repaired and with repair parts that are safe and cost-effective alternatives to new OEM parts. Scott Robertson, ARA’s President stated, “In light of President Biden and the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recent actions to increase competition in repair markets, ARA is alarmed by Subaru’s decision to issue a position statement that unambiguously denounces the use of any repair part other than a new OEM part. Last month, President Biden issued an executive order that called for more than a dozen federal agencies to address manufacturer repair restrictions and the harmful effects these restrictions have on consumer choice. Along with President Biden’s focus on increasing competition by cracking down on anticompetitive practices from manufacturers, the FTC issued a new policy last month that will cause the agency to increase scrutiny on consumers’ right to repair.” Subaru’s decision to issue a new position statement in the wake of President Biden and the FTC’s renewed focus on anti-consumer manufacturer-led repair restrictions is disappointing and appears to ignore this guidance. what parts are utilized and who they want to repair their vehicles. Since 1943, the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) represents an industry dedicated to the efficient removal and reuse of “green” ROE- Recycled Original Equipment® and the proper recycling of inoperable motor vehicles. ARA represents the interests of over 4,500 auto recycling facilities in the United States and seventeen other countries around the world. With programs such as the Certified Automotive Recycler Program (CAR), Green Recycled Parts, and other partnerships, ARA members continue to provide consumers with quality, low-cost alternatives for vehicle replacement parts, while preserving our environment for a “green” tomorrow.
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 The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) recognizes Earth Day today celebrating positive steps forward between the professional automotive recycling industry and automobile manufacturers in advancing environmental sustainability through the automotive supply chain. ARA’s recent efforts to engage auto manufacturers on the topic of sustainability and vehicle life cycle is highlighted in a new “Advocacy in Action” video released by the Association.
(The video can be seen at www.a-r-a.org on the homepage). “Earlier this year, ARA hosted representatives from General Motors (GM) at ARA Member facility Fox Auto Parts in Belleville, Michigan,” said ARA Executive Director, Sandy Blalock. “The facility tour was part of ongoing discussions between ARA and several automakers about the vital role professional automotive recyclers play in ensuring that vehicles are processed efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner when they reach the end-of-life stage.” The tour walked the guests through the entire process of receiving, inventorying, dismantling, storage, sales, shipping and even crushing end-of-life vehicles. Several of the GM guests were fascinated to see how much of the vehicle was recycled and resold, and one guest commented, “It makes our job to focus on the areas that we can do better. Throughout the whole tour I was thinking of ways that we could design up front to make things easier to disassemble … what’s in that ‘fluff’ that we could start to eliminate.” In a high-level presentation to the Supplier Partnership for the Environment, with representatives from Toyota, Honda, and Ford in attendance, Blalock presented the critical steps in automotive recycling, and noted where vehicle manufacturers and auto recyclers could collaborate in the future. These important steps are vital to building strong relationships between the automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers and Professional Automotive Recyclers who inventory and resell quality Recycled Original Equipment (ROE®) auto parts from vehicles, and then send the hulls to be further processed at scrap metal facilities who recycle the metal. Automobiles are among the most recycled products in the world. When a consumer chooses economical ROE® automotive parts in their mechanical and collision repairs, vehicle owners help preserve natural resources, reduce air and water pollution, and divert material from landfills. It is good for the earth, and good for the wallet. “As the world continues to focus on environmental stewardship as celebrated on Earth Day, and automakers work towards zero gas emissions vehicles for the future, we want it to be known that professional automotive recyclers are part of the sustainability process, and bring valuable solutions to the table,” said ARA President Scott Robertson. “The environmental impact of materials, how parts and assemblies are dismantled and reutilized in vehicle repair, separating out what is biodegradable and what can be used to make new products, these are all aspects of vehicle engineering to which ARA members can offer valuable input. We look forward to more collaboration in the future.” ARA’s mentor program offers a participating MENTEE the opportunity to receive ongoing knowledge and insight from a fellow recycler. By RD Hopper There are common problems that all face. Everyone has learned from experiences that could help another facing the same problem.  ARA Developed the Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program to facilitate auto recyclers assisting fellow auto recyclers in reaching their goals. Recyclers helping recyclers is a longstanding industry heritage, especially amongst the membership of the ARA. Two years ago, the ARA leadership found this type of support, organized into in a more structured program, was needed and important enough to start the mentor program, which assists members in getting help to reach their current goals. Getting the Most For this process to be effective, the mentee needs to consider certain things before beginning the program: GET MANAGEMENT BUY-IN: It is crucial that the management team of the mentee’s business be on board, as the only way to improve is to be able to agree on what needs improvement and tackle it. Management must be willing to spend the time and effort it takes to achieve the desired results. Everything in business is a team effort. There are no easy buttons. If everyone is not pulling together in the same direction, it will be impossible to lead the team to achieve successful results. BE OPEN TO NEW IDEAS: Auto recycling facilities come in all shapes and sizes with different business models, in different locations, using different operating software. There are different personalities with many philosophies on what a successful business looks like. There is no cookie-cutter way of managing a company that is going to work the same everywhere. No one person is going to show up and have the best answer for the situation every time. That being said, many successful people are very strong in different aspects of recycling. While fundamental truths apply across the board and there are common problems that all face, these can be successfully managed in many different ways. Everyone has learned from experiences that could help another facing the same problem. FOLLOW THROUGH PUTTING INTO ACTION: Each recycler must develop the processes and the people to satisfy the needs in its market and satisfy customer expectations. In addition, this plan must cover overhead and be profitable. Each recycler must measure each part of the process and people to evaluate changes and assess results. The processes must be “scalable,” and thank you Ron Sturgeon for that piece of advice. Each recycler must determine what is most important to their family at work and at home. Easy button? No. Hard work and opportunity? Yes. When the decision is made, everyone must be willing to devote the resources, time, and effort to work in the same direction. ARA will do its very best to help find a fellow recycler to share their insights and help another recycler establish key processes. Believe it or not, these mentors gladly help others and, at their own expense, to pay back the many people that have helped them along the way. If recyclers are willing to share, learn, and invest in the three P’s – people, process, product, as Marty Hollingshead always says – then everyone wins. RD Hopper is the owner of Sonny’s Auto Salvage in Jacksonville, AK, the company he and his wife Jennifer bought in 1998. Hopper is also a past president of the ARA. How do I Enroll in the Program? PEER-TO-PEER MENTORING is offered through ARA’s effective empowerment program. Monitored by the ARA, mentoring is available to any auto recycling facility owner or manager who is looking for a fresh perspective on their business strategy and daily business operations. Mentors & Mentees are paired based on criteria developed to create a successful match. To enroll as a mentor or mentee: 1. Email staff@a-r-a.org to receive more information on the program, as well as to request an application to mentor or be mentored. 2. Return your application to enroll in the year-long program. You will be matched with a Mentor or Mentee. It is the responsibility of paired parties to develop communication systems that work for both parties.  Do you have the right stuff? What does it takes to be a MENTOR? By Marty Hollingshead  A good mentor is a combination of a coach, a counselor and, at times, a drill sergeant, but aren’t these all qualities we already have from managing our businesses and our people? You need to know when to teach, when to get tough, and when to be understanding and supportive. Back in 2018, ARA launched the Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program. RD Hopper was the founder of this program. His vision was to bring together some of the best automotive recycling operators to act as mentors to those that were in need of help. The program’s main objective is to improve our industry one recycler at a time. The mission is to mentor those that were new to the industry, some that may be struggling, and lastly, some that simply wanted to improve.
As we make our industry better as a whole as our main goal, and we all do a better job, the benefits will be access to greater opportunities, and hopefully we will erase negative stigmas of the past that our industry suffers. Now in our third year, we are looking for additional recyclers to be mentors who want to give back to the industry that benefits them. And, with inquiries from across the pond, we are even looking to scale this into an international program. Mentoring Means Business One of the great things about our industry and what sets it apart from others, is that even though we are competitors, we are always willing to share ideas and help one another. For those that are applying as mentors, obviously we are looking for the best. Usually, when someone is a good operator, they are also very busy with their own business. For those that are interested in becoming a mentor, you have to know and understand this: This is a rigorous program and can have a positive or a negative impact on those looking for help. With that being said, it is a serious commitment from both parties. Everyone involved will have to hold up their end for their efforts to succeed. The bottom line is this: it will require hard work and an honest effort from all involved. Honestly, if you are not willing to invest the time and work required, this program is not for you. Yet if you are, this program will most definitely be a benefit to you, and also to those you are helping. Success Isn’t Cheap Mentors must be willing to make sacrifices of their time, work, and resources to help others. This will require numerous phone calls with your mentee, as well as being able to do an evaluation on their business to understand their strengths and weaknesses, and to develop a plan of action. Obviously, there will be different methods, all depending on the needs of who you are mentoring. The focus will be on the three P’s – people, process, and product. You will also need to find out what their goals are, short-term (within the next year), and long-term (their 5-year plan). You may have to help them set realistic expectations, as well as monitor their progress to keep them focused and on-track with the task at hand. Hopefully when travel restrictions ease, we can continue with site visits, but at the very least, you will have to be readily available for any questions or concerns that your mentee may have. The Rewards are Great A good mentor is a combination of a coach, a counselor and, at times, a drill sergeant, but aren’t these all qualities we already have from managing our businesses and our people? You need to know when to teach, when to get tough, and when to be understanding and supportive. On a personal note, I can say firsthand that I have learned as much from the people that I have mentored as they have learned from me. You will develop long-term, lasting relationships with these people, and you will have a sense of fulfillment knowing that you are giving back and helping others. When this program began, RD told me that if we could save just one recycler, it will be a success. He also said, “Seeing people willing to give their time and resources to the ARA mentoring program; to selflessly invest in the future of other owners and this industry as a whole, has made me feel honored to be a part of ARA and this industry. This is a transitional time, and these mentors have shown me that those who are willing to adapt and improve their businesses will survive. I am grateful to those that have asked for help to improve, and for those volunteering to be mentors. They both have inspired me to do the same.” I encourage anyone who feels that they have “The Right Stuff” to be a mentor to the industry to contact Jessica Andrews at jessica@a-r-a.org to apply. The ARA Vision: Train, Educate, Advocate. Support your State and Local Associations! Support ARA! Most importantly, support our flag, our military, our frontline workers, first-responders, and our American values! Martin “Marty” Hollingshead is President of Northlake Auto Recyclers, Hammond, IN, and is the First Vice President of the Automotive Recyclers Association.  ARA Honorary Lifetime Member Mike French, Mike French & Company, Inc. Retires. Donates Legacy Publications to the ARA Auto Recycler’s Toolbox Magazine® and Virtual Auto Recycler Trade Show™ Now Part of ARA Publishing Program  ARA is honored to announce that longtime industry supporter and ARA Honorary Lifetime Member Mike French, who is also a longtime contributor to Automotive Recycling magazine, has generously donated the Auto Recycler’s Toolbox Magazine® and the Virtual Auto Recycler Trade Show™ to ARA. French will be retiring effective February 28, 2021 and announced the donation of his popular industry magazine and online trade show platform in a press release this week.
“Mike and his family have been strong supporters of ARA and this industry for as long as I can remember,” said ARA Executive Director, Sandy Blalock. “Our leadership and staff is humbled that Mike would choose to transfer the Auto Recycler’s Toolbox®, the online Virtual Auto Recycler Trade Show™ and accompanying website over to ARA. We are committed to preserving the integrity of these communication platforms as we integrate them with the Association’s overarching communications strategy to support automotive recycling businesses, including services and suppliers to the industry, as well as promoting the use of Recycled Original Equipment® auto parts.” MF&CO has operated since 1982 and launched Auto Recycler’s Toolbox® in 2007 as “The Auto Recycler’s Trade Show in Print®,” which served as a cornerstone of MF&CO. French felt compelled to help auto recyclers who were disconnected from others with quality information to help them succeed. The publication quickly grew as a widely-read nationwide publication with the aim to deliver all the aspects of a trade show experience to those that are unable to attend in-person industry events. MF&CO then launched the Virtual Auto Recycler Trade Show™ in 2020, to offer more tradeshow-like experiences, such as video presentations, demos, and more. “ARA’s current publishing program serves as exclusive ARA member benefits,” says Caryn Smith, CEO of Driven By Design LLC, who has supported ARA’s publishing and communications efforts for over 20 years. “We are especially excited to assist ARA to publish the Toolbox® and associated websites that reach beyond the current ARA membership audience. With the support of loyal Toolbox® writers and industry suppliers, we want to continue to offer all automotive recyclers and suppliers on the mailing list with quality information that will help them thrive. Those to love the Toolbox® will continue to enjoy it as a quality industry resource.” å The only place to buy replacement repair auto parts was at a junkyard, but we never improved our image.  This article originally ran in AutoRecyclingWorld.com on January 11, 2021.
Our industry has an identity problem. Most of the general population has little knowledge of the benefits we offer and has preconceived notions about auto recycling. We are the most misunderstood industry in the world. Unfortunately, many of the first auto recyclers began as an offshoot from an unrelated business plan – some were rag merchants, others paper and some scrap dealers. There were very little, if any, standards of environmental or quality control. We were the place that collected junk, hence the name “junkyard.” During World War II, all manufacturing was geared toward the production of war support products. The only place to buy replacement repair auto parts was at a junkyard, but we never improved our image. People started to buy our products more and more, but we never improved our processes. Recycling end-of-life vehicles was a time-consuming, dirty process mostly done by hand. Just imagine chopping up a car with a hatchet by hand, not paying too much attention as to where the oil, gasoline and other fluids flowed. We were on par with the trash dumps, but handling old abandoned vehicles. There are many auto recycling facilities that never evolved into the modern professional auto recycler of today. These facilities most likely are not computerized, do not follow environmental protocols and are an eyesore to their neighbors. The unknowing consumer might think that all auto recyclers operate and look the same. Most of these operators die off when new generations inherit the junkyard, while some are newly formed as illegal operators working out of chop shops or tow yard locations. Whatever the case, we are often judged by the lowest common denominator. Often we have long-standing customers who forget about the many great parts we supplied to them and latch onto the one part that failed after installation. We do a pretty good job in promoting our industry to those who know about us, including fellow recyclers, insurance companies, and body and mechanical shops. The problem here is that in most instances we are preaching to the choir. Body and mechanical shops have a love/hate relationship with us – they hate us when our parts are mandated and love us when they are fixing their own vehicle and want to save money. Lots of times the consumer formulates their opinion of our parts from a shop writing the estimate. Our parts are classified as “junk” and why would you take the chance with a worn-out part. Some even have signs saying they don’t perform repairs with junkyard parts. We have allowed the industry that installs our parts to formulate the consumer’s perception of our product. In the past, every time you saw a salvage yard in the movies, there was a drug deal or someone was being shot and thrown into the trunk of a car. Unfortunately, movies, TV shows and the media can formulate people’s opinions for the good and bad. It seems like after getting a bad reputation, it takes forever to make it good. I don’t think we have a bad reputation, just a misunderstanding of the benefits of our industry. Next time you take an Uber, ask the driver if they would utilize our parts in repairs. Better yet, ask a waiter their opinion, but be ready to explain why our parts are good for their wallet and the environment. An educated consumer is our best customer. Just imagine if every salvage yard around the world started promoting the benefits of our industry to the consumer and the “not yet” consumer. Ideology is formatted early in life, let’s reach out to the younger generation. They might not own a car, but they are zealot environmentalists, the perfect match for our industry. We must be viewed as stewards of the environment as a carbon-negative industry, not as the polluters that our forefathers portrayed. We should all be utilizing social media in promoting our industry, it’s cheap and far-reaching. Call your local news media and offer a tour and story on the benefits of our industry. Do the same with your town leaders and planners. Maybe we could all offer public tours on World Auto Recycling Day on September 18th! Perceptions are easy to form but difficult to change. Scott Robertson Jr. 2020-21 ARA President Thank YOU to all of the EDGE 2020 Sponsors, Exhibitors, Speakers and Attendees that helped make last week’s 77th Annual ARA Convention & Exposition a huge success! Close to 500 ARA members participated in the industry’s largest virtual event of the year, and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive! “On day two, I was so excited I asked key staff members to sit with me to view the seminars targeting their area of responsibility.” “The seminars were very informative! It was hard to pick between which one to attend. I felt the fire of motivation re-ignite again. It stirred my mind on what we need to be focusing on in the long run-outside the world of COVID." Couldn’t join us last week? You can now register to receive on demand access to all recorded Educational Sessions, Tech Talks, Keynote Sessions, as well as enjoy the Awards Gala video, all for $199 per person! Access to all uploaded content – videos, flyers, product demos – from our Exhibitors is still available in the virtual Expo Hall. Hear from industry experts, learn from your peers about what's working and what's not working for their businesses, access new training, and finish the year off strong. Content will be available ON DEMAND until November 30th - engage from the comfort of your home or office, regardless of time zone! REGISTER FOR ON DEMAND ACCESS: https://s3.goeshow.com/ara/edge/2020/registration_form.cfm  “In light of the most challenging year in history, why wouldn’t you take advantage of ALL your options?”  The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) announced today that a growing number of professional automotive recyclers and recycling industry suppliers have registered for the upcoming 77th Annual ARA Convention & Exposition, one of the industry’s only live training and trade show experiences of 2020. Originally scheduled to take place at the Peppermill Resort & Casino in Reno, Nevada, the event transitioned into an all virtual experience and Association leaders are excited about the new opportunities associated with an online platform.
Attendees can register at https://s3.goeshow.com/ara/edge/2020/registration_form.cfm. “For the first time, we have the capability to help and engage with more auto recyclers than ever through the top-notch virtual platform, and bring the ARA Annual Convention right to their office and to their teams,” said Scott Robertson, Jr., ARA President, and owner of Robertson Auto Salvage, in Wareham, MA. “In light of the most challenging year in history, why wouldn’t you take advantage of ALL your options?” adds ARA Executive Director, Sandy Blalock. “ARA has assembled an expert line-up of speakers and peer-leader panels who will share strategies for growth, efficiency, productivity, and recovery from the most challenging year in modern history.” Below is a sampling of scheduled educational sessions: The Future of Auto Recycling Turn the clock forward a few years and imagine the automotive recycling industry of the future. How will we cope with advancements in vehicle design, advanced ADAS technology, artificial intelligent estimating applications, and more? Join four industry veterans as they discuss the possibilities and implications for the recycled parts market. Sales for Self-Service – Thinking Outside the Box Move beyond the social media and data-driven techniques of yesterday and into the future! Learn how rapidly growing concepts such as geofencing and behavioral targeting can drive business your way. 2020 Managing Today’s Virtual Workforce Between the COVID-19 pandemic, health concerns, technological and economic issues facing automotive recyclers across the world, it may be a good time to rethink how you engage with your customers. What does “virtual” mean to you and your business? How do you implement it and measure success? Expectations of Body Shops This session will explore and explain the struggles of day-to-day body shop operations regarding Recycled Original Equipment (ROE) parts. Better understanding these struggles can help you capitalize on the dollars often un-noticed and demonstrate how quality ROE parts can help your body shop customers make more of a profit – for them and for you! Getting the Most from Social Media Learn the importance to your overall business strategy to be present on social media and how and when to leverage various platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, etc). Recyclers Roundtable The popular Recyclers Roundtable is back and in a virtual format! Join three up-and-coming leaders from the global auto recycling community as they moderate a discussion of the most pressing issues facing today’s recycler parts market. The Annual Convention online platform will also feature:
Automotive recyclers can directly connect specific team members, who use the products and services every day, with multiple suppliers at one time to gain information and data to improve their skills or help make critical production decisions. “For 76 years, the ARA Annual Convention and Exposition has been the gathering place for the professional automotive recycling industry and an incredible place to network, learn and conduct business,” adds Robertson. “ARA is the voice of the professional automotive recycling industry and it is our duty to provide information, education and opportunity to automotive recyclers from around the world. If ever there was a year to assist all of the industry, this is it. We hope recyclers of all kinds from all around the globe take advantage of the possibilities within EDGE 2020.” For more information and to register, please visit the ARA website at www.a-r-a.org.  "With the safety of all attendees at the forefront, we have decided to re-direct all of our efforts into transitioning the 77th Annual ARA Convention and Exposition into a virtual conference. We were hopeful that this year’s Convention could remain a live event, but the current state-of-affairs simply presents too much uncertainty and risk at this time.”  The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) announced today that the upcoming 77th Annual Convention & Exposition will be a 100 percent virtual event. Originally scheduled to take place in person at the Peppermill Resort & Cason in Reno, Nevada, Association leaders decided last week to transition into an all virtual event due to ongoing concerns around the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Ultimately, the health and safety of the membership and staff is our top priority,” said ARA Executive Director, Sandy Blalock. “After many discussions, serious consideration, and with the safety of all attendees at the forefront, we have decided to re-direct all of our efforts into transitioning the 77th Annual ARA Convention and Exposition into a virtual conference. We were hopeful that this year’s Convention could remain a live event, but the current state-of-affairs simply presents too much uncertainty and risk at this time.” The dates of the Annual Convention will remain unchanged and ARA is in the process of adapting the full schedule of educational programming, Exposition hours and networking events into a program that will showcase automotive recycling at its best. More details will be released in the coming weeks. “For 76 years, the ARA Annual Convention and Exposition has been the gathering place for the professional automotive recycling industry and an incredible place to network, learn and conduct business,” said ARA President, Scott Robertson. “ARA is the voice of the professional automotive recycling industry and it is our duty to provide information, education and opportunity to automotive recyclers from around the world – even in the midst of a global pandemic. Yes, it will look different, but it will still be the extraordinary experience that our attendees have come to expect year after year.”  Now Accepting Nominations for At-Large Director Seat Representing Canada
The ARA Nominating Committee is now accepting nominations for the At-Large Board of Directors position representing Canada. Current Board member Dalbert Livingstone’s term will conclude at the upcoming Annual Convention in November and ARA greatly thanks Dalbert for his leadership for the past four years. The Director must be an automotive recycler and ARA member in good standing. To recommend someone, please email staff@a-r-a.org. Congress COVID-19 Relief Legislation: Congress is no closer to reaching an agreement on a new COVID-19 relief bill as negotiators from both parties have been unable to agree upon how much federal unemployment supplementation should be provided to those drawing state unemployment benefits. House Democrats have drawn a line in the sand saying that anything short of $600 per-week is unacceptable. Under the CARES Act passed in March, the federal government supplemented state unemployment benefits by $600 per-week until its expiration at the end of July. Democrats are arguing that Republican efforts to reduce the amount of federal supplementation of unemployment benefits will further damage the economy due to reduced consumer spending and that state unemployment systems cannot quickly adapt to a change in unemployment benefits. On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY) stated that he would be open to extending the $600 per-week benefit so long as the White House and House Speaker Pelosi agreed. This is a major development considering Senate Republicans have previously been hesitant to extend the benefits due to some workers making more money on unemployment than at work. Additionally, as part of Senate Republicans’ proposed relief bill, Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced S. 4321. The proposed bill would allow for a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to be distributed to businesses that can show their gross receipts have been reduced by 50% due to COVID-19 – a provision that is being heavily contested by businesses. While the second round of PPP loans is the hot topic of conversation, the bill also permits prior PPP loan recipients who received $150,000 or less to have their loans forgiven if they submit an attestation to their lender that they made a good faith effort to comply with PPP loan requirements (businesses will also need to maintain records relevant to compliance for three years). ARA: Last week, ARA joined a group of more than 480 trade groups representing a broad range of industries to urge Congress to support the business liability protections contained in the SAFE TO WORK Act (S. 4317). ARA has been working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s COVID Liability Coalition to educate Congress on the need for business liability protections due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For a link to the letter sent to Congress click here. Automotive: Last Wednesday, General Motors announced that it had lost roughly $800 million in the second quarter. According to CNBC, the loss reflected a 34% decrease in vehicle sales that can be attributed to a decrease in demand and tight dealer inventories. Ford Motor Company posted a net income of $1.1 billion due to a $3.5 billion gain on an investment in self-driving software Argo AI. However, the automaker took a $1.9 billion hit to its pre-tax earnings during the second quarter independent of its investment in self-driving technology. If you have an article or piece of news that you think is important to automotive recyclers send an email to Emil@a-r-a.org. FOR MORE IMPORTANT INFORMATION, VISIT ARA's COVID-19 DASHBOARD |
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