Legislative Bulletin - September 1, 2010

TRALA Pushes New Truck Incentives With Obama Administration

TRALA was joined by representatives of truck dealers, truck, engine, equipment manufacturers and truck operators in meeting with senior officials of the Obama Administration to discuss financial incentives that would benefit the industry. The meeting followed several high-profile visits by President Obama to truck dealerships and manufacturing facilities in recent months.

“Financial incentives making the purchase and lease of new trucks more affordable would both create jobs and accelerate the introduction of clean diesel technology onto the nation’s highways,” TRALA President and CEO Tom James told the group.

Among the meeting participants from the Obama Administration was Ron Bloom, Senior Counselor to the President for Manufacturing Policy. Several incentives were discussed, including possible tax credits for new truck purchases and relief from the 12% excise tax on new truck purchases. Industry representatives explained to the officials the cost increases associated with recent federal regulatory action and the value of promoting the acquisition of new trucks through financial incentives. TRALA stated its strong support for an incentive policy that will help in getting new clean diesel trucks put into service, and also create employment opportunities in the manufacturing, supplier, and dealer networks in the trucking industry.

The uncertainties surrounding the remaining months of the current Congress, including the November 2010 elections, make it impossible to predict whether truck-related financial incentives will be considered this year. However, the meeting provided an excellent opportunity to share information about the status and needs of the truck renting and leasing industry, as well as the other truck industry sectors represented.

In addition to James, TRALA members Cummins, Inc., Daimler Trucks North America, Navistar, Inc., Volvo Trucks North America, and Minuteman Trucks, Inc. of Walpole, Massachusetts participated in the meeting. The American Truck Dealers, National Truck Equipment Association and the Owner Operator Independent Driver Association were also participants.

For more information on TRALA’s efforts to enact financial incentives for the purchase and lease of new trucks, please contact TRALA’s Joe Sculley at jsculley@trala.org or by calling (703) 299-9120.