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ACRA Welcomes Two New Car Rental Companies
ACRA moved two steps closer to gaining the support of the entire industry when Avis Budget Group, Inc. and Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group joined the association. Sharon Faulkner, Executive Director of ACRA, stated: “The companies joined at the best of times. The car rental industry is stronger than it has been in a very long time but faces significant issues that require a unified voice with a consistent message.”
Successful 2011 Florida Legislative Session
The 2010-2011 legislative session in Florida has concluded. A number of ACRA-supported victories were achieved, marking a successful legislative session. Highlighted below are five notable accomplishments from the session:
ACRA Successfully has Restrictive Language Removed from State of Florida Transportation Bill
A Florida State bill was proposed to restrict fees charged by rental car companies to consumers who violate toll requirement. In response, a grass roots effort was undertaken by ACRA, its members, and the South Florida Car & Truck Rental Association in a successful attempt to remove the language.
Alabama State Senators Vote No on Car-Rental Tax
State senators who represent Jefferson County voted Thursday against a plan to start collection in the county of a 3 percent tax on vehicle rentals and leases of a year or less. The tax would raise $7.5 million a year, according to an estimate made a decade ago by the Legislative Fiscal Office. The money would go to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex authority.
Joint Letter in Response to November NHTSA Audit Query
A joint letter from the car rental industry was delivered to the NHTSA last week, responding to the release of information obtained from Chrysler and General Motors from a November 2010 Audit Query. The report understates the car rental industry’s response rate in dealing with manufacturer recall notices.
ACRA Releases New Safety Recalls Proposal
A clear policy that will allow car and truck rental, taxi/livery, bus, government and other fleet owners as well as individual owners to adapt proactive and consistent policies to ensure the safe operation of vehicle, through the use of a two-tiered system which can properly categorize each recall by the nature of the defect and the potential for harm.
NHTSA Addresses Rear-Visibility Safety Concerns
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently published in the Federal Register its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, amending Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for rear-view mirrors and visibility. Congress has required NHTSA to propose rules for enhancing the visibility of the area immediately behind a vehicle to minimize the likelihood of pedestrians being struck during vehicle back-ups. Following research and review by NHTSA, the details of the proposed rulemaking are now available.
