The American International Automobile Dealers Association spent $450,000 in the first quarter to lobby on federal trade agreements and other issues, according to a disclosure form.
The trade group, which represents America's 11,000 international nameplate automobile franchises, lobbied on legislation dealing with fuel economy, emissions standards, currency reform, tax issues and more, according to the form posted online April 21 by the House clerk's office.
Alexandria, Va.-based AIADA spent $800,000 to lobby the federal government in 2007.
New cars and trucks will need to meet a fleet average of 31.6 miles per gallon by 2015, according to a proposal last month from the Bush administration. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters set a schedule that was more aggressive than initially expected by the auto industry in response to a new energy law that requires new cars and trucks, taken as a collective average, to meet 35 mpg by 2020.
Meanwhile, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in early May that pressure from the auto industry will not deter the state from its push to impose strict emission rules for vehicles sold there.
Besides Congress, AIADA lobbied the U.S. Trade Representative's office, White House, and the departments of Treasury and Transportation in the first three months of the year.
The group's members sell and service dozens of foreign brands including: Acura, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.
Cody Lusk, former chief of staff to Rep. Sam Johnson, R-Texas; Rachel Robinson, former chief of staff for the House Republican Conference and Melanie Batenchuk, formerly an aide to Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., are among those registered to lobby for the auto dealers.
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