Lawmakers push for aid for auto industry in future coronavirus relief proposals

Several lawmakers are pushing for aid for the auto industry in future coronavirus relief proposals as projections show a major economic hit.

Fewer people are buying cars and people aren’t driving as many miles as they did before the pandemic.

"People just are not using their cars right now,” said Aaron Lowe, Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Government Affairs for Auto Care Association.

The Auto Care Association said furloughs are hitting auto repair shops and the stores where people buy auto parts.

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Hours of service are being cut for customers.

"People are not going out to get their cars repaired as they were so what we're beginning to find is those shops are furloughing employees,” said Bill Hanvey, President and CEO of Auto Care Association.

There has also been a major disruption for manufacturing plants.

"Reworking entire lines in order to accommodate social distancing practices,” Hanvey said.

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We obtained a draft letter from several Democratic Representatives that calls for aid to the industry that employs around 10 million people.

Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan) and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) are co-leading the effort.

The draft letter said the projected economic fallout for the auto industry is “grave” and said sales are expected to drop as much as 30 percent this year.

"It is very challenging for the mid and upper level companies to stay afloat right now because unlike small businesses, there hasn't been aid available to them,” said Lowe.

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The draft letter has not yet been submitted to the Speaker of the House or the House Minority Leader.

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