‘99 AUTO CONGRESS TARGETS TAX, TARIFF ISSUES We Need Your Support in Washington, May 17-18 Make your plans now to be in Washington, D.C. May 17-18 for AIADA's 22nd annual American International Automotive Congress. The largest lobbying event in our industry, the Automotive Congress offers you an important opportunity to make your voice heard on Capitol Hill. There are three key issues topping AIADA's lobbying priority list this year: Estate (Death) Tax. Estate or death taxes can be a death sentence for family-owned automobile dealerships. The tax requires heirs to pay up to 55 percent of the estate's total value in cash to the federal government. AIADA is working to eliminate this burden on automobile dealers and their families. To date, 153 Members of Congress have cosponsored legislation to phase out the death tax. We need you to urge additional congressional support in both the House and Senate. Luxury Tax. The auto luxury tax is on schedule to be phased out by 2003. However, as long as this tax is on the books, that could change. Just last month, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM) recommended extending the luxury tax to offset the cost of other tax cuts in his Fiscal Year 2000 Budget Resolution. AIADA and our dealers members successfully rallied to eliminate the proposal, but dealers must continually remind Congress of the harmful impact of the tax and the need for its elimination on schedule if not sooner. Chicken Tax. On the books since 1963, the Chicken Tax is a 25% duty levied against imported pickup trucks as a results of a dispute between the U.S. and Germany over the importation of frozen chickens. AIADA is launching a long-term effort to eliminate this tariff, which unfairly restricts trade. Pickup trucks represent a lucrative and significant portion of the United States vehicle market, and the 25% tariff limits the ability of importers to compete. This must change. At the Automotive Congress, you'll be fully briefed on these issues and receive training to prepare you for your congressional meetings. Then, together with other dealers from your state, you can help make sure our message is heard. But we need you here to participate! Register today for the Automotive Congress. Send in your registration form or call 1-800-GO-AIADA for more information.

APRIL 1999 All the latest news and information for and about the international automobile industry in America. HOTELS ARE FILLING FAST The AIADA room block for the Automotive Congress was released to the general public on April 16 and rooms are filling fast! Be sure to hold a hotel room today. JW Marriott: 202/393-2000, Willard Hotel: 202/628-9100 AIADA 99 Canal Center Plaza Suite 500 Alexandria, VA 22314 703-519-7800 703-519-7810 FAX GOAIADA@aiada.org

AIADA is lobbying for any tax bill to include additional estate tax reductions for dealers, and the timing of the Automotive Congress is key to this process. Dealers attending the meeting will be able to urge their Representatives to endorse the Dunn-Tanner estate tax phaseout bill supported by AIADA at an important point in the legislative process. To date, 153 Members of Congress have cosponsored the legislation.

Attendees will hear the latest on local and national legislative issues impacting the auto industry. Additional speakers will include Rod Alberts of the Detroit Automobile Dealers Association, Barry McGuire of the Michigan Automobile Dealers Association and Scott Lane, AIADA's vice president of government relations. To register or for information, call AIADA's meetings department at (703) 519-7800.

At the Monday Super Session, speakers include:

• Elizabeth Dole. Leading contender for the 2000 Republican Presidential nomination.
  
• Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ). An eight-term member of the House of Representatives, Kolbe is a free trade supporter.
  
• William Kristol. Editor of The Weekly Standard and a regular on This Week with Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts.
  
• Norman Ornstein. A public policy expert from the American Enterprise Institute.
  
• Joseph D. O'Brien, Jr. AIADA 1999 Chairman of the Board.

• Mike Jackson. President & CEO, Mercedes-Benz USA, Inc.
  
• Gerd Klauss. President & CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc.
  
• Richard Beattie. President & CEO, Mazda North American Operations.
  
• Robert Reilly. Senior Vice President, General Manager, Light Vehicles, American Isuzu Motors Inc.

In addition, Monday evening is the All-Star Awards Gala & Dance, with the Nelson Riddle Orchestra featuring special guest Harry Connick, Sr. During the program, five dealers will be honored for their outstanding community service.