NEW YORK -- The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association released data last week that quantified the serious impact of the state's vicarious liability law.

The law cost consumers who buy and lease vehicles an additional $132 million since May 2003. That's when carmakers and banks began pulling out of the New York leasing market. The costs came from additional sales taxes paid by New York consumers forced out of leasing, and higher lease acquisition fees. Although 19 automakers and several banks have stopped leasing in New York, the companies still leasing must charge more to offset the costs of exposure to the law.

The Alliance and GNYADA said lawyers are the ones profiting from the law via huge payouts from manufacturers for vicarious liability claims.

Consumers are losing their ability to affordably lease because of this law, said Kris Kiser, Alliance vice president of state affairs. "Fifty of the state's 62 counties saw leasing decline by more than 40 percent, and more than half the counties dropped by at least 50 percent."

The Alliance and GNYADA hope this information will prompt policymakers in Albany to finally correct this injustice, said GNYADA President Mark Schienberg.