Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Brian Benstock on CNBC News discussing "Cash for Clunkers"
CNBC News
August 2, 2009
Discussing the effectiveness of the Cash for Clunkers program, with Bailey Wood, National Association of Dealers; Mark Neszrad, Williamson Auto Group and Brian Benstock, Paragon Honda/Acura.
Read more ...
August 2, 2009
Discussing the effectiveness of the Cash for Clunkers program, with Bailey Wood, National Association of Dealers; Mark Neszrad, Williamson Auto Group and Brian Benstock, Paragon Honda/Acura.
Read more ...
Paragon Honda VP and General Manager Brian Benstock on FOX News
FOX NEWS
July 28, 2009
Brian Benstock on car sales and if the 'cash for clunkers' program will help.
Read more ...
July 28, 2009
Brian Benstock on car sales and if the 'cash for clunkers' program will help.
Read more ...
¡Deshágase de su carcacha! (Spanish language article)
CENTRO TAMPA.COM
Myriam Silva-Warren
9/07/2009
Tampa - "Aquí la clave es que el carro sea una carcacha", dijo Alfonso Aguilar, ex jefe del Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración y portavoz de la campaña Dinero por su Carcacha.
La campaña busca informar a los consumidores hispanos sobre el programa Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) firmado recientemente por el presidente Barack Obama. CARS es un programa federal que ayuda a la compra de un vehículo nuevo, entregando el vehículo viejo y adquiriendo uno más eficiente en consumo de gasolina.
La condición primordial, dijo Aguilar, es que el auto sea una carcacha: "Es un carro que no da más de 18 millas por galón en promedio de lo que rinde en carretera y lo que rinde en ciudad".
Según el portavoz de origen puertorriqueño, la ley lo que busca es incentivar la industria automotriz y, por otro lado, proteger el medio ambiente al sacar de las vías los carros que emiten altos niveles de CO2 (dióxido de carbono).
El incentivo consiste en darle al consumidor un cupón de hasta $4,500 si entrega su carro usado y compra un carro nuevo eficiente. "Ellos [los concesionarios] reciben el dinero directamente", dijo Aguilar.
El segundo requisito es que el auto usado que será entregado al concesionario debe ser menor de 25 años, del año 1984 en adelante.
El requisito de 18 millas por galón comprehende minivans, vehículos utilitarios o todoterreno pequeños; si son automóviles más grandes, hay otros requisitos de millaje (ver recuadro).
Aguilar explicó cómo funciona el incentivo federal: Si usted compra un carro que le va a rendir cuatro millas más por galón que el que entrega, usted califica para un cupón de $3,500; pero si compra uno que le va a rendir más de 10 millas que el que tiene, califica para uno de $4,500.
El dinero que asignó el gobierno para el CARS es de $1,000 millones.
"Calculamos que 250,000 personas a nivel nacional se van a poder beneficiar", agregó Aguilar.
El carro usado lo recibe el concesionario y éste se deshace del vehículo. Lo envían a un junker (depósito de carros viejos) y el carro no vuelve a la carretera.
De acuerdo con el portavoz, este programa no es para todo el mundo; por ejemplo, a alguien que adquirió un carro recientemente y adeuda bastante dinero, no le conviene. Pero para aquellos que dependen de un vehículo viejo que ya está pagado, lo mantienen y están gastando mucho dinero en reparaciones y gasolina, este programa es ideal.
Como parte de la campaña dirigida a los hispanos, Aguilar contó que diseñaron el sitio web Dineroporsucarcacha.com y que ésta cuenta con una calculadora. "Uno entra año, marca y modelo de vehículo y le dice si califica", dijo.
A finales del mes se darán a conocer los últimos detalles del programa y los concesionarios que aceptarán los cupones.
Según Aguilar, hay millones de carcachas en las vías del país; 200,000 fácilmente podrían estar en la Florida. "Sabemos que el grupo en Estados Unidos que más carcachas tiene es la comunidad hispana", aseguró.
Agregó que el programa empieza el 1º de julio y termina el 1º de noviembre. "Es lo que dicen en inglés: first-come, first-served".
Read more ...
Myriam Silva-Warren
9/07/2009
Tampa - "Aquí la clave es que el carro sea una carcacha", dijo Alfonso Aguilar, ex jefe del Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración y portavoz de la campaña Dinero por su Carcacha.
La campaña busca informar a los consumidores hispanos sobre el programa Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) firmado recientemente por el presidente Barack Obama. CARS es un programa federal que ayuda a la compra de un vehículo nuevo, entregando el vehículo viejo y adquiriendo uno más eficiente en consumo de gasolina.
La condición primordial, dijo Aguilar, es que el auto sea una carcacha: "Es un carro que no da más de 18 millas por galón en promedio de lo que rinde en carretera y lo que rinde en ciudad".
Según el portavoz de origen puertorriqueño, la ley lo que busca es incentivar la industria automotriz y, por otro lado, proteger el medio ambiente al sacar de las vías los carros que emiten altos niveles de CO2 (dióxido de carbono).
El incentivo consiste en darle al consumidor un cupón de hasta $4,500 si entrega su carro usado y compra un carro nuevo eficiente. "Ellos [los concesionarios] reciben el dinero directamente", dijo Aguilar.
El segundo requisito es que el auto usado que será entregado al concesionario debe ser menor de 25 años, del año 1984 en adelante.
El requisito de 18 millas por galón comprehende minivans, vehículos utilitarios o todoterreno pequeños; si son automóviles más grandes, hay otros requisitos de millaje (ver recuadro).
Aguilar explicó cómo funciona el incentivo federal: Si usted compra un carro que le va a rendir cuatro millas más por galón que el que entrega, usted califica para un cupón de $3,500; pero si compra uno que le va a rendir más de 10 millas que el que tiene, califica para uno de $4,500.
El dinero que asignó el gobierno para el CARS es de $1,000 millones.
"Calculamos que 250,000 personas a nivel nacional se van a poder beneficiar", agregó Aguilar.
El carro usado lo recibe el concesionario y éste se deshace del vehículo. Lo envían a un junker (depósito de carros viejos) y el carro no vuelve a la carretera.
De acuerdo con el portavoz, este programa no es para todo el mundo; por ejemplo, a alguien que adquirió un carro recientemente y adeuda bastante dinero, no le conviene. Pero para aquellos que dependen de un vehículo viejo que ya está pagado, lo mantienen y están gastando mucho dinero en reparaciones y gasolina, este programa es ideal.
Como parte de la campaña dirigida a los hispanos, Aguilar contó que diseñaron el sitio web Dineroporsucarcacha.com y que ésta cuenta con una calculadora. "Uno entra año, marca y modelo de vehículo y le dice si califica", dijo.
A finales del mes se darán a conocer los últimos detalles del programa y los concesionarios que aceptarán los cupones.
Según Aguilar, hay millones de carcachas en las vías del país; 200,000 fácilmente podrían estar en la Florida. "Sabemos que el grupo en Estados Unidos que más carcachas tiene es la comunidad hispana", aseguró.
Agregó que el programa empieza el 1º de julio y termina el 1º de noviembre. "Es lo que dicen en inglés: first-come, first-served".
Read more ...
Coches para la crisis. (Spanish language article)
Aunque la crisis ha hechomás difícil cambiar el auto usado por uno nuevo, también es cierto que hay más de 70 modelos 2009 y 2010 que empiezan por debajo de los $15 mil.
La mejor noticia es que la mayoría califica para el reembolso federal de $4,500 bajo el plan Dinero por su Carcacha, con lo cuál el precio final podría quedar más cerca a los $10 mil que a los $15 mil.
Hyundai Accent 2009
De $9,970 a $13,920
El Accent es un hatchback de tres puertas con tracción delantera que utiliza un motor 1.6 litros con 100 caballos de fuerza. El consumo de combustible es de 27/23 millas por galón con la caja manual de 5 velocidades y 26/35 con la caja automática de 4 velocidades.
Nissan Versa 2009
De $9,990 a $14,110
El Versa puede comprarse como hatchback o sedán, ambos com motor 1.8 litros con 122 caballos de fuerza. La versión con la caja automática de 4 marchas tiene un consumo estimado de 24/32 millas por galón, mientras que en la versión con caja CVT es de 27/33 mpg.
Kia Rio 2009
De $11,495 a $14,875
El Kia Rio es una excelente opción para comprar un auto nuevo en lugar de uno usado si nuestro presupuesto es bajo. Utiliza un motor 1.6 litros con 110 cabaloos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 27/33 millas por galón con la caja manual y 26/35 mpg con la automática.
Chevrolet Aveo 2010
De $11,965 a $14,100
El Aveo utiliza un motor de 1.6 litros con 108 caballos de fuerza. Tiene una excelente autonomía 27/34 millas por galón. Un tanque lleno durará bastante, siendo un alivio para la economía. Si busca algo económico, cómodo y que lo saque del tráfico, el Aveo es para usted.
Smart fortwo 2009
De $11,990 a $13,990
Smart apuesta a su imagen "verde" ya que está clasificado como vehículo con emisiones ultra-bajas. El smart fortwo utiliza un motor 3 cilindros turbo de 1.0 litros con 71 caballos de fuerza, su consumo estimado es de 33/41 millas por galón.
Toyota Yaris 2009
A cambiar el cacharro
De $12,205 a $14,825
El equipamiento y la calidad del ensamble del Yaris lo hace un gran auto pequeño para aquellos jóvenes que empiezan a manejar. Tiene un motor de 1.5 litros con 106 caballos de fuerza y un consumo estimado de 29/36 millas por galón con la caja manual y 28/35 mpg con la automática.
Kia Spectra 2009
$13,200 - $14,200
Con el Spectra, Kia toma lo muy bien hecho por Hyundai y lo sublima para ofrecer un auto bastante peculiar que utiliza un motor de 2.0 litros con 138 caballos de fuerza, el cual da un rendimiento estimado de 24/32 millas por galón.
Suzuki SX4 2009
$13,299 - $14,689
La carrocería y el chasis del SX4 evolucionaron a partir del diseño del Suzuki Swift, que ayudó a Suzuki a ganar numerosos premios a nivel mundial. Utiliza un motor de 2.0 litros con 1243 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 23/31 millas por galón.
Kia Soul 2010
$13,300 a $14,950
Con el Soul, Kia espera conquistar al público joven que no solo busca autos compactos con bajo consumo, sino que también exige lo último en seguridad y tecnología. Utiliza un motor de 1.6 litros con 122 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 26/31 millas por galón.
Kia Forte 2010
De $13,695 a $14,695
El Forte sigue la línea de diseño moderno del Soul, y se destaca por la gran cantidad de accesorios y funcionalidades orientadas al conductor. Utiliza un motor de 2.0 litros con 156 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 25/34 millas por galón.
Nissan Cube 2009
De $13,990 a $14,690
El interior del Nissan Cube 2009 está inspirado en diseños minimalistas y prácticos para el conductor y los pasajeros. Utiliza un motor de 1.8 litros con 122 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 24/29 millas por galón.
Hyundai Elantra 2009
$14,120
El Elantra se mantiene fresco y al día para poder continuar como la base económica del Hyundai en EU. Utiliza un motor de 2.0 litros con 138 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 25/33 millas por galón con la caja automática y 24/32 con la caja manual..
Pontiac G3 2009
$14,335
Aunque el G3 es un Aveo, tiene sus propios detalles que intentan darle personalidad como la parrilla con el diseño característico de Pontiac. Utiliza un motor de 1.6 litros con 108 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 27/34 millas por galón.
Mitsubishi Lancer 2009
$14,540
Con diseño agresivo, excelente calidad y precio accesible, el Lancer es una buena opción para un sedán familiar. Utiliza un motor de 2.0 litros con 152 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 22/30 millas por galón.
Scion xD 2009
$14,650
El xD seguramente tendrá mucho éxito al combinar el xA y el xB en un solo automóvil. Utiliza un motor de 1.8 litros con 128 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 27/33 millas por galón cuando se equipa con la caja manual y 26/32 con la caja automática.
Mazda MAZDA3 2009
$14,690
El Mazda3 es la manera más económica de vivir la experiencia Zoom-Zoom de la marca, y entrega dicha experiencia sin mayores problemas. Utiliza un motor de 2.0 litros con 148 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 24/32 millas por galón.
Honda Fit 2009
$14,750
Para esta segunda generación el Fit es un auto más cómodo, funcional, seguro y cargado con la tecnología más avanzada. Utiliza un motor de 1.5 litros con 117 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 27/33 millas por galón.
Chevrolet Cobalt 2009
$14,990
Con el Cobalt, Chevrolet explica, sin decir palabra alguna, porqué esperó tanto tiempo para sustituir al Cavalier. Como dicen por ahí, Roma no se construyo en un día. Utiliza un motor de 2.2 litros con 155 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 25/35 millas por galón.
Read more ...
La mejor noticia es que la mayoría califica para el reembolso federal de $4,500 bajo el plan Dinero por su Carcacha, con lo cuál el precio final podría quedar más cerca a los $10 mil que a los $15 mil.
Hyundai Accent 2009
De $9,970 a $13,920
El Accent es un hatchback de tres puertas con tracción delantera que utiliza un motor 1.6 litros con 100 caballos de fuerza. El consumo de combustible es de 27/23 millas por galón con la caja manual de 5 velocidades y 26/35 con la caja automática de 4 velocidades.
Nissan Versa 2009
De $9,990 a $14,110
El Versa puede comprarse como hatchback o sedán, ambos com motor 1.8 litros con 122 caballos de fuerza. La versión con la caja automática de 4 marchas tiene un consumo estimado de 24/32 millas por galón, mientras que en la versión con caja CVT es de 27/33 mpg.
Kia Rio 2009
De $11,495 a $14,875
El Kia Rio es una excelente opción para comprar un auto nuevo en lugar de uno usado si nuestro presupuesto es bajo. Utiliza un motor 1.6 litros con 110 cabaloos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 27/33 millas por galón con la caja manual y 26/35 mpg con la automática.
Chevrolet Aveo 2010
De $11,965 a $14,100
El Aveo utiliza un motor de 1.6 litros con 108 caballos de fuerza. Tiene una excelente autonomía 27/34 millas por galón. Un tanque lleno durará bastante, siendo un alivio para la economía. Si busca algo económico, cómodo y que lo saque del tráfico, el Aveo es para usted.
Smart fortwo 2009
De $11,990 a $13,990
Smart apuesta a su imagen "verde" ya que está clasificado como vehículo con emisiones ultra-bajas. El smart fortwo utiliza un motor 3 cilindros turbo de 1.0 litros con 71 caballos de fuerza, su consumo estimado es de 33/41 millas por galón.
Toyota Yaris 2009
A cambiar el cacharro
De $12,205 a $14,825
El equipamiento y la calidad del ensamble del Yaris lo hace un gran auto pequeño para aquellos jóvenes que empiezan a manejar. Tiene un motor de 1.5 litros con 106 caballos de fuerza y un consumo estimado de 29/36 millas por galón con la caja manual y 28/35 mpg con la automática.
Kia Spectra 2009
$13,200 - $14,200
Con el Spectra, Kia toma lo muy bien hecho por Hyundai y lo sublima para ofrecer un auto bastante peculiar que utiliza un motor de 2.0 litros con 138 caballos de fuerza, el cual da un rendimiento estimado de 24/32 millas por galón.
Suzuki SX4 2009
$13,299 - $14,689
La carrocería y el chasis del SX4 evolucionaron a partir del diseño del Suzuki Swift, que ayudó a Suzuki a ganar numerosos premios a nivel mundial. Utiliza un motor de 2.0 litros con 1243 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 23/31 millas por galón.
Kia Soul 2010
$13,300 a $14,950
Con el Soul, Kia espera conquistar al público joven que no solo busca autos compactos con bajo consumo, sino que también exige lo último en seguridad y tecnología. Utiliza un motor de 1.6 litros con 122 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 26/31 millas por galón.
Kia Forte 2010
De $13,695 a $14,695
El Forte sigue la línea de diseño moderno del Soul, y se destaca por la gran cantidad de accesorios y funcionalidades orientadas al conductor. Utiliza un motor de 2.0 litros con 156 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 25/34 millas por galón.
Nissan Cube 2009
De $13,990 a $14,690
El interior del Nissan Cube 2009 está inspirado en diseños minimalistas y prácticos para el conductor y los pasajeros. Utiliza un motor de 1.8 litros con 122 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 24/29 millas por galón.
Hyundai Elantra 2009
$14,120
El Elantra se mantiene fresco y al día para poder continuar como la base económica del Hyundai en EU. Utiliza un motor de 2.0 litros con 138 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 25/33 millas por galón con la caja automática y 24/32 con la caja manual..
Pontiac G3 2009
$14,335
Aunque el G3 es un Aveo, tiene sus propios detalles que intentan darle personalidad como la parrilla con el diseño característico de Pontiac. Utiliza un motor de 1.6 litros con 108 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 27/34 millas por galón.
Mitsubishi Lancer 2009
$14,540
Con diseño agresivo, excelente calidad y precio accesible, el Lancer es una buena opción para un sedán familiar. Utiliza un motor de 2.0 litros con 152 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 22/30 millas por galón.
Scion xD 2009
$14,650
El xD seguramente tendrá mucho éxito al combinar el xA y el xB en un solo automóvil. Utiliza un motor de 1.8 litros con 128 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 27/33 millas por galón cuando se equipa con la caja manual y 26/32 con la caja automática.
Mazda MAZDA3 2009
$14,690
El Mazda3 es la manera más económica de vivir la experiencia Zoom-Zoom de la marca, y entrega dicha experiencia sin mayores problemas. Utiliza un motor de 2.0 litros con 148 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 24/32 millas por galón.
Honda Fit 2009
$14,750
Para esta segunda generación el Fit es un auto más cómodo, funcional, seguro y cargado con la tecnología más avanzada. Utiliza un motor de 1.5 litros con 117 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 27/33 millas por galón.
Chevrolet Cobalt 2009
$14,990
Con el Cobalt, Chevrolet explica, sin decir palabra alguna, porqué esperó tanto tiempo para sustituir al Cavalier. Como dicen por ahí, Roma no se construyo en un día. Utiliza un motor de 2.2 litros con 155 caballos de fuerza y tiene un consumo estimado de 25/35 millas por galón.
Read more ...
¿Calificas para recibir $4,500? (Spanish language article)
UNIVISION
July 11, 2009
Herramientas para salir de dudas
Antes de ir al concesionario, investiga via Internet si tu vehículo califica para el programa Cash for Clunkers.
NUEVA YORK – Desde el lanzamiento del programa Cash For Clunkers (Dinero por su carcacha) el pasado 1 de julio, la principal pregunta de millones de conductores es si el auto que manejan ahora califica para recibir el bono de hasta $4,500 para cambiarlo por uno nuevo más eficiente.
Evita los engaños
Aunque los requisitos básicos parecen ser simples, existen muchas dudas sobre qué autos pueden ser intercambiados y cuáles son los nuevos que entran dentro del programa, que arrancó el 1 de julio y termina el 1 de noviembre, y cuenta con $1 billón en fondos federales.
La Administración Nacional de Transporte y Seguridad en las Carreteras (NHTSA, por sus siglas en inglés), el organismo del gobierno que administra el programa puso a disposición de los consumidores una calculadora en su sitio oficial de Internet para facilitar la información a todos los consumidores.
Esta herramienta interactiva, ubicada en la columna derecha de la página oficial del programa, les permite a los consumidores determinar los vehículos que reúnen los requisitos y ponerse en contacto con un concesionario, todo ello sin abandonar su casa.
Otras organizaciones han creado herramientas similares, como Kelly Blue Book, el socio editorial del Canal de Autos en Univision.com.
La NHTSA reiteró además que todos los consumidores deben estar alertas para evitar caer en fraudes relacionados con este programa: "No es necesario inscribirse o registrarse en este programa. Los concesionarios de vehículos nuevos participantes solicitarán un crédito, que reducirá el precio al momento de la compra o el leasing, siempre y cuando el vehículo cumpla con los requisitos del programa", explicó la NHTSA.
Para facilitar el proceso a los consumidores, los expertos recomiendan establecer comunicación vía Internet con un concesionario participante, en vez de desperdiciar combustible manejando por la ciudad.
Los sitios de Internet ayudan a los consumidores a preguntar directamente al concesionario para obtener información de precios.
Para aprovechar la misma ventaja, los consumidores hispanohablantes pueden visitar www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com.
¿Qué es el Sistema de Asignación de Reembolso para Vehículos (CARS)?
El CARS es un programa del gobierno federal que le ayudará a comprar o arrendar un vehiculo nuevo y más eficiente en el consumo de gasolina al canjear su vehículo viejo y menos eficiente en cualquiera de los distribuidores participantes de este programa.
¿Es necesario obtener un cupón o registrarse para participar en este programa?
No. Usted no necesita un cupón de reembolso y no está obligado a registrarse o a inscribirse en este programa. Los concesionarios de automóviles nuevos que participan en el programa le aplicarán un crédito, reduciendo el precio que usted paga en el momento de su compra o arrendamiento, siempre y cuando el vehículo que compre o arriende y el vehiculo que canjea cumplan con los requisitos del programa. El distribuidor obtendrá el reembolso del gobierno.
¿Cómo puedo saber si un concesionario está participando en el programa?
La ley requiere que los distribuidores se inscriban para participar en el programa. La NHTSA está creando un registro de los comerciantes interesados. La lista estará disponible en este sitio Internet, la cual se seguirá actualizando durante el periodo de vigencia del programa. Mientras tanto, puede contactar los distribuidores en su área para averiguar si van a participar en el programa.
¿Cómo puedo saber si mi vehiculo puede participar en este programa?
Hay varios requisitos para su vehículo, pero también el vehiculo que desea comprar o arrendar tiene que cumplir con ciertas condiciones. Su distribuidor puede ayudarle a determinar si su vehiculo se puede canjear.
Estos son los requisitos básicos para canjear su vehiculo:
Haber sido fabricado dentro de los 25 años anteriores a la fecha de canjeo (a partir de 1984).
Consumir un promedio (ciudad/carretera) de 18 millas o menos por galón de gasolina
El vehículo tiene que estar en condiciones operacionales y registrado y asegurado por el mismo propietario, por lo menos un año antes de la compra o arrendamiento del vehículo nuevo.
Algunas camionetas grandes y furgonetas (VANS) de carga tienen diferentes requisitos.
¿Cómo puedo saber cuándo se fabricó mi vehículo?
El mes y año de fabricación, por ejemplo, 1-96 (enero de 1996), aparece en la etiqueta de certificación de normas de seguridad que se encuentra en el marco o borde de la puerta del conductor en la mayoría de los vehículos.
¿Cómo puedo saber el consumo promedio de gasolina (ciudad/carretera) de mi vehículo?
Vaya al sitio web http://.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm y escoja el año de su vehículo, la marca y luego el modelo. Bajo las palabras "ESTIMATED NEW EPA MPG", hay un número en rojo con la palabra "COMBINED".
Ese es el consumo promedio nuevo de gasolina (ciudad/carretera) de su vehículo. Entonces podrá ingresar la marca, modelo y año del vehículo nuevo que desea comprar para comparar su consumo promedio de gasolina.
¿Puedo utilizar este programa para el arrendamiento de un vehículo o tengo que comprarlo?
Bajo el programa, usted puede comprar o arrendar un vehículo nuevo, siempre que el período de alquiler del vehiculo nuevo sea de por lo menos cinco años.
¿Existe un límite en el precio del vehículo que quiero comprar o arrendar en el marco de este programa?
Sí. El precio sugerido por el fabricante de venta (MSRP, por sus siglas en inglés) no puede pasar de $45 mil.
¿Puedo utilizar este programa para comprar un vehículo usado?
No. El programa no se aplica a la compra de vehículos nuevos.
¿Cuánto es la cantidad de reembolso?
El importe del crédito es de $3,500 o $4,500 y, en general, depende del tipo de vehículo que compre y la diferencia en el consumo promedio de gasolina entre el vehículo comprado y el vehículo canjeado. Diferentes requisitos se aplican a los camiones de trabajo.
¿Además del reembolso, puedo recibir la totalidad del valor de mi vehículo en canjeo?
No. La ley exige que su vehículo canjeado sea destruido. Por lo tanto, el valor para negociar con el distribuidor de su vehículo en canjeo probablemente no excederá su valor como chatarra. La ley establece que el concesionario deberá divulgar una estimación del valor residual de su vehículo en canjeo como chatarra.
¿No soy dueño de un vehículo americano, pero me gustaría cajear mi vehículo por uno nuevo y más eficiente. Es este programa solo para la compra o arrendamiento de vehículos americanos?
No. Usted puede canjear su vehículo también para comprar o arrendar uno importado.
¿Tengo un camión y no puedo encontrar su clasificación de economía de combustible. Aun así, lo puedo canjear?
Es posible que pueda hacerlo. El consumo promedio de gasolina de algunos camiones, como las camionetas de trabajo, nunca fueron calculados. Para estos camiones, la edad es el único criterio para determinar si son elegibles para canjear. Si tiene uno de estos camiones, el año o modelo debe ser de 2001 o antes, y debe haber sido fabricado dentro de los 25 años anteriores a la fecha de canjeo. Otras restricciones pueden aplicar también.
Read more ...
July 11, 2009
Herramientas para salir de dudas
Antes de ir al concesionario, investiga via Internet si tu vehículo califica para el programa Cash for Clunkers.
NUEVA YORK – Desde el lanzamiento del programa Cash For Clunkers (Dinero por su carcacha) el pasado 1 de julio, la principal pregunta de millones de conductores es si el auto que manejan ahora califica para recibir el bono de hasta $4,500 para cambiarlo por uno nuevo más eficiente.
Evita los engaños
Aunque los requisitos básicos parecen ser simples, existen muchas dudas sobre qué autos pueden ser intercambiados y cuáles son los nuevos que entran dentro del programa, que arrancó el 1 de julio y termina el 1 de noviembre, y cuenta con $1 billón en fondos federales.
La Administración Nacional de Transporte y Seguridad en las Carreteras (NHTSA, por sus siglas en inglés), el organismo del gobierno que administra el programa puso a disposición de los consumidores una calculadora en su sitio oficial de Internet para facilitar la información a todos los consumidores.
Esta herramienta interactiva, ubicada en la columna derecha de la página oficial del programa, les permite a los consumidores determinar los vehículos que reúnen los requisitos y ponerse en contacto con un concesionario, todo ello sin abandonar su casa.
Otras organizaciones han creado herramientas similares, como Kelly Blue Book, el socio editorial del Canal de Autos en Univision.com.
La NHTSA reiteró además que todos los consumidores deben estar alertas para evitar caer en fraudes relacionados con este programa: "No es necesario inscribirse o registrarse en este programa. Los concesionarios de vehículos nuevos participantes solicitarán un crédito, que reducirá el precio al momento de la compra o el leasing, siempre y cuando el vehículo cumpla con los requisitos del programa", explicó la NHTSA.
Para facilitar el proceso a los consumidores, los expertos recomiendan establecer comunicación vía Internet con un concesionario participante, en vez de desperdiciar combustible manejando por la ciudad.
Los sitios de Internet ayudan a los consumidores a preguntar directamente al concesionario para obtener información de precios.
Para aprovechar la misma ventaja, los consumidores hispanohablantes pueden visitar www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com.
¿Qué es el Sistema de Asignación de Reembolso para Vehículos (CARS)?
El CARS es un programa del gobierno federal que le ayudará a comprar o arrendar un vehiculo nuevo y más eficiente en el consumo de gasolina al canjear su vehículo viejo y menos eficiente en cualquiera de los distribuidores participantes de este programa.
¿Es necesario obtener un cupón o registrarse para participar en este programa?
No. Usted no necesita un cupón de reembolso y no está obligado a registrarse o a inscribirse en este programa. Los concesionarios de automóviles nuevos que participan en el programa le aplicarán un crédito, reduciendo el precio que usted paga en el momento de su compra o arrendamiento, siempre y cuando el vehículo que compre o arriende y el vehiculo que canjea cumplan con los requisitos del programa. El distribuidor obtendrá el reembolso del gobierno.
¿Cómo puedo saber si un concesionario está participando en el programa?
La ley requiere que los distribuidores se inscriban para participar en el programa. La NHTSA está creando un registro de los comerciantes interesados. La lista estará disponible en este sitio Internet, la cual se seguirá actualizando durante el periodo de vigencia del programa. Mientras tanto, puede contactar los distribuidores en su área para averiguar si van a participar en el programa.
¿Cómo puedo saber si mi vehiculo puede participar en este programa?
Hay varios requisitos para su vehículo, pero también el vehiculo que desea comprar o arrendar tiene que cumplir con ciertas condiciones. Su distribuidor puede ayudarle a determinar si su vehiculo se puede canjear.
Estos son los requisitos básicos para canjear su vehiculo:
Haber sido fabricado dentro de los 25 años anteriores a la fecha de canjeo (a partir de 1984).
Consumir un promedio (ciudad/carretera) de 18 millas o menos por galón de gasolina
El vehículo tiene que estar en condiciones operacionales y registrado y asegurado por el mismo propietario, por lo menos un año antes de la compra o arrendamiento del vehículo nuevo.
Algunas camionetas grandes y furgonetas (VANS) de carga tienen diferentes requisitos.
¿Cómo puedo saber cuándo se fabricó mi vehículo?
El mes y año de fabricación, por ejemplo, 1-96 (enero de 1996), aparece en la etiqueta de certificación de normas de seguridad que se encuentra en el marco o borde de la puerta del conductor en la mayoría de los vehículos.
¿Cómo puedo saber el consumo promedio de gasolina (ciudad/carretera) de mi vehículo?
Vaya al sitio web http://.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm y escoja el año de su vehículo, la marca y luego el modelo. Bajo las palabras "ESTIMATED NEW EPA MPG", hay un número en rojo con la palabra "COMBINED".
Ese es el consumo promedio nuevo de gasolina (ciudad/carretera) de su vehículo. Entonces podrá ingresar la marca, modelo y año del vehículo nuevo que desea comprar para comparar su consumo promedio de gasolina.
¿Puedo utilizar este programa para el arrendamiento de un vehículo o tengo que comprarlo?
Bajo el programa, usted puede comprar o arrendar un vehículo nuevo, siempre que el período de alquiler del vehiculo nuevo sea de por lo menos cinco años.
¿Existe un límite en el precio del vehículo que quiero comprar o arrendar en el marco de este programa?
Sí. El precio sugerido por el fabricante de venta (MSRP, por sus siglas en inglés) no puede pasar de $45 mil.
¿Puedo utilizar este programa para comprar un vehículo usado?
No. El programa no se aplica a la compra de vehículos nuevos.
¿Cuánto es la cantidad de reembolso?
El importe del crédito es de $3,500 o $4,500 y, en general, depende del tipo de vehículo que compre y la diferencia en el consumo promedio de gasolina entre el vehículo comprado y el vehículo canjeado. Diferentes requisitos se aplican a los camiones de trabajo.
¿Además del reembolso, puedo recibir la totalidad del valor de mi vehículo en canjeo?
No. La ley exige que su vehículo canjeado sea destruido. Por lo tanto, el valor para negociar con el distribuidor de su vehículo en canjeo probablemente no excederá su valor como chatarra. La ley establece que el concesionario deberá divulgar una estimación del valor residual de su vehículo en canjeo como chatarra.
¿No soy dueño de un vehículo americano, pero me gustaría cajear mi vehículo por uno nuevo y más eficiente. Es este programa solo para la compra o arrendamiento de vehículos americanos?
No. Usted puede canjear su vehículo también para comprar o arrendar uno importado.
¿Tengo un camión y no puedo encontrar su clasificación de economía de combustible. Aun así, lo puedo canjear?
Es posible que pueda hacerlo. El consumo promedio de gasolina de algunos camiones, como las camionetas de trabajo, nunca fueron calculados. Para estos camiones, la edad es el único criterio para determinar si son elegibles para canjear. Si tiene uno de estos camiones, el año o modelo debe ser de 2001 o antes, y debe haber sido fabricado dentro de los 25 años anteriores a la fecha de canjeo. Otras restricciones pueden aplicar también.
Read more ...
Dinero Por Su Carcacha? (Spanish language article)
UNIVISION
April 17, 2009
Comprarias un auto nuevo?
El gobierno de los Estados Unidos ha creado un innovador programa, para estimular la industria automotriz y, a la vez, proteger el ambiente, anuncio la organizacion www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com. A traves de esta iniciativa, el consumidor recibira una ayuda de hasta $4,500 por entrar en "trade in" o intercambiar su viejo vehiculo por un carro de mayor rendimiento. La ley tiene un triple beneficio: incentivara la tan mermada industria automotriz; ayudara al consumidor; y favorecera la preservacion del medio ambiente. www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com ha iniciado una campana publica a nivel nacional para informar a los consumidores acerca de este programa.
Read more ...
April 17, 2009
Comprarias un auto nuevo?
El gobierno de los Estados Unidos ha creado un innovador programa, para estimular la industria automotriz y, a la vez, proteger el ambiente, anuncio la organizacion www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com. A traves de esta iniciativa, el consumidor recibira una ayuda de hasta $4,500 por entrar en "trade in" o intercambiar su viejo vehiculo por un carro de mayor rendimiento. La ley tiene un triple beneficio: incentivara la tan mermada industria automotriz; ayudara al consumidor; y favorecera la preservacion del medio ambiente. www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com ha iniciado una campana publica a nivel nacional para informar a los consumidores acerca de este programa.
Read more ...
Cuidado con los fraudes - No hacen falta cupones o registro (Spanish language article)
UNIVISION
August 2009
NUEVA YORK - La reciente aprobación del programa Dinero por su carcacha mediante el cual el gobierno ofrece un incentivo de hasta $4,500 para que los propietarios de autos viejos lo cambien por uno nuevo, ha creado una ola de fraudes de la que todos los consumidores deben estar alertas.
No hacen falta cupones o registros
Algunos sitios de información para consumidores ofrecerán un servicio para obtener información sobre los modelos que califican para el programa, cotizaciones de precios, o financiación aprobada previamente por concesionarios, de modo que puedan evitar ir de concesionario en concesionario en busca de la mejor oferta.
Si tiene la intención de utilizar dichos servicios, asegúrese de que cuenten con una política de privacidad y un acuerdo de visitantes claramente definidos (situados en la parte inferior de la página) que le garanticen que su información de contacto permanecerá privada y segura.
Y si algún sitio solicita información personal para "registrarse" o para "emitir un cupón", no suministre ninguna información porque no necesita un cupón y no es necesario registrarse ni enrolarse en este programa.
Para beneficiarse del incentivo federal, todo lo que los consumidores deben hacer es asegurarse de que su auto cumple con los requisitos para el cambio y llevarlo a un concesionario que venda un modelo que también califique.
Los concesionarios de autos nuevos solicitarán el crédito como parte del proceso de compraventa, por lo que reducirán el precio que se pague en el momento de la compra o leasing.
La Administración Nacional de la Seguridad del Tráfico en las Carreteras (NHTSA, por sus siglas en inglés) dijo que continuará monitoreando los posibles fraudes y que ofrecerá información actualizada a través de la página de Internet del programa.
Para más información general sobre el programa, puede vistar: www.dineroporsucarcacha.org
Requisitos para calificar
No hacen falta cupones o registros
Requisitos para calificar
¿Qué buscas en un sedán?...Opina
Estos son los requisitos para poder beneficiarse del programa:
1.- Tener un auto viejo o 'carcacha'; es decir, un vehículo fabricado entre 1984 y el 2009, que tenga un rendimiento promedio de 18 millas por galón o 16 si se trata de una SUV o camioneta pick up.
2.- Quienes adquieran un nuevo vehículo utilitario cuyo rendimiento sea de al menos 4 millas más por galón, recibirá un apoyo de $3,500, pero si la diferencia es superior a 10 millas por galón, la ayuda ascenderá a $4, 500.
3.- Si piensan comprar una camioneta o SUV, el rendimiento deberá ser de dos millas por galón superiores para recibir $3,500 y si es superior a cinco millas por galón se les otorgarán $4,500.
4.- Los dueños de camionetas adquiridas antes del año 2000 recibirán mil dólares sin importar cuál sea la mejora.
5.- Para obtener este apoyo, el propietario tiene que demostrar que tiene más de un año con el auto, que pago los impuestos y seguros y que el auto nuevo que quiere comprar rinde más millas por galón que el que entrega.
Para obtener más información sobre este programa, puede visitar la página de Internet:
http://www.automotiveconsumercouncil.com/
Read more ...
August 2009
NUEVA YORK - La reciente aprobación del programa Dinero por su carcacha mediante el cual el gobierno ofrece un incentivo de hasta $4,500 para que los propietarios de autos viejos lo cambien por uno nuevo, ha creado una ola de fraudes de la que todos los consumidores deben estar alertas.
No hacen falta cupones o registros
Algunos sitios de información para consumidores ofrecerán un servicio para obtener información sobre los modelos que califican para el programa, cotizaciones de precios, o financiación aprobada previamente por concesionarios, de modo que puedan evitar ir de concesionario en concesionario en busca de la mejor oferta.
Si tiene la intención de utilizar dichos servicios, asegúrese de que cuenten con una política de privacidad y un acuerdo de visitantes claramente definidos (situados en la parte inferior de la página) que le garanticen que su información de contacto permanecerá privada y segura.
Y si algún sitio solicita información personal para "registrarse" o para "emitir un cupón", no suministre ninguna información porque no necesita un cupón y no es necesario registrarse ni enrolarse en este programa.
Para beneficiarse del incentivo federal, todo lo que los consumidores deben hacer es asegurarse de que su auto cumple con los requisitos para el cambio y llevarlo a un concesionario que venda un modelo que también califique.
Los concesionarios de autos nuevos solicitarán el crédito como parte del proceso de compraventa, por lo que reducirán el precio que se pague en el momento de la compra o leasing.
La Administración Nacional de la Seguridad del Tráfico en las Carreteras (NHTSA, por sus siglas en inglés) dijo que continuará monitoreando los posibles fraudes y que ofrecerá información actualizada a través de la página de Internet del programa.
Para más información general sobre el programa, puede vistar: www.dineroporsucarcacha.org
Requisitos para calificar
No hacen falta cupones o registros
Requisitos para calificar
¿Qué buscas en un sedán?...Opina
Estos son los requisitos para poder beneficiarse del programa:
1.- Tener un auto viejo o 'carcacha'; es decir, un vehículo fabricado entre 1984 y el 2009, que tenga un rendimiento promedio de 18 millas por galón o 16 si se trata de una SUV o camioneta pick up.
2.- Quienes adquieran un nuevo vehículo utilitario cuyo rendimiento sea de al menos 4 millas más por galón, recibirá un apoyo de $3,500, pero si la diferencia es superior a 10 millas por galón, la ayuda ascenderá a $4, 500.
3.- Si piensan comprar una camioneta o SUV, el rendimiento deberá ser de dos millas por galón superiores para recibir $3,500 y si es superior a cinco millas por galón se les otorgarán $4,500.
4.- Los dueños de camionetas adquiridas antes del año 2000 recibirán mil dólares sin importar cuál sea la mejora.
5.- Para obtener este apoyo, el propietario tiene que demostrar que tiene más de un año con el auto, que pago los impuestos y seguros y que el auto nuevo que quiere comprar rinde más millas por galón que el que entrega.
Para obtener más información sobre este programa, puede visitar la página de Internet:
http://www.automotiveconsumercouncil.com/
Read more ...
“DINERO POR SU CARCACHA” (Spanish language article)
TELEMUNDO
Aug. 10, 2009
Entérate como obtener dinero por tu carro viejo y de bajo rendimiento.
“El gobierno de los Estados Unidos ha creado un innovador programa para estimular la industria automotriz y, a la vez, proteger el medio ambiente”, según ha anunciado la organización www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com.
A través de esta iniciativa, el consumidor recibirá una ayuda de hasta $4,500 por entrar en “trade in” o intercambiar su viejo vehículo por un carro de mayor rendimiento.
La ley tiene un triple beneficio: incentivará la tan mermada industria automotriz; ayudará al consumidor; y favorecerá la preservación del medio ambiente. www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com ha iniciado una campaña pública a nivel nacional para informar a los consumidores acerca de este programa.
Detalles sobre el Programa “Dinero por su Carcacha”
Por un carro antiguo valorado normalmente en tan solo $500 podría recibir un cupón de hasta $5000 del gobierno gracias al estímulo del programa denominado “Cash for Clunkers”, que permite a usuarios de automóviles antiguos e ineficientes en cuanto al consumo de combustible cambiar su “carcacha” por un cupón con un valor de hasta $4500 aplicable a la compra o al leasing de un nuevo carro que aumente el rendimiento entre 2 y 10 millas por galón.
Para más información acerca del programa y para ver qué tipo de vehículos pueden beneficiarse del mismo visite www.dineroporsucarcacha.com, o www.CashforClunkersInformation.org
Read more ...
Aug. 10, 2009
Entérate como obtener dinero por tu carro viejo y de bajo rendimiento.
“El gobierno de los Estados Unidos ha creado un innovador programa para estimular la industria automotriz y, a la vez, proteger el medio ambiente”, según ha anunciado la organización www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com.
A través de esta iniciativa, el consumidor recibirá una ayuda de hasta $4,500 por entrar en “trade in” o intercambiar su viejo vehículo por un carro de mayor rendimiento.
La ley tiene un triple beneficio: incentivará la tan mermada industria automotriz; ayudará al consumidor; y favorecerá la preservación del medio ambiente. www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com ha iniciado una campaña pública a nivel nacional para informar a los consumidores acerca de este programa.
Detalles sobre el Programa “Dinero por su Carcacha”
Por un carro antiguo valorado normalmente en tan solo $500 podría recibir un cupón de hasta $5000 del gobierno gracias al estímulo del programa denominado “Cash for Clunkers”, que permite a usuarios de automóviles antiguos e ineficientes en cuanto al consumo de combustible cambiar su “carcacha” por un cupón con un valor de hasta $4500 aplicable a la compra o al leasing de un nuevo carro que aumente el rendimiento entre 2 y 10 millas por galón.
Para más información acerca del programa y para ver qué tipo de vehículos pueden beneficiarse del mismo visite www.dineroporsucarcacha.com, o www.CashforClunkersInformation.org
Read more ...
Brian Benstock - www.CashForClunkersInformation.org Celebrates the Success of Its Cash for Clunkers Calculator
NEW YORK, July 8, 2009 /PRNewswire/
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org Cash for Clunkers Calculator Helps Consumers Determine If Their Vehicle Qualifies For The Rebate Program
The most popular feature on www.CashForClunkersInformation.org is the Cash for Clunkers Calculator, which helps consumers determine if their current vehicle is eligible for up to $4,500 toward the purchase of a more fuel-efficient new car within 3 quick clicks of a mouse. While visiting the website, consumers can use the calculator, research new vehicles that qualify and contact a dealership -- all without leaving the comfort of their home.
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org has an easy-to-use Cash for Clunkers Calculator that quickly helps consumers determine whether they qualify for a government funded rebate and the website helps consumers get product and pricing information from a licensed dealer for new vehicles that qualify. Consumers like the convenience of inquiring online to get product and pricing information directly from the dealer. Other organizations that have put together similar tools include NADA, Auto trader and Kelly Blue Book.
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org is a consumer information portal, not a government website, so it is designed to give the consumer a simple summary of the program with tips on how to maximize the value of the rebate based on the car they decide to buy. The NHTSA, the government agency administering the program, says, "You are not required to sign up or enroll in this program. Participating new car dealers will apply a credit, reducing the price you pay at the time of your purchase or lease, provided the vehicle meets the program requirements." To make it easy for consumers to connect with a participating dealer online rather than wasting gas driving around town, the website helps consumers inquire directly to the dealer to get pricing information over the internet. Spanish speaking consumers can visit www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com to use the same functionality.
Celebrities Support www.CashForClunkersInformation.org
Due to the popularity of its Clunker Calculator and valuable consumer information, CashForClunkersInformation.org has received support from celebrities like Dancing With The Stars' Cristian de la Fuente and Ugly Betty star Angelica Vale to educate consumers about the program. In addition, Alfonso Aguilar, the former Chief of the U.S. Office of Citizenship, is also a spokesperson for the organization due to the large impact the bill has on the Latino community and other immigrant groups.
"This government subsidy will make it easy for people to get a new car that is a lot less expensive to operate and maintain because of the great gas mileage and lack of repair costs," said Cristian de la Fuente "It is great to see the government funded automotive bailout helping hard working people who need the financial support." Angelica Vale added, "Finally consumers are getting a bail out, because they are benefiting by up to $4500 a person." Since a large number of the clunkers on the road are owned by minorities and immigrants, these communities will benefit significantly from this legislation. "We have passionately supported Cash For Clunkers because of its positive impact on the environment, economy, consumers and its benefits for hundreds of Hispanic American communities whose livelihoods are tied to the auto industry," said Alfonso Aguilar, the previous U.S. Chief of Citizenship and Immigration. "This legislation will create thousands of new jobs for all Americans who work in the many business that serve the automotive industry."
CashForClunkersInformation.org Encourages Manufacturers and Dealers to Offer More
Www.CashForClunkersInformation.org continues to encourage dealers and manufactures to create their own Cash for Clunkers program to offer additional incentives to consumers above and beyond the government program. We believe that the winning formula is to have Manufacturers and dealers contributing to the government funded program to maximize the positive effect on the economy and the environment. We will continue to promote a blended strategy of the public and private sectors working together to maximize the impact of the program.
Dealers Add Incentives to Government Rebate Program:
The biggest supporters of the Cash For Clunkers bill have been manufacturers and local car dealers who see it as an opportunity to boost their own businesses and regional economies which are heavily dependent on car sales. "We understand that we cannot sell every car that qualifies for the program but we are doing our best to inform all the consumers in our market so they can take advantage of this unique opportunity while it lasts," said Brian Benstock, partner of the largest certified pre-owned Honda/Acura dealer in the world. Many large automotive groups have launched consumer information portals to educate the consumers in their local markets about how the program works. "By informing more consumers we will help them, the economy and the environment and that is definitely worth the effort of launching the websites regardless of whether or not we are the dealer they buy from," said Scott Gruwell from Courtesy Chevrolet. Some of the largest dealers in the world are sponsoring regional consumer information sites that educate the public about how the program works. Some of the sites are www.ClunkersAZ.com in Phoenix Arizona is sponsored by www.CourtesyChev.com, www.CashForClunkersDC.com in Washington DC and Virginia is sponsored by www.Sheehy.com, www.CashForClunkersNY.com in New York City is sponsored by www.ParagonCars.com and www.CashForClunkersInformation.org helps consumers in Florida, Atlanta, Ohio and across the United States. Consumers are flocking to these sites because they make it easy to see if they qualify for the program while also making it easy to inquire about pricing directly to the dealer over the internet. These top dealers and other large dealerships are also providing consumers with additional incentives above and beyond what the government provides to incent consumers to use their government funded rebates with their organizations. In addition, consumers that don't qualify for the government program can still benefit from the extraordinary dealer and manufacturer incentive programs available due to high inventory levels and manufacturer programs designed to woo the clunker consumer to spend their government funded rebate with them.
About the Name - Cash For Clunkers
Our websites refer to all the international and national vehicle scrappage programs as "Cash For Clunkers" because of the popular name given to the concept by the public and the press. While making its way through congress there were many bills with many names so the public and the press commonly referred to all versions of the bill as the "Cash for Clunkers" program. For this reason many consumer information sites, including ours, have utilized this universally understood term to refer to the many programs that exist in the world, some funded by the government (C.A.R.S) and others financed by automotive retailers. To learn more about Cash for clunkers visit some of the websites below.
Relevant Websites:
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org
www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com
www.Cars.gov
Dealer Sponsored Information Portals:
www.CashForClunkersDC.com
www.ClunkersAZ.com
www.Clunkerz.com
www.CashForClunkersOhio.com
www.CashForClunkersNewYork.com
www.CashForClunkersAmerica.com
Web site: http://www.CashForClunkersInformation.org/
© 2009 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved
Read more ...
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org Cash for Clunkers Calculator Helps Consumers Determine If Their Vehicle Qualifies For The Rebate Program
The most popular feature on www.CashForClunkersInformation.org is the Cash for Clunkers Calculator, which helps consumers determine if their current vehicle is eligible for up to $4,500 toward the purchase of a more fuel-efficient new car within 3 quick clicks of a mouse. While visiting the website, consumers can use the calculator, research new vehicles that qualify and contact a dealership -- all without leaving the comfort of their home.
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org has an easy-to-use Cash for Clunkers Calculator that quickly helps consumers determine whether they qualify for a government funded rebate and the website helps consumers get product and pricing information from a licensed dealer for new vehicles that qualify. Consumers like the convenience of inquiring online to get product and pricing information directly from the dealer. Other organizations that have put together similar tools include NADA, Auto trader and Kelly Blue Book.
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org is a consumer information portal, not a government website, so it is designed to give the consumer a simple summary of the program with tips on how to maximize the value of the rebate based on the car they decide to buy. The NHTSA, the government agency administering the program, says, "You are not required to sign up or enroll in this program. Participating new car dealers will apply a credit, reducing the price you pay at the time of your purchase or lease, provided the vehicle meets the program requirements." To make it easy for consumers to connect with a participating dealer online rather than wasting gas driving around town, the website helps consumers inquire directly to the dealer to get pricing information over the internet. Spanish speaking consumers can visit www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com to use the same functionality.
Celebrities Support www.CashForClunkersInformation.org
Due to the popularity of its Clunker Calculator and valuable consumer information, CashForClunkersInformation.org has received support from celebrities like Dancing With The Stars' Cristian de la Fuente and Ugly Betty star Angelica Vale to educate consumers about the program. In addition, Alfonso Aguilar, the former Chief of the U.S. Office of Citizenship, is also a spokesperson for the organization due to the large impact the bill has on the Latino community and other immigrant groups.
"This government subsidy will make it easy for people to get a new car that is a lot less expensive to operate and maintain because of the great gas mileage and lack of repair costs," said Cristian de la Fuente "It is great to see the government funded automotive bailout helping hard working people who need the financial support." Angelica Vale added, "Finally consumers are getting a bail out, because they are benefiting by up to $4500 a person." Since a large number of the clunkers on the road are owned by minorities and immigrants, these communities will benefit significantly from this legislation. "We have passionately supported Cash For Clunkers because of its positive impact on the environment, economy, consumers and its benefits for hundreds of Hispanic American communities whose livelihoods are tied to the auto industry," said Alfonso Aguilar, the previous U.S. Chief of Citizenship and Immigration. "This legislation will create thousands of new jobs for all Americans who work in the many business that serve the automotive industry."
CashForClunkersInformation.org Encourages Manufacturers and Dealers to Offer More
Www.CashForClunkersInformation.org continues to encourage dealers and manufactures to create their own Cash for Clunkers program to offer additional incentives to consumers above and beyond the government program. We believe that the winning formula is to have Manufacturers and dealers contributing to the government funded program to maximize the positive effect on the economy and the environment. We will continue to promote a blended strategy of the public and private sectors working together to maximize the impact of the program.
Dealers Add Incentives to Government Rebate Program:
The biggest supporters of the Cash For Clunkers bill have been manufacturers and local car dealers who see it as an opportunity to boost their own businesses and regional economies which are heavily dependent on car sales. "We understand that we cannot sell every car that qualifies for the program but we are doing our best to inform all the consumers in our market so they can take advantage of this unique opportunity while it lasts," said Brian Benstock, partner of the largest certified pre-owned Honda/Acura dealer in the world. Many large automotive groups have launched consumer information portals to educate the consumers in their local markets about how the program works. "By informing more consumers we will help them, the economy and the environment and that is definitely worth the effort of launching the websites regardless of whether or not we are the dealer they buy from," said Scott Gruwell from Courtesy Chevrolet. Some of the largest dealers in the world are sponsoring regional consumer information sites that educate the public about how the program works. Some of the sites are www.ClunkersAZ.com in Phoenix Arizona is sponsored by www.CourtesyChev.com, www.CashForClunkersDC.com in Washington DC and Virginia is sponsored by www.Sheehy.com, www.CashForClunkersNY.com in New York City is sponsored by www.ParagonCars.com and www.CashForClunkersInformation.org helps consumers in Florida, Atlanta, Ohio and across the United States. Consumers are flocking to these sites because they make it easy to see if they qualify for the program while also making it easy to inquire about pricing directly to the dealer over the internet. These top dealers and other large dealerships are also providing consumers with additional incentives above and beyond what the government provides to incent consumers to use their government funded rebates with their organizations. In addition, consumers that don't qualify for the government program can still benefit from the extraordinary dealer and manufacturer incentive programs available due to high inventory levels and manufacturer programs designed to woo the clunker consumer to spend their government funded rebate with them.
About the Name - Cash For Clunkers
Our websites refer to all the international and national vehicle scrappage programs as "Cash For Clunkers" because of the popular name given to the concept by the public and the press. While making its way through congress there were many bills with many names so the public and the press commonly referred to all versions of the bill as the "Cash for Clunkers" program. For this reason many consumer information sites, including ours, have utilized this universally understood term to refer to the many programs that exist in the world, some funded by the government (C.A.R.S) and others financed by automotive retailers. To learn more about Cash for clunkers visit some of the websites below.
Relevant Websites:
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org
www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com
www.Cars.gov
Dealer Sponsored Information Portals:
www.CashForClunkersDC.com
www.ClunkersAZ.com
www.Clunkerz.com
www.CashForClunkersOhio.com
www.CashForClunkersNewYork.com
www.CashForClunkersAmerica.com
Web site: http://www.CashForClunkersInformation.org/
© 2009 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved
Read more ...
Brian Benstock - Dealers say ‘clunker’ rebates drawing in buyers
Roland Jones
July 29, 2009
Auto dealers around the country are reporting that the first weekend of the government's $1 billion “cash for clunkers” program, officially titled the Cash On Friday, a visitor to McEleney Autocenter in Clinton, Iowa, turned in his old, rusty Ford truck and drove away with a brand new Hyundai Accent.
Christopher Choquangsam and his family bought a new car through the ‘cash for clunkers’ program, which offers up to $4,500 in government incentives for those who trade in an old gas guzzler, at Paragon Honda in Woodside, N.Y.
Between the rebate he received through the federal government’s new cash-for-clunkers program and a sales incentive from Hyundai, the truck owner bought a car worth $14,000 for just $8,000. He also got a 100,000 mile warranty, said John McEleney, who runs a pair of automobile dealerships in the Clinton area, selling General Motors, Toyota and Hyundai vehicles.
“The truck he brought in only had about $100 worth of scrap value,” McEleney said. “Now his new Hyundai has much better fuel economy than the old truck, and he won’t have to spend money on tires and brakes for a while because he has a brand new vehicle.”
Allowance Rebate System, or “CARS,” is already boosting vehicle sales, despite some small hiccups in its implementation and concerns that the rise in sales will be short-lived.
The program, which is due to expire on Oct. 31, lets new car buyers turn in an old vehicle and receive a voucher for between $3,500 and $4,500 to put toward a new, more fuel-efficient car. Cars and trucks must be 1984 models or newer and get 18 mpg or less to be eligible for a trade-in rebate.
The idea is to spur vehicle sales while the industry is struggling with the effects of the economic downturn. U.S. auto sales are selling at a pace of about 10 million units per year, down sharply from a few years ago when they sold at the historic level of 15 million vehicles annually — the benchmark for more than a decade.
The program is also designed to help the environment by getting old, gas guzzling vehicles off U.S. roads. Old cars traded in at dealers will be scrapped at a government-approved facility.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that so far the nation’s 20,000 or so dealers have made 20,564 applications to participate in the program (a dealer may sell more than one car brand, but must make a separate application for each brand). NHTSA spokeswoman Patricia Swift-Oladeinde said the agency is in the process of selecting qualified dealers and has already rejected 2,964 applications.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Monday he expects the program to spur sales of 250,000 new cars in the United States over the next few months.
“This will be a huge boost to car manufacturers across the country,” he told CNBC Monday. “This is a very good time to be buying cars in America; the very best.”
Carroll Smith, owner of Monument Chevrolet in Houston, Texas, said the cash-for-clunkers program has surpassed his initial expectations. Foot traffic at his dealership doubled on Saturday, he said.
To qualify for the program, car buyers must bring in a vehicle with an economic value of less than $4,500, he said. They must also have proof that the vehicle was insured continually for at least a year, and they must buy a new car that has a higher fuel economy. The customer must also qualify for financing, he said.
“I thought the program’s narrow focus would mean limited participation, but I’ve seen people come in that qualify,” Smith said. “When you throw in
The program hasn’t been without its glitches, he added. NHTSA didn’t release final rules and procedures for participation in the program until Friday, and some dealers have found the government’s 136-page instruction manual for the program long and confusing. Most dealers are treading into the water softly, he said.
“We had a lot of foot traffic in our store and inquiries about the program, but there has been some confusion about it, so we’re off to a rocky start,” said Smith. “We had a lot of people out there ready to buy before the rules came out, and I’m guessing buying interest at our store is up 25 percent from what it would be normally. If we end up with a 10 percent increase in sales it’ll be a good thing for us.”
The potential for a deal is drawing car shoppers into showrooms, said John McEleney, who is also chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Manufacturers are not able to diminish their incentives with the clunkers program, and so in cases where manufacturers' incentives already exist, car buyers are getting both rebates to put toward the cost of a new car. Some GM vehicles are available with up to 72 months of zero-percent financing, he added, while Chrysler has said it plans to match the clunkers incentive, offering $4,500 in cash toward the purchase of a new vehicle.
The clunkers program is also making financing for car purchases available to more Americans, McEleney said.
“A lot of people on lower incomes with credit issues have had trouble getting financing in recent months, but the beauty of this program is that people are taking advantage of a large incentive, and they’re only asking the lender to give them something like $8,000 toward a car that sells for $14,000, so the risk of default or repossession is very small,” he said.
Although the program runs until Oct. 31, McEleney expects the $1 billion in government money set aside for the program to run out before then, perhaps by as early as September.
“People are motivated because they know this program will not run indefinitely, we’re finding that even if they don’t qualify for the program, they’re buying cars anyway because the manufacturers’ incentives are so sizeable,” he said.
“A lot of people have old cars in the family, whether it’s used by a student or one they use to go fishing or hunting,” McEleney continued. “So it’s not just low-income people we’re seeing take advantage of this. It’s crossing all demographics.”
Not every dealer is upbeat about the program. Billy Dingman, who runs a Volvo dealership in Florida reckons “cash for clunkers” is a waste of taxpayer money.
“I don’t want my daughter paying for it and we’re already starting to see the economy come around,” he told CNBC Monday. “Don’t get me wrong, as a capitalist I am perfectly prepared to take your money, but I hate to see people out there buying cars just to be buying cars.”
Read more ...
July 29, 2009
Auto dealers around the country are reporting that the first weekend of the government's $1 billion “cash for clunkers” program, officially titled the Cash On Friday, a visitor to McEleney Autocenter in Clinton, Iowa, turned in his old, rusty Ford truck and drove away with a brand new Hyundai Accent.
Christopher Choquangsam and his family bought a new car through the ‘cash for clunkers’ program, which offers up to $4,500 in government incentives for those who trade in an old gas guzzler, at Paragon Honda in Woodside, N.Y.
Between the rebate he received through the federal government’s new cash-for-clunkers program and a sales incentive from Hyundai, the truck owner bought a car worth $14,000 for just $8,000. He also got a 100,000 mile warranty, said John McEleney, who runs a pair of automobile dealerships in the Clinton area, selling General Motors, Toyota and Hyundai vehicles.
“The truck he brought in only had about $100 worth of scrap value,” McEleney said. “Now his new Hyundai has much better fuel economy than the old truck, and he won’t have to spend money on tires and brakes for a while because he has a brand new vehicle.”
Allowance Rebate System, or “CARS,” is already boosting vehicle sales, despite some small hiccups in its implementation and concerns that the rise in sales will be short-lived.
The program, which is due to expire on Oct. 31, lets new car buyers turn in an old vehicle and receive a voucher for between $3,500 and $4,500 to put toward a new, more fuel-efficient car. Cars and trucks must be 1984 models or newer and get 18 mpg or less to be eligible for a trade-in rebate.
The idea is to spur vehicle sales while the industry is struggling with the effects of the economic downturn. U.S. auto sales are selling at a pace of about 10 million units per year, down sharply from a few years ago when they sold at the historic level of 15 million vehicles annually — the benchmark for more than a decade.
The program is also designed to help the environment by getting old, gas guzzling vehicles off U.S. roads. Old cars traded in at dealers will be scrapped at a government-approved facility.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that so far the nation’s 20,000 or so dealers have made 20,564 applications to participate in the program (a dealer may sell more than one car brand, but must make a separate application for each brand). NHTSA spokeswoman Patricia Swift-Oladeinde said the agency is in the process of selecting qualified dealers and has already rejected 2,964 applications.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Monday he expects the program to spur sales of 250,000 new cars in the United States over the next few months.
“This will be a huge boost to car manufacturers across the country,” he told CNBC Monday. “This is a very good time to be buying cars in America; the very best.”
Carroll Smith, owner of Monument Chevrolet in Houston, Texas, said the cash-for-clunkers program has surpassed his initial expectations. Foot traffic at his dealership doubled on Saturday, he said.
To qualify for the program, car buyers must bring in a vehicle with an economic value of less than $4,500, he said. They must also have proof that the vehicle was insured continually for at least a year, and they must buy a new car that has a higher fuel economy. The customer must also qualify for financing, he said.
“I thought the program’s narrow focus would mean limited participation, but I’ve seen people come in that qualify,” Smith said. “When you throw in
The program hasn’t been without its glitches, he added. NHTSA didn’t release final rules and procedures for participation in the program until Friday, and some dealers have found the government’s 136-page instruction manual for the program long and confusing. Most dealers are treading into the water softly, he said.
“We had a lot of foot traffic in our store and inquiries about the program, but there has been some confusion about it, so we’re off to a rocky start,” said Smith. “We had a lot of people out there ready to buy before the rules came out, and I’m guessing buying interest at our store is up 25 percent from what it would be normally. If we end up with a 10 percent increase in sales it’ll be a good thing for us.”
The potential for a deal is drawing car shoppers into showrooms, said John McEleney, who is also chairman of the National Automobile Dealers Association.
Manufacturers are not able to diminish their incentives with the clunkers program, and so in cases where manufacturers' incentives already exist, car buyers are getting both rebates to put toward the cost of a new car. Some GM vehicles are available with up to 72 months of zero-percent financing, he added, while Chrysler has said it plans to match the clunkers incentive, offering $4,500 in cash toward the purchase of a new vehicle.
The clunkers program is also making financing for car purchases available to more Americans, McEleney said.
“A lot of people on lower incomes with credit issues have had trouble getting financing in recent months, but the beauty of this program is that people are taking advantage of a large incentive, and they’re only asking the lender to give them something like $8,000 toward a car that sells for $14,000, so the risk of default or repossession is very small,” he said.
Although the program runs until Oct. 31, McEleney expects the $1 billion in government money set aside for the program to run out before then, perhaps by as early as September.
“People are motivated because they know this program will not run indefinitely, we’re finding that even if they don’t qualify for the program, they’re buying cars anyway because the manufacturers’ incentives are so sizeable,” he said.
“A lot of people have old cars in the family, whether it’s used by a student or one they use to go fishing or hunting,” McEleney continued. “So it’s not just low-income people we’re seeing take advantage of this. It’s crossing all demographics.”
Not every dealer is upbeat about the program. Billy Dingman, who runs a Volvo dealership in Florida reckons “cash for clunkers” is a waste of taxpayer money.
“I don’t want my daughter paying for it and we’re already starting to see the economy come around,” he told CNBC Monday. “Don’t get me wrong, as a capitalist I am perfectly prepared to take your money, but I hate to see people out there buying cars just to be buying cars.”
Read more ...
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Dealers Hope to Get More Mileage Out of 'Clunkers'
By Dana Hedgpeth and Thomas Heath
Washington Post Staff Writers
August 1, 2009
House Approves $2 Billion to Keep Plan Running
Wearing skin-tight, blue plastic gloves to protect his hands, Brad Brooks poured the liquid poison into the engine of a Ford Bronco, putting the 1992 sport-utility vehicle out of its misery.
Darcars Toyota in Silver Spring has stockpiled a heap of trade-ins under the "Cash for Clunkers" program. The dealership, like thousands of others across the country, has seen a flood of customers seeking to trade in their cars. (By Mark Gail -- The Washington Post)
It was quickly rendered dead Friday, and in exchange, the SUV's owner received $4,500 toward a new, more fuel-efficient Toyota Tacoma pickup at the Darcars Toyota Silver Spring dealership, courtesy of the U.S. government's "Cash for Clunkers" program. The plan was designed to stimulate auto sales in a sour economy, improving the environment along the way -- the gas-guzzling trade-ins must be scrapped rather than resold and put back on the road to pollute another day.
The program was so popular in its first week that it almost ran out of money. After an evening of confusion Thursday, the House hurriedly convened Friday and provided an additional $2 billion to keep it going. Senate leaders hope to bring the bill up next week. Meanwhile, the clunkers are lining up.
"We poured it into that Dodge and it killed it in eight seconds," said Brooks, pointing to another vehicle as he put down the half-gallon jug of liquid called "Clunker Bomb." The chemical is sodium silicate. In red lettering on the bottle, it reads, "Engine Grenade," and there's a skull and crossbones over the profile of a car.
Brooks, the service director at Darcars Toyota, surveyed the clunker haul, rounded up by the dozens in the corner of a sprawling, fenced lot: rows of old Jeep Grand Cherokees, Mercury Grand Marquises, Chevy Suburbans, a Mercedes station wagon and even a sleek, musty-smelling 1991 Cadillac Brougham with 130,000 miles and worn-out, old-fashioned, chrome push buttons next to the driver's seat.
ad_icon
The Darcars dealership, like thousands of others across the country, has been swamped with customers coming in to trade their old vehicles for new cars since the government began touting the program last month. But the effort has been beset with problems since its formal launch July 24.
Dealers and customers said they were confused about which cars and trucks qualified as clunkers, saying the requirements were not spelled out clearly enough. The program's official Web site buckled under a flood of requests to process transactions, leaving dealerships uncertain about whether the sales qualified. And some car sellers say they are out as much as $1 million because the government has been slow to process reimbursements.
Disaster loomed Thursday evening when it looked as if the program -- which was scheduled to last until Nov. 1 or until its money ran out -- was nearly out of cash. Transportation Secretary Raymond H. LaHood said that the program would be suspended at midnight Friday, drawing a flurry of calls from auto dealers and Michigan politicians seeking to save it. They argued that the program was the best thing to happen to the sputtering auto industry.
"What this deal does is it creates a sense of urgency," said Scott Gruwell, owner of Chevrolet dealerships in Phoenix and San Diego. "It pushes people on the fence to get into a new car. We need to move inventory so we can buy more from the factory." He has sold 45 new vehicles through the program, and spirits are high among salesmen and customers alike, he says.
"One billion dollars for a freeway project takes a while to trickle down," he said. "This is moving iron. It's moving cars. This is quick, fast stimulus."
So far, only 40,000 trade-in applications have been filed, according to a congressional official. But dealers say that paperwork for many clunkers sitting in their lots has not yet been processed by the government. Federal transportation officials told congressional leaders that 200,000 forms still need to be processed, according to results of a survey of dealers involved in the program.
When dealers got e-mail notices from manufacturers telling them "Cash for Clunkers" was endangered, they rushed into action. At Darcars Toyota, general sales manager Ethan Rossignol said that on Thursday night he and his staff called dozens of customers who had been thinking about buying new cars, warning them that the rebates, of $3,500 to $4,500, might disappear at the stroke of midnight.
The office lights burned until 2:30 a.m. Friday as the sales staff closed deals. By late Friday afternoon, they had taken in 111 clunkers -- selling 111 new cars.
Brian Benstock, a Honda dealer in Queens, said he started telling customers in his packed showroom, "Fish or cut bait," as midnight approached on Thursday. One customer brought in a 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante at 10 p.m. and could not decide what he wanted. "At 11:55 p.m., we told him, 'The hourglass is closing,' " Benstock said. At 1 a.m., the customer drove off in a brand-new Honda CRV.
On Friday, lawmakers hastily drafted a bill amending the already-passed stimulus package to channel funds intended for energy loan guarantees into the clunkers program. Congress will seek to replenish the energy program at a later date.
The Cash for Clunkers program, formally known as the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), was passed by Congress in mid-June to help the flagging U.S. auto industry and launched with $1 billion in funds.
Few expected it to be so popular, so fast. But some dealers say there is pent-up demand. The U.S. auto industry had been selling 17 million cars a year, but this year it expected to sell 10 million. "The clunker customers have been hanging on for years and all of a sudden someone is giving them an opportunity to get a newer car," Benstock said.
Bob Grimm, a 64-year-old retired Defense Department worker who lives in Columbia, went to Darcars Toyota last week and then researched prices online. He returned Friday and made the deal, trading in his 1996 Chrysler minivan with 176,000 miles. With the $4,500 voucher, plus rebates and other negotiated discounts -- he bought a 2010 Toyota Corolla for $11,370. The suggested retail price was $18,505.
ad_icon
"That's why I couldn't resist the deal," Grimm said. "It was $4,500 off the $15,870 price."
Congressional leaders from Michigan on Friday questioned officials from the Transportation Department about how the program is administered, whether dealers are reimbursed in a timely fashion, and on technical glitches that have made it difficult to determine how many exchanges have taken place and how much money has been paid out.
It is unclear how long the new infusion of $2 billion will last because there has been such a flurry of interest in the past week, though some dealers say they expect it to die down.
Vince Sheehy, president of the 40-year-old Sheehy Auto Stores, which has 14 dealerships in the greater Washington area, said he spent about $270,000 to run the clunker program, which required advertising, chemicals to kill engines and other administrative costs. He has taken in 260 clunkers but has yet to receive the roughly $1 million he says the government owes him. His staff recently spent eight hours on the government's Web site trying to process one claim. Still, Sheehy is optimistic.
"We finally have something that's really working," he said. "The last thing we want to do is cancel it. It's doing what it was intended to do -- stimulate the economy."
Staff writers Sholnn Freeman, Ben Pershing and Scott Wilson contributed to this report.
Read more ...
Washington Post Staff Writers
August 1, 2009
House Approves $2 Billion to Keep Plan Running
Wearing skin-tight, blue plastic gloves to protect his hands, Brad Brooks poured the liquid poison into the engine of a Ford Bronco, putting the 1992 sport-utility vehicle out of its misery.
Darcars Toyota in Silver Spring has stockpiled a heap of trade-ins under the "Cash for Clunkers" program. The dealership, like thousands of others across the country, has seen a flood of customers seeking to trade in their cars. (By Mark Gail -- The Washington Post)
It was quickly rendered dead Friday, and in exchange, the SUV's owner received $4,500 toward a new, more fuel-efficient Toyota Tacoma pickup at the Darcars Toyota Silver Spring dealership, courtesy of the U.S. government's "Cash for Clunkers" program. The plan was designed to stimulate auto sales in a sour economy, improving the environment along the way -- the gas-guzzling trade-ins must be scrapped rather than resold and put back on the road to pollute another day.
The program was so popular in its first week that it almost ran out of money. After an evening of confusion Thursday, the House hurriedly convened Friday and provided an additional $2 billion to keep it going. Senate leaders hope to bring the bill up next week. Meanwhile, the clunkers are lining up.
"We poured it into that Dodge and it killed it in eight seconds," said Brooks, pointing to another vehicle as he put down the half-gallon jug of liquid called "Clunker Bomb." The chemical is sodium silicate. In red lettering on the bottle, it reads, "Engine Grenade," and there's a skull and crossbones over the profile of a car.
Brooks, the service director at Darcars Toyota, surveyed the clunker haul, rounded up by the dozens in the corner of a sprawling, fenced lot: rows of old Jeep Grand Cherokees, Mercury Grand Marquises, Chevy Suburbans, a Mercedes station wagon and even a sleek, musty-smelling 1991 Cadillac Brougham with 130,000 miles and worn-out, old-fashioned, chrome push buttons next to the driver's seat.
ad_icon
The Darcars dealership, like thousands of others across the country, has been swamped with customers coming in to trade their old vehicles for new cars since the government began touting the program last month. But the effort has been beset with problems since its formal launch July 24.
Dealers and customers said they were confused about which cars and trucks qualified as clunkers, saying the requirements were not spelled out clearly enough. The program's official Web site buckled under a flood of requests to process transactions, leaving dealerships uncertain about whether the sales qualified. And some car sellers say they are out as much as $1 million because the government has been slow to process reimbursements.
Disaster loomed Thursday evening when it looked as if the program -- which was scheduled to last until Nov. 1 or until its money ran out -- was nearly out of cash. Transportation Secretary Raymond H. LaHood said that the program would be suspended at midnight Friday, drawing a flurry of calls from auto dealers and Michigan politicians seeking to save it. They argued that the program was the best thing to happen to the sputtering auto industry.
"What this deal does is it creates a sense of urgency," said Scott Gruwell, owner of Chevrolet dealerships in Phoenix and San Diego. "It pushes people on the fence to get into a new car. We need to move inventory so we can buy more from the factory." He has sold 45 new vehicles through the program, and spirits are high among salesmen and customers alike, he says.
"One billion dollars for a freeway project takes a while to trickle down," he said. "This is moving iron. It's moving cars. This is quick, fast stimulus."
So far, only 40,000 trade-in applications have been filed, according to a congressional official. But dealers say that paperwork for many clunkers sitting in their lots has not yet been processed by the government. Federal transportation officials told congressional leaders that 200,000 forms still need to be processed, according to results of a survey of dealers involved in the program.
When dealers got e-mail notices from manufacturers telling them "Cash for Clunkers" was endangered, they rushed into action. At Darcars Toyota, general sales manager Ethan Rossignol said that on Thursday night he and his staff called dozens of customers who had been thinking about buying new cars, warning them that the rebates, of $3,500 to $4,500, might disappear at the stroke of midnight.
The office lights burned until 2:30 a.m. Friday as the sales staff closed deals. By late Friday afternoon, they had taken in 111 clunkers -- selling 111 new cars.
Brian Benstock, a Honda dealer in Queens, said he started telling customers in his packed showroom, "Fish or cut bait," as midnight approached on Thursday. One customer brought in a 1997 Mitsubishi Diamante at 10 p.m. and could not decide what he wanted. "At 11:55 p.m., we told him, 'The hourglass is closing,' " Benstock said. At 1 a.m., the customer drove off in a brand-new Honda CRV.
On Friday, lawmakers hastily drafted a bill amending the already-passed stimulus package to channel funds intended for energy loan guarantees into the clunkers program. Congress will seek to replenish the energy program at a later date.
The Cash for Clunkers program, formally known as the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), was passed by Congress in mid-June to help the flagging U.S. auto industry and launched with $1 billion in funds.
Few expected it to be so popular, so fast. But some dealers say there is pent-up demand. The U.S. auto industry had been selling 17 million cars a year, but this year it expected to sell 10 million. "The clunker customers have been hanging on for years and all of a sudden someone is giving them an opportunity to get a newer car," Benstock said.
Bob Grimm, a 64-year-old retired Defense Department worker who lives in Columbia, went to Darcars Toyota last week and then researched prices online. He returned Friday and made the deal, trading in his 1996 Chrysler minivan with 176,000 miles. With the $4,500 voucher, plus rebates and other negotiated discounts -- he bought a 2010 Toyota Corolla for $11,370. The suggested retail price was $18,505.
ad_icon
"That's why I couldn't resist the deal," Grimm said. "It was $4,500 off the $15,870 price."
Congressional leaders from Michigan on Friday questioned officials from the Transportation Department about how the program is administered, whether dealers are reimbursed in a timely fashion, and on technical glitches that have made it difficult to determine how many exchanges have taken place and how much money has been paid out.
It is unclear how long the new infusion of $2 billion will last because there has been such a flurry of interest in the past week, though some dealers say they expect it to die down.
Vince Sheehy, president of the 40-year-old Sheehy Auto Stores, which has 14 dealerships in the greater Washington area, said he spent about $270,000 to run the clunker program, which required advertising, chemicals to kill engines and other administrative costs. He has taken in 260 clunkers but has yet to receive the roughly $1 million he says the government owes him. His staff recently spent eight hours on the government's Web site trying to process one claim. Still, Sheehy is optimistic.
"We finally have something that's really working," he said. "The last thing we want to do is cancel it. It's doing what it was intended to do -- stimulate the economy."
Staff writers Sholnn Freeman, Ben Pershing and Scott Wilson contributed to this report.
Read more ...
Is Congress Driving Drunk?
Ashley Rindsberg
Posted: June 17, 2009
Imagine a bill making its way through Congress that would boost the economy while protecting the environment -- or, I should say, boost the economy by protecting the environment. This dream bill, furthermore, would be a bi-partisan affair. Who could say no to that? Well, apparently Congress could.
This dream bill is a real life bill -- it's called C.A.R.S., or "Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program", and is classified as an Automotive Stimulus bill. The idea behind the legislation is startlingly simple: it would provide up to $4,500 in federal vouchers to Americans who trade in their old, gas-guzzling, polar bear-killing "clunker" cars for a more fuel efficient, environment-friendly alternative. For good reason, then, the bill is being called "Cash For Clunkers."
Until just a few hours ago, the bill was slated to easily get passed as part of an Iraq appropriations bill. Both Democrats and Republicans had lined up behind it and were looking forward to both a substantive and political win. But Congress seems to have gotten in its own way in the last few hours since a new procedural rule called Rule 28 is being debuted to thwart Cash For Clunkers.
Rule 28 (which even sounds a little nefarious) states that a senator can call a point of order on any bill that was created in conference and not initially passed by either the House or Senate. Once the point of order has been called, 60 senators must vote to waive it in order to save the bill.
Cash For Clunkers originally achieved bi-partisan support on the condition (given on record) by fiscally conservative Republicans that funding for the program come from an existing stimulus bill and not from additional deficit spending. However, the last minute point of order changes made to the bill call for the program's funding to come from deficit spending. A few Congressional Republicans, including Judd Gregg (who is threatening to call a Rule 28 point of order) and one of the bill's authors, Senator Sam Brownback, cannot abide: after publicly pledging to support Cash For Clunkers only if it did not increase deficit spending they cannot vote to carry the revised bill through without appearing to be hypocrites. (And we wouldn't want that!)
So Cash For Clunkers is on the verge of being scrapped. This is a shame not just because it was probably the cleanest and most sensible bill to be produced by the 111th Congress, but because it would make a real, immediate, and very significant economic and environmental difference at a critical time.
For American car owners, a $4,500 voucher would mean not only an extra few thousand dollars in the bank but an opportunity to buy a car that could save that amount of money every year thereafter on fuel and maintenance costs. Further, eligibility for a voucher was designed to be shockingly simple: for regular cars (not SUVs or trucks), you need only pick out a car with an improvement of at least 10 MPG over your last car, which cannot be more than 25 years old. For SUVs and various kinds of trucks the rules are slightly different. You can take a look at them at the Cash For Clunkers website.
In terms of the American economy, the impact of the bill could be staggering. As we all know, the American auto industry is at risk of becoming an industrial jalopy. American car manufacturers are seeing 30-40% volume loss and even though jetsetting auto execs might be getting their just desserts (or, looking at some of their salaries, are just getting dessert), the millions of mechanics, parts dealers, salesmen, and factory workers -- not to mention the job loss of collateral industries -- are just getting screwed.
Cash For Clunkers presents a way out of this mess. Barclays analysts are projecting that the vouchers could fuel up to 1 - 1.5 million additional car sales each year. With auto sales falling below the 10 million monthly sales mark for five straight months, Cash For Clunkers is literally the only legislative tourniquet that can stop the hemorrhaging.
For some reason, however, the press has been silent on the issue. Advocacy organizations like the Automotive Consumer Council have been forced to pick up the slack, alongside a more unlikely group of advocates -- Latin American celebrities such as Dancing With The Stars' Cristian de la Fuente and Ugly Betty star Angelica Vale, both of whom have come out to publicly support the bill and the campaign to inform Spanish speaking Americans about it.
And, not too surprisingly, parts of the private sector are also stepping up to take action. One of the innovators of the cash-for-clunker voucher is Paragon Cars one of the largest dealers in the country. "While Paragon's own cash-for-clunker program has a local or even regional effect on the economy and environment, the country on a whole needs a congressional initiative like this bill to make both the serious economic and environmental impact we need," said Brian Benstock, one of the partners of Paragon.
Of course auto dealers like Paragon have an interest in the legilsation, however, that's part of the strength of the bill: it's a win-win-win for the auto industry, Congress, and the American people. Dealers around the country are following Paragon's lead in pushing for the bill, which is to simply educate the public as to what it means for car-owning households. "Customers and dealers will benefit from this stimulus program so we want to educate everyone on how to take advantage of it, whether they do business with us or not," Benstock said, noting that Paragon set up their own Cash For Clunkers information site, specific to New York residents.
The bill goes to vote either Tuesday or Wednesday, which means that unless urgent action is taken a sensible, environmentally responsible, and economically meaningful piece of legislation will be sunk by a procedural rule. That might be business as usual for Congress but for most Americans during a recession it will come across as neither business nor usual.
Read more ...
Posted: June 17, 2009
Imagine a bill making its way through Congress that would boost the economy while protecting the environment -- or, I should say, boost the economy by protecting the environment. This dream bill, furthermore, would be a bi-partisan affair. Who could say no to that? Well, apparently Congress could.
This dream bill is a real life bill -- it's called C.A.R.S., or "Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program", and is classified as an Automotive Stimulus bill. The idea behind the legislation is startlingly simple: it would provide up to $4,500 in federal vouchers to Americans who trade in their old, gas-guzzling, polar bear-killing "clunker" cars for a more fuel efficient, environment-friendly alternative. For good reason, then, the bill is being called "Cash For Clunkers."
Until just a few hours ago, the bill was slated to easily get passed as part of an Iraq appropriations bill. Both Democrats and Republicans had lined up behind it and were looking forward to both a substantive and political win. But Congress seems to have gotten in its own way in the last few hours since a new procedural rule called Rule 28 is being debuted to thwart Cash For Clunkers.
Rule 28 (which even sounds a little nefarious) states that a senator can call a point of order on any bill that was created in conference and not initially passed by either the House or Senate. Once the point of order has been called, 60 senators must vote to waive it in order to save the bill.
Cash For Clunkers originally achieved bi-partisan support on the condition (given on record) by fiscally conservative Republicans that funding for the program come from an existing stimulus bill and not from additional deficit spending. However, the last minute point of order changes made to the bill call for the program's funding to come from deficit spending. A few Congressional Republicans, including Judd Gregg (who is threatening to call a Rule 28 point of order) and one of the bill's authors, Senator Sam Brownback, cannot abide: after publicly pledging to support Cash For Clunkers only if it did not increase deficit spending they cannot vote to carry the revised bill through without appearing to be hypocrites. (And we wouldn't want that!)
So Cash For Clunkers is on the verge of being scrapped. This is a shame not just because it was probably the cleanest and most sensible bill to be produced by the 111th Congress, but because it would make a real, immediate, and very significant economic and environmental difference at a critical time.
For American car owners, a $4,500 voucher would mean not only an extra few thousand dollars in the bank but an opportunity to buy a car that could save that amount of money every year thereafter on fuel and maintenance costs. Further, eligibility for a voucher was designed to be shockingly simple: for regular cars (not SUVs or trucks), you need only pick out a car with an improvement of at least 10 MPG over your last car, which cannot be more than 25 years old. For SUVs and various kinds of trucks the rules are slightly different. You can take a look at them at the Cash For Clunkers website.
In terms of the American economy, the impact of the bill could be staggering. As we all know, the American auto industry is at risk of becoming an industrial jalopy. American car manufacturers are seeing 30-40% volume loss and even though jetsetting auto execs might be getting their just desserts (or, looking at some of their salaries, are just getting dessert), the millions of mechanics, parts dealers, salesmen, and factory workers -- not to mention the job loss of collateral industries -- are just getting screwed.
Cash For Clunkers presents a way out of this mess. Barclays analysts are projecting that the vouchers could fuel up to 1 - 1.5 million additional car sales each year. With auto sales falling below the 10 million monthly sales mark for five straight months, Cash For Clunkers is literally the only legislative tourniquet that can stop the hemorrhaging.
For some reason, however, the press has been silent on the issue. Advocacy organizations like the Automotive Consumer Council have been forced to pick up the slack, alongside a more unlikely group of advocates -- Latin American celebrities such as Dancing With The Stars' Cristian de la Fuente and Ugly Betty star Angelica Vale, both of whom have come out to publicly support the bill and the campaign to inform Spanish speaking Americans about it.
And, not too surprisingly, parts of the private sector are also stepping up to take action. One of the innovators of the cash-for-clunker voucher is Paragon Cars one of the largest dealers in the country. "While Paragon's own cash-for-clunker program has a local or even regional effect on the economy and environment, the country on a whole needs a congressional initiative like this bill to make both the serious economic and environmental impact we need," said Brian Benstock, one of the partners of Paragon.
Of course auto dealers like Paragon have an interest in the legilsation, however, that's part of the strength of the bill: it's a win-win-win for the auto industry, Congress, and the American people. Dealers around the country are following Paragon's lead in pushing for the bill, which is to simply educate the public as to what it means for car-owning households. "Customers and dealers will benefit from this stimulus program so we want to educate everyone on how to take advantage of it, whether they do business with us or not," Benstock said, noting that Paragon set up their own Cash For Clunkers information site, specific to New York residents.
The bill goes to vote either Tuesday or Wednesday, which means that unless urgent action is taken a sensible, environmentally responsible, and economically meaningful piece of legislation will be sunk by a procedural rule. That might be business as usual for Congress but for most Americans during a recession it will come across as neither business nor usual.
Read more ...
Brian Benstock - Clunker of the Day: Even 'grampa' signed his name to this work of, um, art
USA TODAY
Aug 04, 2009
Is there a tagger in New York who didn't put his moniker on this poor Dodge van? If you look through the dozens of scrawls, you'll see that even "grampa" got to sign his John Hancock to his woeful vehicle, right there above the grille.
Good ol' gramps. Nice to see he can get off the porch now and again for a few minutes of felonious fun with a Marks-A-Lot pen and spray-paint can.
Poor van. It lived a long but hard life. And its owner brought this prize clunker into the Paragon Honda in Queens and went out with a new, unblemished replacement. Hopefully, the new one won't be left on the streets where it will become yet another fresh canvas for taggers, who apparently now confuse white vans for whiteboards ever since New York cleaned up its subway system.
"I think it's a winner," says Brian Benstock, the dealer's general manager, who submitted this van for Drive On's search for the worst clunker in America. He had plenty to choose from. He is up to his hips in clunker trade-ins from a busy week.
Help us find the worst clunker in America. If you're giving up your beloved ride under the clunkers program, send us a jpeg photo and description. Send it to me, Chris Woodyard, at cwoodyard@usatoday.com
Read more ...
Aug 04, 2009
Is there a tagger in New York who didn't put his moniker on this poor Dodge van? If you look through the dozens of scrawls, you'll see that even "grampa" got to sign his John Hancock to his woeful vehicle, right there above the grille.
Good ol' gramps. Nice to see he can get off the porch now and again for a few minutes of felonious fun with a Marks-A-Lot pen and spray-paint can.
Poor van. It lived a long but hard life. And its owner brought this prize clunker into the Paragon Honda in Queens and went out with a new, unblemished replacement. Hopefully, the new one won't be left on the streets where it will become yet another fresh canvas for taggers, who apparently now confuse white vans for whiteboards ever since New York cleaned up its subway system.
"I think it's a winner," says Brian Benstock, the dealer's general manager, who submitted this van for Drive On's search for the worst clunker in America. He had plenty to choose from. He is up to his hips in clunker trade-ins from a busy week.
Help us find the worst clunker in America. If you're giving up your beloved ride under the clunkers program, send us a jpeg photo and description. Send it to me, Chris Woodyard, at cwoodyard@usatoday.com
Read more ...
Brian Benstock - Car dealers applaud clunkers program as big shot in the arm
By James R. Healey and Chris Woodyard,
USA TODAY
8/3/2009
David Hersrud's small Chevrolet dealership in Sturgis, S.D., had shriveled so much from lack of customers this year that he was considering selling some of his inventory to other dealers at wholesale.
Salesman Ivan Lovera hands Ally Mahoney the keys to her new car on Tuesday at Commonwealth Motors in Lawrence, Mass. Mahoney traded in a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe for a new Chevrolet Aveo.
"We were getting a little nervous," he says.
Then the federal cash-for-clunkers program kicked in July 24, and Hersrud did a month's worth of business in just six days last week.
AUTO SALES: Ford posts first monthly gain since 2007
Cash-for-clunkers — officially the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) — helped more than Hersrud. It's credited with turning around business at dealerships across the country and resulted in Ford Motor's first monthly sales increase since November 2007.
"Without cash-for-clunkers, we would not have had a year-over-year increase" in July sales, Ford Vice President Ken Czubay said Sunday. Automakers report July sales Monday.
CARS provides government discounts of $3,500 or $4,500 to people who trade in older vehicles with poor fuel economy for new ones that do better. The amount depends on how much better the new one is.
It's "the stimulus program that has worked better than any other stimulus program," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said on CBS' The Early Show Saturday Edition.
But the program, intended to run until Nov. 1, already has run through its $1 billion budget. The House quickly voted Friday to give it $2 billion more. But it's unclear whether the Senate will follow this week. That leaves dealers like Hersrud wondering whether they'll get paid for tens of thousands of transactions they've already written — and whether to keep writing them.
Also key: Is CARS' explosive success the sign of a turnaround for the auto business or a one-time surge that quickly dried up the pool of potential buyers?
The program's success "seems to confirm a very large degree of pent-up demand" for new vehicles, Himanshu Patel, a JPMorgan auto-industry analyst, told clients in a note Friday in reaction to news that the program was fast running out of money.
He forecasts that automakers will sweeten their own discounts if the government doesn't continue CARS.
That would be good for buyers and cash-strapped auto component suppliers but bad for automakers' profits.
Senate opposition to giving CARS more money started to build over the weekend, setting the stage for a battle this week.
"This is a great example of the stupidity that's coming out of Washington right now," Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said in a Sunday interview with Fox News. "We're helping auto dealers while there are thousands of other small business that aren't getting the help. The role of the federal government is not to run the used car business."
He says he'll eagerly join any filibuster attempt by former presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to block a vote on more money.
Other senators want to change the rules and require new cars purchased under CARS to get better mileage than the 22 mpg floor in the current version. And there's some sentiment to include used cars in a revised, refunded CARS program.
Backers, though, hope those are minor detours en route to Senate approval.
"It's a successful government program ... and it's not broke, so why fix it?" says Bailey Wood, legislative director for the National Automobile Dealers Association, the dealers' main trade group.
It supports dealers and automakers, and "the driving public (is) getting new cars, and this is a win-win for America. It's a win-win for our economy," LaHood said in an interview on C-Span's Newsmakers program on Sunday.
LaHood said that an additional $2 billion "gets us through the month of August" and added, "I believe the Senate will pass this."
'A winner,' many buyers say
Automakers have forecast a mild recovery the second half this year and hope CARS is the catalyst.
Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said CARS "probably would have been a dud" six months ago. But its dramatic success "is a very important indicator that the state of confidence in the economy is beginning to pick up," Greenspan said on ABC's This Week Sunday.
In one short week, CARS has:
•Boosted showroom traffic 50% to 200%, dealers report, and some of that can be converted into sales. The program is "definitely a booster shot," says George Martell, COO at Woburn Foreign Motors Group in Boston.
•Retired close to 250,000 fuel guzzlers and replaced them with vehicles that use less.
Hyundai, for instance, says that clunkers traded to its dealers have averaged 16 mpg in combined city-highway use, according to the government numbers used for CARS. New cars that customers bought averaged 24.5 mpg, a 53% increase.
Volkswagen spokesman Tom Wegehaupt says VW dealers have handled 2,050 clunker transactions. Three-fourths were for VW diesels. Those are some of the highest-mileage vehicles available in the U.S., scoring in the mid-30s in city-highway use.
"It's the gift that keeps on giving," says George Pipas, a sales analyst at Ford Motor. "We estimate fuel savings at about 3 million barrels of crude (oil) annually, forever. It might not sound like much, but it was accomplished in a week. This could be the biggest shot in the arm for energy conservation ever to come from inside the Beltway."
•Put millions of dollars into city and state treasuries in taxes and fees for every new vehicle sold.
It's a winner in the minds of many car buyers.
"I think it's fantastic," says Samuel Jenesky, 58, a computer specialist in Pittsburgh. "It's helping to get this economy flowing."
He turned in his 1989 Jeep Comanche for a new Chevrolet Cobalt that he'll give to his son Samuel Jr., 17: A $19,000 car for about $12,000 after CARS and other discounts "was a deal I couldn't pass up."
As required, the dealer will ruin the engine of the Comanche so it doesn't end up back on the road. Then the vehicle goes to a scrap dealer.
The Jeep would use about 800 gallons in 12,000 miles, the Chevy, about 450 gallons, using government calculations.
In addition to running out of money in just a week, cash-for-clunkers has put dealers through "a nightmare," in the words of Paul Leathers, sales manager at Ripley & Fletcher, a Ford-Mercury dealership in South Paris, Maine.
A balky government website, overwhelmed by interest in the program, crashed frequently. It took many dealers several days first to register to participate, then days to report CARS transactions so they can get reimbursed for the $3,500 or $4,500 discounts they gave CARS buyers.
"There's a huge backlog," meaning that despite Obama administration promises that the program will continue at least through Monday, there's no way to tell if there's really enough money left, Wood says.
The dealers' association, Wood says, has "advised dealers they face a risk they will not be reimbursed if the program doesn't have enough money. And we believe the money already is nearly all committed."
Some dealers quit taking clunker trades over the weekend or told customers to wait until the Senate makes its move this week. Some wrote provisional CARS deals putting the buyer on the hook if the government fails to provide more money.
Paragon Honda in Queens, N.Y., is among those dealers requiring customers to bring back their new cars if the Senate fails to provide more money for the CARS program this week.
But that hasn't deterred customers, says Brian Benstock, Paragon's general manager.
"The showroom," he says, "is full."
Details on how to participate in the CARS program are at www.cars.gov.
Fuel economy ratings necessary to determine which vehicles qualify for CARS discounts are at www.fueleconomy.gov.
Read more ...
USA TODAY
8/3/2009
David Hersrud's small Chevrolet dealership in Sturgis, S.D., had shriveled so much from lack of customers this year that he was considering selling some of his inventory to other dealers at wholesale.
Salesman Ivan Lovera hands Ally Mahoney the keys to her new car on Tuesday at Commonwealth Motors in Lawrence, Mass. Mahoney traded in a 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe for a new Chevrolet Aveo.
"We were getting a little nervous," he says.
Then the federal cash-for-clunkers program kicked in July 24, and Hersrud did a month's worth of business in just six days last week.
AUTO SALES: Ford posts first monthly gain since 2007
Cash-for-clunkers — officially the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) — helped more than Hersrud. It's credited with turning around business at dealerships across the country and resulted in Ford Motor's first monthly sales increase since November 2007.
"Without cash-for-clunkers, we would not have had a year-over-year increase" in July sales, Ford Vice President Ken Czubay said Sunday. Automakers report July sales Monday.
CARS provides government discounts of $3,500 or $4,500 to people who trade in older vehicles with poor fuel economy for new ones that do better. The amount depends on how much better the new one is.
It's "the stimulus program that has worked better than any other stimulus program," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said on CBS' The Early Show Saturday Edition.
But the program, intended to run until Nov. 1, already has run through its $1 billion budget. The House quickly voted Friday to give it $2 billion more. But it's unclear whether the Senate will follow this week. That leaves dealers like Hersrud wondering whether they'll get paid for tens of thousands of transactions they've already written — and whether to keep writing them.
Also key: Is CARS' explosive success the sign of a turnaround for the auto business or a one-time surge that quickly dried up the pool of potential buyers?
The program's success "seems to confirm a very large degree of pent-up demand" for new vehicles, Himanshu Patel, a JPMorgan auto-industry analyst, told clients in a note Friday in reaction to news that the program was fast running out of money.
He forecasts that automakers will sweeten their own discounts if the government doesn't continue CARS.
That would be good for buyers and cash-strapped auto component suppliers but bad for automakers' profits.
Senate opposition to giving CARS more money started to build over the weekend, setting the stage for a battle this week.
"This is a great example of the stupidity that's coming out of Washington right now," Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said in a Sunday interview with Fox News. "We're helping auto dealers while there are thousands of other small business that aren't getting the help. The role of the federal government is not to run the used car business."
He says he'll eagerly join any filibuster attempt by former presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to block a vote on more money.
Other senators want to change the rules and require new cars purchased under CARS to get better mileage than the 22 mpg floor in the current version. And there's some sentiment to include used cars in a revised, refunded CARS program.
Backers, though, hope those are minor detours en route to Senate approval.
"It's a successful government program ... and it's not broke, so why fix it?" says Bailey Wood, legislative director for the National Automobile Dealers Association, the dealers' main trade group.
It supports dealers and automakers, and "the driving public (is) getting new cars, and this is a win-win for America. It's a win-win for our economy," LaHood said in an interview on C-Span's Newsmakers program on Sunday.
LaHood said that an additional $2 billion "gets us through the month of August" and added, "I believe the Senate will pass this."
'A winner,' many buyers say
Automakers have forecast a mild recovery the second half this year and hope CARS is the catalyst.
Former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan said CARS "probably would have been a dud" six months ago. But its dramatic success "is a very important indicator that the state of confidence in the economy is beginning to pick up," Greenspan said on ABC's This Week Sunday.
In one short week, CARS has:
•Boosted showroom traffic 50% to 200%, dealers report, and some of that can be converted into sales. The program is "definitely a booster shot," says George Martell, COO at Woburn Foreign Motors Group in Boston.
•Retired close to 250,000 fuel guzzlers and replaced them with vehicles that use less.
Hyundai, for instance, says that clunkers traded to its dealers have averaged 16 mpg in combined city-highway use, according to the government numbers used for CARS. New cars that customers bought averaged 24.5 mpg, a 53% increase.
Volkswagen spokesman Tom Wegehaupt says VW dealers have handled 2,050 clunker transactions. Three-fourths were for VW diesels. Those are some of the highest-mileage vehicles available in the U.S., scoring in the mid-30s in city-highway use.
"It's the gift that keeps on giving," says George Pipas, a sales analyst at Ford Motor. "We estimate fuel savings at about 3 million barrels of crude (oil) annually, forever. It might not sound like much, but it was accomplished in a week. This could be the biggest shot in the arm for energy conservation ever to come from inside the Beltway."
•Put millions of dollars into city and state treasuries in taxes and fees for every new vehicle sold.
It's a winner in the minds of many car buyers.
"I think it's fantastic," says Samuel Jenesky, 58, a computer specialist in Pittsburgh. "It's helping to get this economy flowing."
He turned in his 1989 Jeep Comanche for a new Chevrolet Cobalt that he'll give to his son Samuel Jr., 17: A $19,000 car for about $12,000 after CARS and other discounts "was a deal I couldn't pass up."
As required, the dealer will ruin the engine of the Comanche so it doesn't end up back on the road. Then the vehicle goes to a scrap dealer.
The Jeep would use about 800 gallons in 12,000 miles, the Chevy, about 450 gallons, using government calculations.
In addition to running out of money in just a week, cash-for-clunkers has put dealers through "a nightmare," in the words of Paul Leathers, sales manager at Ripley & Fletcher, a Ford-Mercury dealership in South Paris, Maine.
A balky government website, overwhelmed by interest in the program, crashed frequently. It took many dealers several days first to register to participate, then days to report CARS transactions so they can get reimbursed for the $3,500 or $4,500 discounts they gave CARS buyers.
"There's a huge backlog," meaning that despite Obama administration promises that the program will continue at least through Monday, there's no way to tell if there's really enough money left, Wood says.
The dealers' association, Wood says, has "advised dealers they face a risk they will not be reimbursed if the program doesn't have enough money. And we believe the money already is nearly all committed."
Some dealers quit taking clunker trades over the weekend or told customers to wait until the Senate makes its move this week. Some wrote provisional CARS deals putting the buyer on the hook if the government fails to provide more money.
Paragon Honda in Queens, N.Y., is among those dealers requiring customers to bring back their new cars if the Senate fails to provide more money for the CARS program this week.
But that hasn't deterred customers, says Brian Benstock, Paragon's general manager.
"The showroom," he says, "is full."
Details on how to participate in the CARS program are at www.cars.gov.
Fuel economy ratings necessary to determine which vehicles qualify for CARS discounts are at www.fueleconomy.gov.
Read more ...
'Clunker' Rebates Stir Car Buyers
Dealers Say Turnout Is Strong; Some Worry Sales Merely Pulled Ahead
By ALEX P. KELLOGG and JOSH MITCHELL
JULY 28, 2009
The first weekend of "cash for clunkers" rebates boosted new-vehicle sales, despite minor snags and worries the program might not have a long-lasting effect.
On Monday, Daryl Little turned in his dusty 1995 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with 362,000 miles at Cook Chevrolet Pontiac Buick in Vassar, Mich., and drove off with a new, 2009 Silverado that qualified for the rebates because it gets much better gas mileage than his old one.
Mr. Little said he would have been lucky to get $1,200 for his old truck and wouldn't have had the money to buy the new one without the $4,500 clunker rebate. "I thought I'll never get a better deal," the construction-company manager said.
It is unclear, however, whether the $1 billion program -- officially the Cash Allowance Rebate System -- is going to boost sales over time or merely pull forward purchases by customers planning to buy new vehicles in the weeks or months ahead. The program is due to expire Nov. 1.
"I don't think this is permanent by any means," said Emir Abinion, a former Ford dealer who owns two Volkswagen dealerships in suburban Chicago. "It's just a shot in the arm...I don't know one dealer who would think this will be a catalyst for sales."
George Fowler, a Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealer in Dearborn, Mich., said he has made seven sales so far through the program. More than 30 people have come in hoping to buy, but most didn't meet the qualifications. Most of those participating, he said, would likely have bought a new vehicle in the coming months regardless of the discount.
"These are people who would have been in the market anyway, and they have a trade that was worth $1,500 and now is worth $4,500," he said.
Under the program, new-car buyers can get $3,500 or $4,500 in rebates when they trade in older vehicles for more fuel-efficient models. The program was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama in June, but the rules and details were only laid out Friday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The White House is counting on the rebates to spur vehicle sales at a time when auto makers have been hit particularly hard by the recession. U.S. auto sales are on pace to total about 10 million vehicles, down from about 13 million in 2008 and 16 million in 2007. Boosting new-vehicle sales would also help the administration's efforts to turn around General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC.
Read more ...
By ALEX P. KELLOGG and JOSH MITCHELL
JULY 28, 2009
The first weekend of "cash for clunkers" rebates boosted new-vehicle sales, despite minor snags and worries the program might not have a long-lasting effect.
On Monday, Daryl Little turned in his dusty 1995 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck with 362,000 miles at Cook Chevrolet Pontiac Buick in Vassar, Mich., and drove off with a new, 2009 Silverado that qualified for the rebates because it gets much better gas mileage than his old one.
Mr. Little said he would have been lucky to get $1,200 for his old truck and wouldn't have had the money to buy the new one without the $4,500 clunker rebate. "I thought I'll never get a better deal," the construction-company manager said.
It is unclear, however, whether the $1 billion program -- officially the Cash Allowance Rebate System -- is going to boost sales over time or merely pull forward purchases by customers planning to buy new vehicles in the weeks or months ahead. The program is due to expire Nov. 1.
"I don't think this is permanent by any means," said Emir Abinion, a former Ford dealer who owns two Volkswagen dealerships in suburban Chicago. "It's just a shot in the arm...I don't know one dealer who would think this will be a catalyst for sales."
George Fowler, a Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealer in Dearborn, Mich., said he has made seven sales so far through the program. More than 30 people have come in hoping to buy, but most didn't meet the qualifications. Most of those participating, he said, would likely have bought a new vehicle in the coming months regardless of the discount.
"These are people who would have been in the market anyway, and they have a trade that was worth $1,500 and now is worth $4,500," he said.
Under the program, new-car buyers can get $3,500 or $4,500 in rebates when they trade in older vehicles for more fuel-efficient models. The program was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama in June, but the rules and details were only laid out Friday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The White House is counting on the rebates to spur vehicle sales at a time when auto makers have been hit particularly hard by the recession. U.S. auto sales are on pace to total about 10 million vehicles, down from about 13 million in 2008 and 16 million in 2007. Boosting new-vehicle sales would also help the administration's efforts to turn around General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC.
Nearly 16,000 auto dealers signed up to participate in the program, and a government hotline has handled more than 45,000 calls from people seeking information, a Transportation Department spokeswoman said. A Web site for the program registered 1.5 million hits since Friday.
A few glitches have appeared. Some dealers said junkyards in their area are ill-prepared to handle the influx of older cars expected to be scrapped. Others said the 136-page instruction manual provided by the government is confusing. Some consumers have been disappointed their cars don't qualify. The NHTSA Web site where dealers must register to participate crashed for a time on Friday due to heavy use.
But the program is bringing car buyers into showrooms, said dealers. At Paragon Honda in Queens, N.Y., General Manager Brian Benstock said he started working out clunker trade-ins before the program's official launch and has sold 50 cars this month, including eight over the weekend.
Few older Hondas qualify for the program given their fuel-efficiency, but it has been a bonus for foreign auto makers, he said. Many of the vehicles turned in are GM and Ford pickups, he said. "This has all been a market-share gain for us," Mr. Benstock said.
Steve Cook, owner of the Michigan dealership where Mr. Little bought his new Silverado, said the past weekend was the busiest he has had in months. "I'm going to sell in a week what I sold in a month."
Mike Adamson, who owns three franchises around Rochester, Minn., has seen the clunkers program triple overall sales at his Lincoln Mercury, Hyundai and Chrysler Dodge dealerships. On Monday, his dealerships had sold 50 vehicles that were awaiting final government approvals.
"It's way more than I could have anticipated," said Mr. Adamson.
Read more ...
Brian Benstock - Clunker Bill Stimulates Economy Before the Government Cuts the First Check...
By: PR Newswire
July 28, 2009
NEW YORK, July 28, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The governments Cash for Clunkers program (C.A.R.S.) began stimulating the economy a month before the first rebate check was cut to a consumer for a new vehicle.
"Manufacturers and dealers have spent millions to reach consumers who qualify for the $4500 government funded rebates," said Sharon O'Connell from www.CashForClunkersInformation.org.
Big budgets have been activated to implement campaigns targeting clunker consumers who are eligible for the program and the early results suggest the returns will be worth the investment. "We predict that the annualized selling rate for July will exceed 10 million vehicles for the first time this year due to the government program bringing dormant consumers back into the market," adds O'Connell. "We think August could do even better with a million or more sales due to increased demand from the CARS program." "The stimulus helps local markets more than national car companies because car dealers stimulate the local economy through their big advertising expenditures, job creation and enormous state tax revenue," said O'Connell. "A small dealership who sells 100 vehicles a month spends an average of $500 per car in advertising, which is a total of $50,000 that is spent in local advertising." Courtesy Chevrolet, one of GM's largest dealerships in the country, "bought new inventory, hired additional salespeople and increased our ad budget by 88%," said Scott Gruwell. "We spent $200,000 on a targeted direct mail and web campaign to every customer in our market and we launched a regional information portal called www.CashForClunkersDC.com," said Vince Sheehy, owner of www.Sheehy.com in Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland and Baltimore. "So far we have sold over 100 vehicles while most dealers in our area are just getting started." Since over 80% of consumers initiate their vehicle searches online, Automotive Manufacturers and retailers have spent a lot of money online. Ford Motor Company is promoting its program on their home page where consumers can link to a website that promotes Ford models that qualify. The New York Honda Dealers Association initiated an integrated campaign weeks before the final ruling to send a targeted mailer to every qualified clunker owner on the Clunker List in New York while most other brands were focused solely on expensive television advertising. The Association also created a regional website, www.NYCarsProgram.com, to educate New Yorkers about the program.
"Honda is the most popular brand in the New York market and nearly all Hondas qualify for the Cash for Clunkers program, so we launched an interactive website to educate the public," said Rob Sabbagh Jr., representing www.NYLIhonda.com. www.NYCarsProgram.com provides program information, a clunker calculator and a multi-media consumer tutorial that highlights the fact that nearly every new Honda qualifies. "You don't really need a complicated chart to find a qualifying vehicle at a Honda dealer," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Early Spenders are the Early Winners Most of the economic activity generated up to this point has come from early spenders who also appear to be early winners in the race to reach clunker consumers. The winning retailers have been marketing to consumers for weeks while others are just getting started. Hyundai and a small group of dealer groups got a head start when they announced they would help consumers participate in the program starting on July 1(st), while others were turning them away until the final rule was published on the 24(th). The NHTSA and the National Automobile Dealers Assn. warned dealers against doing transactions before the final rules were announced on July 24th. Despite these warnings, Hyundai and a few dealers took the risk to help consumers get rebates when the law said they could. "Hyundai has attributed 10 percent of July's sales to the program and some dealers have generated hundreds of incremental sales," said O'Connell. "We quickly created a program that helped consumers take advantage of the program and it has helped our sales a lot," said Rick Case, who has 6 Hyundai stores as a part of one of the most successful automotive groups in the country. "So far all our sales are conquest sales.
More than 70% of the clunkers were Ford or Chevy trade ins, 71% of the clunkers were SUVs, 93% had over 100k miles and 71% qualified for the $4500 because SUV's only need a 5 mpg improvement to get the full $4500 rebate. The average clunker trade in gets 17 mpg and the average new vehicle gets 25 mpg, which is an average of an 8 mpg improvement," explained Case.
"We had over 100 orders by the time the final rule was announced and our customers appreciated the fact that we could help them when they were turned away by other dealers that weren't ready," said Vince Sheehy from www.Sheehy.com. It turns out their strategy was not very risky because the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act clearly states that consumers are eligible for rebates starting July 1(st). "Edith and I, (Edith Singer, CEO of Paragon Automotive), did our homework and we realized the law could not change so we decided to help consumers on July 1st and it gave us a 24 day head start," said Brian Benstock from www.ParagonCars.com. "One of our Honda stores had thousands of leads before the bill was signed into law and they have delivered over 40 vehicles before the final rules were announced on the 24(th).
All of the clunkers have been conquest sales so it is all incremental business.
It is a jump ball for the clunker customers in our market and we are glad we jumped early." Some of the dealers who experienced a lot of success are scrambling to source more inventory to ensure they can satisfy the new increased demand. "We just bought over 100 accords and civics to make sure we have enough vehicles before our next shipment," added Benstock.
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org www.CashForClunkersInformation.org is a private consumer information portal, not a government website, so it is designed to give consumers a summary of the program with tools to help them determine how much funding they qualify for. The organization is proud to have been an important advocate of the congressional bill and now continues to serve as a voice for the public to encourage retailers and manufacturers to offer additional incentives to consumers to get into more fuel efficient vehicles that will help the environment, the economy and their industry. www.CashForClunkersInformation.org also helps retailers educate consumers in their local area about the Cash for Clunkers program.
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org was created by Level 5 Advertising, a marketing company who provides communication services to some of the largest automotive retailers in the world.
About the Name - Cash For Clunkers While making its way through congress there were many bills with many names so the public and the press commonly referred to all versions of the bill as the "Cash for Clunkers" program. For this reason many consumer information sites, including ours, have utilized this universally understood term to refer to the many automotive scrappage programs that exist in the world, some funded by the government (C.A.R.S) and others financed by automotive retailers. To learn more visit www.CashForClunkersInformation.org or one of the websites below.
Related Websites:
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org
www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com
www.Kbb.com
www.Edmunds.com
www.Ford.com
www.NYCarsProgram.com
www.Cars.gov
Dealer Sponsored Cash for Clunker Information Portals:
www.CashForClunkersDC.com
www.ClunkersAZ.com
www.Clunkerz.com
www.CashForClunkersOhio.com
www.CashForClunkersNewYork.com
www.ClunkersUS.com
www.CashForClunkersFL.com
www.CashForClunkersFLA.com
www.CashForClunkersCarolina.com
www.CashForClunkersPA.com
www.CashForClunkersMaryland.com
www.CashForClunkersVA.com
www.CashForClunkersCarolinas.com SOURCE CashForClunkersInformation.org URL: http://www.CashForClunkersInformation.org www.prnewswire.com Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved -0- KEYWORD: New York
Read more ...
July 28, 2009
NEW YORK, July 28, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The governments Cash for Clunkers program (C.A.R.S.) began stimulating the economy a month before the first rebate check was cut to a consumer for a new vehicle.
"Manufacturers and dealers have spent millions to reach consumers who qualify for the $4500 government funded rebates," said Sharon O'Connell from www.CashForClunkersInformation.org.
Big budgets have been activated to implement campaigns targeting clunker consumers who are eligible for the program and the early results suggest the returns will be worth the investment. "We predict that the annualized selling rate for July will exceed 10 million vehicles for the first time this year due to the government program bringing dormant consumers back into the market," adds O'Connell. "We think August could do even better with a million or more sales due to increased demand from the CARS program." "The stimulus helps local markets more than national car companies because car dealers stimulate the local economy through their big advertising expenditures, job creation and enormous state tax revenue," said O'Connell. "A small dealership who sells 100 vehicles a month spends an average of $500 per car in advertising, which is a total of $50,000 that is spent in local advertising." Courtesy Chevrolet, one of GM's largest dealerships in the country, "bought new inventory, hired additional salespeople and increased our ad budget by 88%," said Scott Gruwell. "We spent $200,000 on a targeted direct mail and web campaign to every customer in our market and we launched a regional information portal called www.CashForClunkersDC.com," said Vince Sheehy, owner of www.Sheehy.com in Washington, DC, Virginia, Maryland and Baltimore. "So far we have sold over 100 vehicles while most dealers in our area are just getting started." Since over 80% of consumers initiate their vehicle searches online, Automotive Manufacturers and retailers have spent a lot of money online. Ford Motor Company is promoting its program on their home page where consumers can link to a website that promotes Ford models that qualify. The New York Honda Dealers Association initiated an integrated campaign weeks before the final ruling to send a targeted mailer to every qualified clunker owner on the Clunker List in New York while most other brands were focused solely on expensive television advertising. The Association also created a regional website, www.NYCarsProgram.com, to educate New Yorkers about the program.
"Honda is the most popular brand in the New York market and nearly all Hondas qualify for the Cash for Clunkers program, so we launched an interactive website to educate the public," said Rob Sabbagh Jr., representing www.NYLIhonda.com. www.NYCarsProgram.com provides program information, a clunker calculator and a multi-media consumer tutorial that highlights the fact that nearly every new Honda qualifies. "You don't really need a complicated chart to find a qualifying vehicle at a Honda dealer," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Early Spenders are the Early Winners Most of the economic activity generated up to this point has come from early spenders who also appear to be early winners in the race to reach clunker consumers. The winning retailers have been marketing to consumers for weeks while others are just getting started. Hyundai and a small group of dealer groups got a head start when they announced they would help consumers participate in the program starting on July 1(st), while others were turning them away until the final rule was published on the 24(th). The NHTSA and the National Automobile Dealers Assn. warned dealers against doing transactions before the final rules were announced on July 24th. Despite these warnings, Hyundai and a few dealers took the risk to help consumers get rebates when the law said they could. "Hyundai has attributed 10 percent of July's sales to the program and some dealers have generated hundreds of incremental sales," said O'Connell. "We quickly created a program that helped consumers take advantage of the program and it has helped our sales a lot," said Rick Case, who has 6 Hyundai stores as a part of one of the most successful automotive groups in the country. "So far all our sales are conquest sales.
More than 70% of the clunkers were Ford or Chevy trade ins, 71% of the clunkers were SUVs, 93% had over 100k miles and 71% qualified for the $4500 because SUV's only need a 5 mpg improvement to get the full $4500 rebate. The average clunker trade in gets 17 mpg and the average new vehicle gets 25 mpg, which is an average of an 8 mpg improvement," explained Case.
"We had over 100 orders by the time the final rule was announced and our customers appreciated the fact that we could help them when they were turned away by other dealers that weren't ready," said Vince Sheehy from www.Sheehy.com. It turns out their strategy was not very risky because the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act clearly states that consumers are eligible for rebates starting July 1(st). "Edith and I, (Edith Singer, CEO of Paragon Automotive), did our homework and we realized the law could not change so we decided to help consumers on July 1st and it gave us a 24 day head start," said Brian Benstock from www.ParagonCars.com. "One of our Honda stores had thousands of leads before the bill was signed into law and they have delivered over 40 vehicles before the final rules were announced on the 24(th).
All of the clunkers have been conquest sales so it is all incremental business.
It is a jump ball for the clunker customers in our market and we are glad we jumped early." Some of the dealers who experienced a lot of success are scrambling to source more inventory to ensure they can satisfy the new increased demand. "We just bought over 100 accords and civics to make sure we have enough vehicles before our next shipment," added Benstock.
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org www.CashForClunkersInformation.org is a private consumer information portal, not a government website, so it is designed to give consumers a summary of the program with tools to help them determine how much funding they qualify for. The organization is proud to have been an important advocate of the congressional bill and now continues to serve as a voice for the public to encourage retailers and manufacturers to offer additional incentives to consumers to get into more fuel efficient vehicles that will help the environment, the economy and their industry. www.CashForClunkersInformation.org also helps retailers educate consumers in their local area about the Cash for Clunkers program.
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org was created by Level 5 Advertising, a marketing company who provides communication services to some of the largest automotive retailers in the world.
About the Name - Cash For Clunkers While making its way through congress there were many bills with many names so the public and the press commonly referred to all versions of the bill as the "Cash for Clunkers" program. For this reason many consumer information sites, including ours, have utilized this universally understood term to refer to the many automotive scrappage programs that exist in the world, some funded by the government (C.A.R.S) and others financed by automotive retailers. To learn more visit www.CashForClunkersInformation.org or one of the websites below.
Related Websites:
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org
www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com
www.Kbb.com
www.Edmunds.com
www.Ford.com
www.NYCarsProgram.com
www.Cars.gov
Dealer Sponsored Cash for Clunker Information Portals:
www.CashForClunkersDC.com
www.ClunkersAZ.com
www.Clunkerz.com
www.CashForClunkersOhio.com
www.CashForClunkersNewYork.com
www.ClunkersUS.com
www.CashForClunkersFL.com
www.CashForClunkersFLA.com
www.CashForClunkersCarolina.com
www.CashForClunkersPA.com
www.CashForClunkersMaryland.com
www.CashForClunkersVA.com
www.CashForClunkersCarolinas.com SOURCE CashForClunkersInformation.org URL: http://www.CashForClunkersInformation.org www.prnewswire.com Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved -0- KEYWORD: New York
Read more ...
Brain Benstock - The 'Clunker Report' Shows Clunker Consumers Get a 69% Mpg Improvement and an Average Savings of $750 in Gas Bills per Year
NEW YORK
PRNewswire via COMTEX
July 28, 2009
Early statistics from automotive dealers on the CARS Program, commonly known as Cash for Clunkers, show clunker consumers getting a 69% mile-per-gallon (mpg) improvement which saves them an average of $750 in gas bills a year by replacing their clunker with a new fuel efficient vehicle. "After gas and repair savings many consumers will spend less to drive a new car then they were spending to keep their clunker on the road," says Sharon O'Connell, the director of www.CashForClunkersInformation.org.
"If consumers miss their old cruiser they can buy another one with the $750 they save in gas." The organization interviewed some of the largest dealers in the country who have been selling vehicles to clunker consumers for almost a month and their findings were released today in their "clunker report." According to www.CashForClunkersInformation.org, 79% of clunkers being traded in so far are SUVs, trucks and vans with over 100,000 miles and most are being replaced with new passenger vehicles. The average age of a trade-in model is almost 13 years old, and the average odometer reading is approximately 138,000 miles. The most popular clunker trades are Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge and 84 percent of the new vehicles purchased are passenger cars.
In the sample, 64% of the government funded credits were for $4500 and 36% for $3500. "Lower priced cars have a better chance of qualifying for the larger $4500 rebate because smaller vehicles typically have better mpg ratings," adds O'Connell. The rare exceptions are hybrids that cost more but often qualify for the $4500 because of their higher mpg ratings. "The best deals for the Cash for Clunkers program are the less expensive vehicles that cost $10,000-$18,000. A list of these types of vehicles is available on www.CashForClunkersInformation.org." Based on a 69% mpg improvement, www.CashForClunkersInformation.org estimates that personal fuel consumption could decrease by approximately 300 gallons per year, reducing personal fuel costs by almost $750 annually at average gas prices. "If this early trend continues for all of the 250,000 sales that are estimated to occur under the program, it will save consumers more than $187 million dollars in gas expenses while also helping the environment," says O'Connell. As a result, the US annual fuel consumption could decrease by approximately 75 million gallons, reducing spending by a total of nearly $185 million on gasoline(1), and cutting CO2 emissions by more than 655,000 metric tons.(2) "The program is definitely working as well or better than similar programs around the world. This will encourage law makers to allocate the full $4 billion dollars that Obama initially requested so the program can continue to stimulate the economy, help consumers and help the environment," says O'Connell.
An unexpected trend is the sales to consumers who do not qualify for the government program. Chip King, from www.JerrysToyota.com, says that "over half the consumers who initially inquired about the program did not qualify but many of them bought a car anyway due to the unprecedented manufacturer and dealer incentive programs, "explains King. "We are having our best used vehicles sales month all year because consumers who don't qualify for the program are buying certified pre-owned cars," said Brian Benstock from www.ParagonCars.com. "For every vehicle sold to a consumer who is eligible for the government program we have sold another vehicle to consumers who did not qualify." We have included sample statistics from three dealer groups that have stores in major markets such as Florida, Ohio, Georgia, New York and Washington, DC. "So far all of our sales have been conquest sales," said Rick Case, the owner of one of the largest privately owned import dealer groups in the country.
Rick Case Automotive, Sheehy Automotive and Paragon Automotive Group all announced that they would help consumers starting July 1(st), which was when the law said customers would be eligible, and was 23 days before the government released the final rules. As a result, these dealers have a month of historical sales data they agreed to share for the transactions that have occurred in their stores located throughout the country. Below are some of the stats used in the sample: Rick Case Automotive: Statistics from clunker transactions in Florida, Georgia and Ohio: -- More than 70% of the clunkers were domestics (all Ford or Chevy trade ins) -- 71% of the clunkers were SUV's -- 93% had over 100k miles -- 71% qualified for the $4500 (because SUV's only need a 5 mpg improvement to get the full $4500 rebate and 71% of clunkers were SUV's) -- The average clunker trade in gets 17 mpg -- The average new vehicle gets 25 mpg -- The average improvement is 8 mpg Paragon Automotive: Statistics from transactions in their New York Import franchise stores): -- Clunker Trade ins: 69% Domestic; 31% Import -- 74% of clunkers were SUV (30%), Vans (35%) or Trucks (9%) -- Vans: 35% -- SUV: 30% -- Trucks: 9% -- Passenger Cars: 26% -- $3500 Credit: 43% -- $4500 Credit: 57% -- Avg. mpg for clunker: 16 -- Avg. mpg for new car: 27 -- Avg. mpg improvement: 9 Sheehy Automotive: Statistics from transactions in their 17 locations in Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland and Baltimore: -- 76% domestic trades, 24% import -- 79% SUV, pickups and minivans -- 44% SUVs -- 23% pickups -- 12% minivans -- 21% cars -- Average mileage 138,000 www.CashForClunkersInformation.org The regional websites and communication campaigns are built by www.CashForClunkersInformation.org, a private organization that lobbied for the bill, educates the public about the program, connects consumers with licensed dealers and helps retailers educate consumers in their local markets.
Www.CashForClunkersInformation.org is a private consumer information portal, not a government website. The organization is proud to have been an important advocate of the congressional bill and now continues to serve as a voice for the public to encourage retailers and manufacturers to offer additional incentives to consumers to get into more fuel efficient vehicles that will help the environment, the economy and their industry. www.CashForClunkersInformation.org also helps retailers educate consumers in their local area about the Cash for Clunkers program. www.CashForClunkersInformation.org was created by Level 5 Advertising, a marketing company who provides communication services to some of the largest automotive retailers in the world.
About the Name -- Cash For Clunkers While making its way through congress there were many bills with many names so the public and the press commonly referred to all versions of the bill as the "Cash for Clunkers" program. For this reason many consumer information sites, including ours, have utilized this universally understood term to refer to the many automotive scrappage programs that exist in the world, some funded by the government (C.A.R.S) and others financed by automotive retailers. To learn more visit www.CashForClunkersInformation.org or one of the websites below.
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org gathered the aforementioned information from some of the largest dealerships in the country who have sponsored a regional information portal built by the organization.
Below you will find a list of regional information portals that are sponsored by licensed dealers who were asked to provide information for this report.
-- www.ClunkersAZ.com in Phoenix Arizona is sponsored by www.CourtesyChev.com -- www.CashForClunkersDC.com in Washington DC and Virginia is sponsored by www.Sheehy.com -- www.CashForClunkersNY.com in New York City is sponsored by www.ParagonCars.com -- www.ClunkersUS.com in Southern Florida, Atlanta and Ohio is sponsored by Rick Case -- www.CashForClunkersFL.com and www.CashForClunkersFLA.com in Naples and Sarasota Florida is sponsored by www.Germain.com -- www.CashForClunkersPA.com in Philadelphia is sponsored by www.Conicelli.com -- www.CashForClunkersVA.com in Virginia is sponsored by Priority -- www.CashForClunkersMaryland.com is sponsored by Jerry's Auto Group (www.JerrysToyota.com) -- www.CashForClunkersCarolinas.com for North and South Carolina is sponsored by www.BradshawAuto.com If the press needs specific statistics for any of the markets they can contact Erin Miller at HLGroup or they can contact the dealer groups directly.
Relevant Websites: www.CashForClunkersInformation.org www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com www.Kbb.com www.Edmunds.com www.Ford.com www.NYCarsProgram.com www.Cars.gov (1) Estimates based on average driving of 12,000 mile per year, average regular-grade fuel cost of $2.463 per gallon (as of July 20 from Energy Information Administration), and an estimated 250,000 vehicles sold under the CARS program which is based on $1 billion dollars divided by an average of $4,000.
(2) gallon of gas saved = .00881 metric tons of CO2 reduced according to the EPA SOURCE CashForClunkersInformation.org URL: http://www.CashForClunkersInformation.org www.prnewswire.com Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved -0- KEYWORD: New York INDUSTRY
Read more ...
PRNewswire via COMTEX
July 28, 2009
Early statistics from automotive dealers on the CARS Program, commonly known as Cash for Clunkers, show clunker consumers getting a 69% mile-per-gallon (mpg) improvement which saves them an average of $750 in gas bills a year by replacing their clunker with a new fuel efficient vehicle. "After gas and repair savings many consumers will spend less to drive a new car then they were spending to keep their clunker on the road," says Sharon O'Connell, the director of www.CashForClunkersInformation.org.
"If consumers miss their old cruiser they can buy another one with the $750 they save in gas." The organization interviewed some of the largest dealers in the country who have been selling vehicles to clunker consumers for almost a month and their findings were released today in their "clunker report." According to www.CashForClunkersInformation.org, 79% of clunkers being traded in so far are SUVs, trucks and vans with over 100,000 miles and most are being replaced with new passenger vehicles. The average age of a trade-in model is almost 13 years old, and the average odometer reading is approximately 138,000 miles. The most popular clunker trades are Chevrolet, Ford and Dodge and 84 percent of the new vehicles purchased are passenger cars.
In the sample, 64% of the government funded credits were for $4500 and 36% for $3500. "Lower priced cars have a better chance of qualifying for the larger $4500 rebate because smaller vehicles typically have better mpg ratings," adds O'Connell. The rare exceptions are hybrids that cost more but often qualify for the $4500 because of their higher mpg ratings. "The best deals for the Cash for Clunkers program are the less expensive vehicles that cost $10,000-$18,000. A list of these types of vehicles is available on www.CashForClunkersInformation.org." Based on a 69% mpg improvement, www.CashForClunkersInformation.org estimates that personal fuel consumption could decrease by approximately 300 gallons per year, reducing personal fuel costs by almost $750 annually at average gas prices. "If this early trend continues for all of the 250,000 sales that are estimated to occur under the program, it will save consumers more than $187 million dollars in gas expenses while also helping the environment," says O'Connell. As a result, the US annual fuel consumption could decrease by approximately 75 million gallons, reducing spending by a total of nearly $185 million on gasoline(1), and cutting CO2 emissions by more than 655,000 metric tons.(2) "The program is definitely working as well or better than similar programs around the world. This will encourage law makers to allocate the full $4 billion dollars that Obama initially requested so the program can continue to stimulate the economy, help consumers and help the environment," says O'Connell.
An unexpected trend is the sales to consumers who do not qualify for the government program. Chip King, from www.JerrysToyota.com, says that "over half the consumers who initially inquired about the program did not qualify but many of them bought a car anyway due to the unprecedented manufacturer and dealer incentive programs, "explains King. "We are having our best used vehicles sales month all year because consumers who don't qualify for the program are buying certified pre-owned cars," said Brian Benstock from www.ParagonCars.com. "For every vehicle sold to a consumer who is eligible for the government program we have sold another vehicle to consumers who did not qualify." We have included sample statistics from three dealer groups that have stores in major markets such as Florida, Ohio, Georgia, New York and Washington, DC. "So far all of our sales have been conquest sales," said Rick Case, the owner of one of the largest privately owned import dealer groups in the country.
Rick Case Automotive, Sheehy Automotive and Paragon Automotive Group all announced that they would help consumers starting July 1(st), which was when the law said customers would be eligible, and was 23 days before the government released the final rules. As a result, these dealers have a month of historical sales data they agreed to share for the transactions that have occurred in their stores located throughout the country. Below are some of the stats used in the sample: Rick Case Automotive: Statistics from clunker transactions in Florida, Georgia and Ohio: -- More than 70% of the clunkers were domestics (all Ford or Chevy trade ins) -- 71% of the clunkers were SUV's -- 93% had over 100k miles -- 71% qualified for the $4500 (because SUV's only need a 5 mpg improvement to get the full $4500 rebate and 71% of clunkers were SUV's) -- The average clunker trade in gets 17 mpg -- The average new vehicle gets 25 mpg -- The average improvement is 8 mpg Paragon Automotive: Statistics from transactions in their New York Import franchise stores): -- Clunker Trade ins: 69% Domestic; 31% Import -- 74% of clunkers were SUV (30%), Vans (35%) or Trucks (9%) -- Vans: 35% -- SUV: 30% -- Trucks: 9% -- Passenger Cars: 26% -- $3500 Credit: 43% -- $4500 Credit: 57% -- Avg. mpg for clunker: 16 -- Avg. mpg for new car: 27 -- Avg. mpg improvement: 9 Sheehy Automotive: Statistics from transactions in their 17 locations in Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland and Baltimore: -- 76% domestic trades, 24% import -- 79% SUV, pickups and minivans -- 44% SUVs -- 23% pickups -- 12% minivans -- 21% cars -- Average mileage 138,000 www.CashForClunkersInformation.org The regional websites and communication campaigns are built by www.CashForClunkersInformation.org, a private organization that lobbied for the bill, educates the public about the program, connects consumers with licensed dealers and helps retailers educate consumers in their local markets.
Www.CashForClunkersInformation.org is a private consumer information portal, not a government website. The organization is proud to have been an important advocate of the congressional bill and now continues to serve as a voice for the public to encourage retailers and manufacturers to offer additional incentives to consumers to get into more fuel efficient vehicles that will help the environment, the economy and their industry. www.CashForClunkersInformation.org also helps retailers educate consumers in their local area about the Cash for Clunkers program. www.CashForClunkersInformation.org was created by Level 5 Advertising, a marketing company who provides communication services to some of the largest automotive retailers in the world.
About the Name -- Cash For Clunkers While making its way through congress there were many bills with many names so the public and the press commonly referred to all versions of the bill as the "Cash for Clunkers" program. For this reason many consumer information sites, including ours, have utilized this universally understood term to refer to the many automotive scrappage programs that exist in the world, some funded by the government (C.A.R.S) and others financed by automotive retailers. To learn more visit www.CashForClunkersInformation.org or one of the websites below.
www.CashForClunkersInformation.org gathered the aforementioned information from some of the largest dealerships in the country who have sponsored a regional information portal built by the organization.
Below you will find a list of regional information portals that are sponsored by licensed dealers who were asked to provide information for this report.
-- www.ClunkersAZ.com in Phoenix Arizona is sponsored by www.CourtesyChev.com -- www.CashForClunkersDC.com in Washington DC and Virginia is sponsored by www.Sheehy.com -- www.CashForClunkersNY.com in New York City is sponsored by www.ParagonCars.com -- www.ClunkersUS.com in Southern Florida, Atlanta and Ohio is sponsored by Rick Case -- www.CashForClunkersFL.com and www.CashForClunkersFLA.com in Naples and Sarasota Florida is sponsored by www.Germain.com -- www.CashForClunkersPA.com in Philadelphia is sponsored by www.Conicelli.com -- www.CashForClunkersVA.com in Virginia is sponsored by Priority -- www.CashForClunkersMaryland.com is sponsored by Jerry's Auto Group (www.JerrysToyota.com) -- www.CashForClunkersCarolinas.com for North and South Carolina is sponsored by www.BradshawAuto.com If the press needs specific statistics for any of the markets they can contact Erin Miller at HLGroup or they can contact the dealer groups directly.
Relevant Websites: www.CashForClunkersInformation.org www.DineroPorSuCarcacha.com www.Kbb.com www.Edmunds.com www.Ford.com www.NYCarsProgram.com www.Cars.gov (1) Estimates based on average driving of 12,000 mile per year, average regular-grade fuel cost of $2.463 per gallon (as of July 20 from Energy Information Administration), and an estimated 250,000 vehicles sold under the CARS program which is based on $1 billion dollars divided by an average of $4,000.
(2) gallon of gas saved = .00881 metric tons of CO2 reduced according to the EPA SOURCE CashForClunkersInformation.org URL: http://www.CashForClunkersInformation.org www.prnewswire.com Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved -0- KEYWORD: New York INDUSTRY
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Brian Benstock - Top U.S. Dealers Bail Out Cash For Clunkers Program: www.AutoStimulusPlan.com
PRNewswire via COMTEX
NEW YORK, Aug 10, 2009
Some of the leading U.S. Automotive Retailers launched a privately funded stimulus program to provide up to $4500 in incentives for consumers who were left behind by the government funded stimulus plan. Due to the rules of the government's program, over 90% of consumers are not eligible and consumers are not happy about it.
As a result, some of the largest retailers in the country recently launched the www.AutoStimulusPlan.com, a Stimulus Plan that is more inclusive to include all vehicles older than 2007 regardless of their current mpg. The dealer funded stimulus plan also compensates for the gaps that don't allow consumers to purchase pre-owned vehicles or choose a short term lease. A lot of customers can't afford to buy new vehicles, but the government's program does not work with used vehicles. As a result, last months used car volume was down by approximately 20 percent according to www.CashForClunkersInformation.org.
The government's rules have hurt used vehicle sales and have left retailers' inventories lopsided by eating up most of the new vehicles that qualify while leaving a surplus of other vehicles that don't. This new stimulus comes right on time because many dealers have run out of vehicles that qualify," said Brian Benstock from Paragon Auto Group, one of the participating dealers in New York City.
The clunkers have to be destroyed so we are sourcing less pre-owned vehicles, said Benstock. This has forced us to buy more used cars at auctions for higher prices. We would prefer to give consumers 20 percent more for their trades than paying the auctions more. The dealer-funded Auto Stimulus Plan includes used vehicles and allows dealers to resell the trade ins. The used vehicle component of the new stimulus plan has helped us become the #1 certified pre-owned Honda and Acura dealer in the world. So far, this is our best used vehicle month ever, said Benstock.
"Letting consumers buy a used vehicle or lease a new vehicle makes it affordable for a lot of people who could not participate otherwise," said Scott Gruwell from Courtesy Auto Group in California and Arizona, one of GM's largest dealers and a participating dealer.
The Automotive Stimulus Plan gives consumers up to $4500 in incentives towards the purchase or lease of a new or used vehicle with a minimum of 2mpg of improved fuel economy. The program has fewer rules, easier paperwork and no minimum MPG requirements.
"Now we can help consumers who qualify for the government program and those that don't," said Rick Case, owner of Rick Case Automotive Group in Florida, Georgia and Ohio. "Consumers love it because the stimulus makes the payments very low and the gas and repair savings are very high." The Automotive Stimulus Plan is a private sector program funded by retailers to provide incentives to consumers that will help the economy and the environment at the same time. To qualify for an incentive a consumer must select a new or pre-owned vehicle with a 2MPG improvement over their current vehicle, which is the same requirement the government program has for SUV's, but it applies to all vehicles under the dealers plan.
"The mpg requirements are lower because our primary goal is to help consumers that don't qualify for the government's program and to stimulate the economy through improved sales, jobs and spending," said Gruwell. "As a result, the environmental benefits may not be as big as the government program but it will help more customers get into more fuel efficient vehicles." If a consumer does not have a trade, they can participate through additional incentives that participating dealers are offering, added Case.
"In addition to the stimulus we are giving up to $4500 of incentives regardless of the vehicles eligibility. Consumers can learn more about the program and begin connecting with participating retailers by visiting: www.AutoStimulusPlan.com.
"We are very happy the $2billion dollars of additional funding but we expect it to go fast," said Vince Sheehy from Sheehy Automotive Group in Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland and Baltimore, one of the participating dealers. The plan is a great example of a successful partnership between the public and private sectors to help the economy get back on track." Automotive Stimulus Program Requirements: 1. Current vehicle is a 2006 or older 2. Current vehicle is operable 3. Current vehicle has been owned for a minimum of 6 months 4. Current vehicle has been registered for a minimum of 6 months 5. The replacement vehicle has to be more fuel efficient by a minimum of 2mpg Incentives vary based on the consumer's current vehicle and desired vehicle (visit www.AutoStimulusPlan.com for details). Incentives vary in some states due to state laws that regulate to automotive advertising and promotion. The Auto Stimulus Plan will end on November 1st and will continue if the government's program expires before that date.
"We don't mind giving consumers these extraordinary incentives because our goal is to take care of them so well that they will come back for service and buy all their future vehicles from our dealership," said John Malishenko, Director of Operations for the Germain Automotive Group who owns dealerships in Ohio, Arizona, Florida and Arkansas.
The organization informs consumers that they should be patient if they cannot get through to the website, www.AutoStimulusPlan.com, on their first try. During the program's launch there was an overwhelming level of traffic resulting in periods of interruption. Consumers are advised to visit at a later time if the site is not functioning properly.
About www.AutoStimulusPlan.com Www.AutoStimulusPlan.com is funded and promoted by some of the largest automotive retailers in the country. Participating dealers are domestic and import licensed new car dealers who have agreed to provide incentives for consumers to get a newer more fuel efficient vehicle. Www.AutoStimulusPlan.com website and communication campaign was built by Level 5, an automotive marketing and consulting firm that specializes in creating and implementing integrated programs for Manufacturers, Associations and Retailers. This stimulus plan is a private program and is not affiliated with the government program. For more information about the governments program visit www.Cars.gov.
SOURCE: AutoStimulusPlan.com URL: http://www.autostimulusplan.com
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NEW YORK, Aug 10, 2009
Some of the leading U.S. Automotive Retailers launched a privately funded stimulus program to provide up to $4500 in incentives for consumers who were left behind by the government funded stimulus plan. Due to the rules of the government's program, over 90% of consumers are not eligible and consumers are not happy about it.
As a result, some of the largest retailers in the country recently launched the www.AutoStimulusPlan.com, a Stimulus Plan that is more inclusive to include all vehicles older than 2007 regardless of their current mpg. The dealer funded stimulus plan also compensates for the gaps that don't allow consumers to purchase pre-owned vehicles or choose a short term lease. A lot of customers can't afford to buy new vehicles, but the government's program does not work with used vehicles. As a result, last months used car volume was down by approximately 20 percent according to www.CashForClunkersInformation.org.
The government's rules have hurt used vehicle sales and have left retailers' inventories lopsided by eating up most of the new vehicles that qualify while leaving a surplus of other vehicles that don't. This new stimulus comes right on time because many dealers have run out of vehicles that qualify," said Brian Benstock from Paragon Auto Group, one of the participating dealers in New York City.
The clunkers have to be destroyed so we are sourcing less pre-owned vehicles, said Benstock. This has forced us to buy more used cars at auctions for higher prices. We would prefer to give consumers 20 percent more for their trades than paying the auctions more. The dealer-funded Auto Stimulus Plan includes used vehicles and allows dealers to resell the trade ins. The used vehicle component of the new stimulus plan has helped us become the #1 certified pre-owned Honda and Acura dealer in the world. So far, this is our best used vehicle month ever, said Benstock.
"Letting consumers buy a used vehicle or lease a new vehicle makes it affordable for a lot of people who could not participate otherwise," said Scott Gruwell from Courtesy Auto Group in California and Arizona, one of GM's largest dealers and a participating dealer.
The Automotive Stimulus Plan gives consumers up to $4500 in incentives towards the purchase or lease of a new or used vehicle with a minimum of 2mpg of improved fuel economy. The program has fewer rules, easier paperwork and no minimum MPG requirements.
"Now we can help consumers who qualify for the government program and those that don't," said Rick Case, owner of Rick Case Automotive Group in Florida, Georgia and Ohio. "Consumers love it because the stimulus makes the payments very low and the gas and repair savings are very high." The Automotive Stimulus Plan is a private sector program funded by retailers to provide incentives to consumers that will help the economy and the environment at the same time. To qualify for an incentive a consumer must select a new or pre-owned vehicle with a 2MPG improvement over their current vehicle, which is the same requirement the government program has for SUV's, but it applies to all vehicles under the dealers plan.
"The mpg requirements are lower because our primary goal is to help consumers that don't qualify for the government's program and to stimulate the economy through improved sales, jobs and spending," said Gruwell. "As a result, the environmental benefits may not be as big as the government program but it will help more customers get into more fuel efficient vehicles." If a consumer does not have a trade, they can participate through additional incentives that participating dealers are offering, added Case.
"In addition to the stimulus we are giving up to $4500 of incentives regardless of the vehicles eligibility. Consumers can learn more about the program and begin connecting with participating retailers by visiting: www.AutoStimulusPlan.com.
"We are very happy the $2billion dollars of additional funding but we expect it to go fast," said Vince Sheehy from Sheehy Automotive Group in Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland and Baltimore, one of the participating dealers. The plan is a great example of a successful partnership between the public and private sectors to help the economy get back on track." Automotive Stimulus Program Requirements: 1. Current vehicle is a 2006 or older 2. Current vehicle is operable 3. Current vehicle has been owned for a minimum of 6 months 4. Current vehicle has been registered for a minimum of 6 months 5. The replacement vehicle has to be more fuel efficient by a minimum of 2mpg Incentives vary based on the consumer's current vehicle and desired vehicle (visit www.AutoStimulusPlan.com for details). Incentives vary in some states due to state laws that regulate to automotive advertising and promotion. The Auto Stimulus Plan will end on November 1st and will continue if the government's program expires before that date.
"We don't mind giving consumers these extraordinary incentives because our goal is to take care of them so well that they will come back for service and buy all their future vehicles from our dealership," said John Malishenko, Director of Operations for the Germain Automotive Group who owns dealerships in Ohio, Arizona, Florida and Arkansas.
The organization informs consumers that they should be patient if they cannot get through to the website, www.AutoStimulusPlan.com, on their first try. During the program's launch there was an overwhelming level of traffic resulting in periods of interruption. Consumers are advised to visit at a later time if the site is not functioning properly.
About www.AutoStimulusPlan.com Www.AutoStimulusPlan.com is funded and promoted by some of the largest automotive retailers in the country. Participating dealers are domestic and import licensed new car dealers who have agreed to provide incentives for consumers to get a newer more fuel efficient vehicle. Www.AutoStimulusPlan.com website and communication campaign was built by Level 5, an automotive marketing and consulting firm that specializes in creating and implementing integrated programs for Manufacturers, Associations and Retailers. This stimulus plan is a private program and is not affiliated with the government program. For more information about the governments program visit www.Cars.gov.
SOURCE: AutoStimulusPlan.com URL: http://www.autostimulusplan.com
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