Comments on: CARS Program to Launch July 23rd

By: karenc

karenc — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:04:16 +0000

Most “clunkers’ won’t qualify for a voucher. If yours doesn’t, you can donate car to charity and get a tax deduction instead. go to http://www.cars4charities.org or call 866.448.3487.

By: Scott Johnson

Scott Johnson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:45:19 +0000

I see this as more of an environmental project than one to benefit US automakers. Sure, it will boost new car sales while it’s going on, but the real net effect will be the increased MPG for the million or so cars that are replaced. Of course, that doesn’t count the effects on the environment of scrapping 1 million perfectly working cars and building 1 million new ones to replace them.

So, in the end, it’s really just a program to ease our dependence on foreign oil.

By: panayoti

panayoti — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:40:57 +0000

I have a suggestion. Why not have a contest predicting the number of clunkers turned in by November? You guys would keep the count secret until November, at which time the winner would be announced. “Winner” gets to do what Robert whines about all the time, write. Of course there is no pay. How’s that for the “winner”? The winner gets the privilege of addressing a topic fit for TTAC. Of course it would have to be written in the style that we are usually accustomed. I feel that this would make for better fodder, rather than speculation on the actual number of clunkers sold. What say you??

By: AuricTech

AuricTech — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:29:40 +0000

Upon checking Suzuki's US auto Web site, I see that they do at least have a CARS link on their home page; following the CARS link brings one to some basic information, including a list of qualifying Suzuki cars, SUVs (if one counts the moribund XL7) and truck (Equator with either I4 or V6). More interesting is Suzuki's 24 June press release from the company's media Web site. Of particular interest is the statement that, "in addition to its fuel-efficient automobiles, Suzuki offers an assortment of motorcycles that meet the criteria under the new legislation, including Suzuki’s new TU250X (82 miles per gallon) and Gladius (58 mpg)." Motorcycles as CARS? Who'd have thunk? ETA: One of the motorcycles mentioned in that press release, the TU250X, has an MSRP of $3,799. Assuming that motorcycle purchases get the same voucher as do auto purchases, that means that the $4,500 voucher would pay for the bike, destination fees, taxes and tags, with possibly a bit left over for accessories. Anyone up for a 249cc motorcycle on the government's dime?

By: John Williams

John Williams — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:55:46 +0000

When it comes to Asian import models, this one looks like she came out of the clearance pile.

And someone please burn the car. Please.

By: NickR

NickR — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:47:35 +0000

Burn that car.

By: ajla

ajla — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:01:56 +0000

Will US automakers benefit from this attempted subsidy considering their weakness in the budget compact segment? Don’t count on it…

I disagree. I don’t know the particulars of the UK’s program, but the US CARS program is extremely truck and SUV friendly. The 18MPG or less requirement is a killer to most anyone wanting to turn in a car.

It looks like most vehicles turned in are going to be domestic SUVs, vans, and trucks. Call me crazy, but I doubt that someone with a 1993 Ramcharger or GMC Vandura is going to be downsizing into an Elantra or Civic.

Also, considering that most “clunkers” will have lasted on the road over a decade, I would expect there to be high amounts of owner loyalty on the new vehicles because of the trade’s decent longevity.

This isn’t going to save the auto industry, but I am expecting a domestic company to benefit the most.

By: superbadd75

superbadd75 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:01:40 +0000

I’d say that the Cash For Clunkers bill (CARS, whatever) will not benefit Detroit too much, considering what they actually have to offer. Personally I’d think that the big winners will be Kia, Hyundai, and maybe Nissan. Any automaker with a nice, cheap car should reap some benefits on this deal. I guess Chevy could do okay with the Aveo, but it wouldn’t be on my list.

The girl in the photo is scary.

Hell yeah she is. She looks like she’s trying to squeeze out a fart without crapping in her pants. Any gal with a car all riced out like that is probably best left alone.

By: esg

esg — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:57:47 +0000

I think she looks like IDA. IDA? “I Do Anything”. What I am really wondering though, is where and what is her left hand doing? I wish I was changing the oil in that car so I could watch.

By: David Holzman

David Holzman — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:30:18 +0000

It would be interesting to see if there’s any drop in new car sales at all as we approach the roll-out. I’m betting no.

Why not call CARS what it is on TTAC: Cash for Clunkers. I hate these euphemistic acronyms that are meant to sanitize stuff.

The girl in the photo is scary.