Comments on: Cash4Clunkers, China Style

By: Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt — Tue, 26 May 2009 11:12:49 +0000

My apartment in China is Shanghai-pimp. Dryer, dishwasher, oven, and a big fridge; I can almost use my major appliances as pick-up lines.

I know. Keeps the girl longer the next day. “Ah. A washer and a dryer! Mind if I use it?”

By: gimmeamanual

gimmeamanual — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:56:08 +0000

I wonder if this will increase the amount of clothes dryers?

My apartment in China is Shanghai-pimp. Dryer, dishwasher, oven, and a big fridge; I can almost use my major appliances as pick-up lines.

By: Rastus

Rastus — Tue, 26 May 2009 03:09:15 +0000

Who said anything official like “death row”. I’m talking about driving down an alley way, rounding up anyone within distance who looks somewhat healthy…and killing them on the spot.

You know….CHINA!!

(”Death Row”…give me a break. haha).

By: Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt — Tue, 26 May 2009 02:53:49 +0000

Rastus: Why, you want to help reduce the world’s second largest (behind Pakistan) death row population? Can’t do that. They are (mostly) Americans with rights.

By: MadHungarian

MadHungarian — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:54:02 +0000

fincar1 : The kinds of collectors who enjoy having to fabricate parts, I’d suspect.

I live in the South. Every town has a guy who knows how to stuff a Chevy small block into anything.

By: Rastus

Rastus — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:06:35 +0000

This gives new meaning to China’s “Cash4Clunkers”…ie, they kill you on a bus and “harvest” your organs:

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Sky-News-Archive/Article/20080641236184

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=5f0_1175771241

I’m glad you like it over there Bertel!!!

Can you please get me a high-glossy brochure for one of those “Execution Buses”, please? I’m highly interested in how the unit “performs”.

Thank you.

By: Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt — Mon, 25 May 2009 16:39:39 +0000

First thing I wanted to do after having arrived in China was to secure one of those Red Flag cars to dríve down Changan Avenue with. Couldn’t find one, despite having good contacts with FAW, maker of said cars. They must be all gone. There isn’t much of a vintage car market in China, all cars are brand new. Don’t know what clunkers they are talking about. Maybe the first Santanas, anno 1985.

By: fincar1

fincar1 — Mon, 25 May 2009 15:36:27 +0000

“I imagine lots of other collectors will”

The kinds of collectors who enjoy having to fabricate parts, I’d suspect.

By: MadHungarian

MadHungarian — Mon, 25 May 2009 15:21:02 +0000

Are there actually any old Chinese clunkers to cull? It hasn’t been that long since cars became widely available to the populace. If they’re trying to scrap the old Hongqi sedans and limos (the ones that look like a cross between a Zil, an Imperial and a Kaiser), please don’t do that, I’ll take one and I imagine lots of other collectors will!

By: golden2husky

golden2husky — Mon, 25 May 2009 13:04:20 +0000

No, they also offered money for the replacement of washing machines, TV sets, and additional abominable atmosphere attacking appliances...

Why such a condescending tone? I will be the first to jump on the bandwagon about the foolishness of a clunker bill aimed mostly at moving metal, but the appliance bit really makes sense. The low hanging fruit on the tree is conservation, not hyper costly technology. Nor does this program force anybody to – perish the thought – think about changing their energy intensive lifestyle. Modern refrigerators use half the energy of those 20 years old. These things are in use far longer than that…how many 70’s era units soldier on as second/beer fridges in America’s garages? I much rather see a scrappage program for stuff like this than cars. Cars should be forced off the road only when they become gross polluters, but that’s a topic for another day…