‘Clunkers’ Auto Rebate Plan So Popular That It’s Already Broke

[Caliga]

I don't see a bike or a sporty two seater being able to tow my boat.

[KRonn]

Some cash for clunker news.

This surprised me - people could get rebates to buy new gas guzzlers, a somewhat little publicized provision in the bill. Probably one of those changes that always get snuck in to "encourage" the vote of a few Congress members.

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/automotive/view/20090814clunker_bucks_buy_guzzlers/srvc=business&position=recent_bullet

Clunker bucks buy guzzlers

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This is a positive trend. Seems small but it's probably a large increase in gas mileage, as the article says.

July sees big jump in fuel efficiency of new cars
Research suggests Cash for Clunkers getting old polluters off the road

WASHINGTON - Cars and light trucks sold in July got more miles per gallon than those sold in previous months, say researchers, who credit the Cash for Clunkers program.

The average mileage for new vehicles rose from 21.4 miles per gallon in June to 22.1 mpg in July. That may not sound like much, but it's the highest mileage that researchers at the University of Michigan have seen since the Environmental Protection Agency reconfigured mileage estimates in October 2007. It's also the biggest one-month jump.
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I guess it was figured this would be part of the results. Increased prices and shortage of used cars and parts. Charities that in donated cars feeling the pinch.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32334931/ns/business-autos/
Cash for Clunkers throws some into reverse
Dealers in used cars, parts join charities in feeling popular program's bite