Globe Clunker Leaves Lot Missing Part
Somehow, the AGENDA-PUSHING Globe MINIMIZES the PROBLEMS with the "success."
"Clunkers deals net $65m in Bay State" by Johnny Diaz, Globe Staff | August 27, 2009
The federal Cash for Clunkers program revved up about $65 million worth of car sales for Massachusetts auto dealers, according to a new report.
That was the purpose. So government could crow about artificially inflated economic numbers.
Nationally, the three-week program that ended Monday night resulted in the sale of 700,000 new cars with rebate applications worth $2.8 billion, according to a report released yesterday by the US Department of Transportation. The popular $3 billion program, which offered drivers a $3,500 to $4,500 discount on a new car in exchange for an older, less fuel-efficient vehicle, gave a much-needed boost to automakers.
“From a sales perspective, it has been phenomenal,’’ said Robert O’Koniewski, executive vice president of the Massachusetts State Automobile Dealers Association, which represents 441 dealers in the state.
He estimates Bay State dealers sold about three months’ worth of vehicles in three weeks, but he said the program has been marred by organization issues. Indeed, the program was so popular that the government was not able to process rebates fast enough, leaving some dealers to take out loans to cover the cost of the rebates.
“From the get-go, it has been a poorly implemented program from the feds,’’ O’Koniewski said. “Less than 5 percent has been paid out to dealers to date. That puts a tremendous strain on the cash flow for the dealers.’’
That's not really telling you the whole story, is it?
Not telling you about the website crashes and the fact that YOU DON'T DRIVE OFF the LOT with your NEW CAR!
You gotta WAIT for the GOVERNMENT to APPROVE IT!!
How come BANKS don't need APPROVAL, huh?
The DOT did not return calls seeking comment yesterday....
But reporters are better than blogs because they can demand answers and responses, blah, blah, blah.
The five top-selling new models nationally were the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Ford Focus, and Hyundai Elantra....
Doesn't anyone buy American anymore?
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