I just wanted to make a comment about the just finished CASH FOR CLUNKERS PROGRAM.
Nearly three (3) billion dollars of government (taxpayer) money went to auto dealers / manufacturers who sold new cars to people that traded in their so called clunkers or autos that did not have good mpg ratings. The best deal was to buy a new car with a 10 mpg better fuel economy than the auto you traded in (trade in a clunker that gets 14 mpg and buy an auto that gets at least 24 mpg).
Here is the irony; most of the government money that was spent went to brands other than American brands. OK, Ford did get into the top ten by the skin of their teeth with their Ford Focus and Ford Escape Hybrid; the rest went to Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, etc.
Why, because GM, Chrysler and Ford’s inventories were loaded with trucks and SUVs that did not get great fuel efficiencies or at least 10 mpg more than most clunkers; so American car buyers had to go to the people that had high fuel efficiency vehicles to sell – the Asians.
This fact has not been publicized too heavily in the media since it would once again point to American auto manufacturer’s lack of vision or planning or basic smarts; again we are too late and now we must follow. When will we lead?
Nearly three (3) billion dollars of government (taxpayer) money went to auto dealers / manufacturers who sold new cars to people that traded in their so called clunkers or autos that did not have good mpg ratings. The best deal was to buy a new car with a 10 mpg better fuel economy than the auto you traded in (trade in a clunker that gets 14 mpg and buy an auto that gets at least 24 mpg).
Here is the irony; most of the government money that was spent went to brands other than American brands. OK, Ford did get into the top ten by the skin of their teeth with their Ford Focus and Ford Escape Hybrid; the rest went to Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, etc.
Why, because GM, Chrysler and Ford’s inventories were loaded with trucks and SUVs that did not get great fuel efficiencies or at least 10 mpg more than most clunkers; so American car buyers had to go to the people that had high fuel efficiency vehicles to sell – the Asians.
This fact has not been publicized too heavily in the media since it would once again point to American auto manufacturer’s lack of vision or planning or basic smarts; again we are too late and now we must follow. When will we lead?
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