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08 Aug 2009 17:46

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Biz, U.S.: Does Cash for Clunkers destroy classic cars or kill off cruddy ones?

  • It would be a shame to wipe out the rootstock of all the great cars that followed, to see a utopian symbol like the Jeep Grand Wagoneer or a car with the rich personality of an Alfa Romeo 164 get clobbered.
  • Car and Driver editor in chief Eddie Alterman • Discussing some of the cars that could head off the road thanks to Cash for Clunkers, which just got another financial boost from the government. While cars of the era that are getting taken off the streets – vehicles made after 1984 – were made in a period where vehicle quality was in decline (hence the name of the program), some cars were definitely keepers that would stand the test of time. • source

06 Aug 2009 20:58

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U.S.: Cash reclunked: The senate lets more clunker funds flow

  • 60-37 looks just like the Sotomayor vote source

05 Aug 2009 11:07

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Biz, Tech: Remember how Sirius XM was close to bankruptcy? Neither do we

  • +18% increase in Sirius XM’s stock this week alone, due to high levels of investor optimism
  • two reasons why investors are happy: the cash-for-clunkers program and the company’s iPhone app source

02 Aug 2009 02:33

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Biz, U.S.: Coming soon: More cash for more clunkers? It’s up to the Senate

  • $2 billion is on the table, but it still needs Senate approval source

01 Aug 2009 13:15

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Biz, U.S.: What happens to the vehicles clunked for cash?

  • It’s kind of backwards because we’re used to fixing them. But it’s kind of fun to destroy them at the same time.
  • Auto technician John Eichorn • Describing what he does with the gas-guzzler vehicles exchanged in the Cash-for-Clunkers program. Eichorn has to put a special chemical in the motor that freezes it, preventing it from running (the vehicle gets a special stamp noting this), but other parts of the vehicle can be re-used once it’s brought to a salvage yard. “Some of it is a shame because they are good running vehicles,” he says, “but the program wouldn’t be effective if the car wasn’t destroyed because it can’t be on the road anymore.” • source

31 Jul 2009 10:09

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Biz, U.S.: Cash-for-clunkers in the trash: Is it suspended, or isn’t it?

The money is nearly gone. The Transportation Department says it’s suspended. The White House says it isn’t. Dealers weren’t sure. PANIC! source

30 Jul 2009 20:53

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Biz, U.S.: That was quick: The cash-for-clunkers program, put on hold

  • one month the length of time the cash-for-clunkers program was in operation; it was as popular as a pile of free KFC coupons
  • $850 million amount the program had given out so far; just $1 billion was set aside for it, and details were only nailed down a week ago source
 

09 Jul 2009 23:36

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Biz, U.S.: The cash-for-clunkers plan is making auto salespeople excited

  • Are we excited about it? Absolutely! We think it is a great opportunity for people to get rid of their clunkers.
  • Cliff Johnson • President of Texas Motors Ford, on the cash-for-clunkers program the Obama administration implemented this year. The plan, which gives consumers up to $4,500 in credit to swap aging vehicles for newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles, has fans all over the map: Consumers, environmentalists, automakers and guys that sell cars for a living. Only the latter category talks like Cliff Johnson, though. • source