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Cash for Clunkers Buying New Guzzlers

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 13, 2009 4:41 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Obama administration is hyping the cash-for-clunkers program as a chance for Americans to buy more fuel efficient cars, but not all buyers are going greener. Bulky SUVs and even trucks can be purchased with the $3 billion government subsidies, reports AP. Washington is refusing to release detailed records of the clunkers program, but one auto website has posted data showing buyers are gravitating toward gas guzzlers.

To qualify for the subsidy buyers only need to have a comparable vehicle that gets 2 mpg less than a new purchase, which can't cost over $45,000—lax enough rules to make a fuel-swallowing BMW X3 eligible. In Miami, one dealer said that "Cash for Clunkers is definitely generating traffic" for his biggest, most inefficient vehicles. He has sold three Cadillac SRXs, which get only 18 mpg, and is even hoping to move some Hummers.

A customer walks past a Hummer and Cadillacs for sale at a General Motors dealership in Burlingame, Calif.
A customer walks past a Hummer and Cadillacs for sale at a General Motors dealership in Burlingame, Calif.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
A Hummer H2 vehicle awaits sale this summer at a GM Superstore in Dublin, Calif.
A Hummer H2 vehicle awaits sale this summer at a GM Superstore in Dublin, Calif.   (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
A customer looks at a Hummer for sale at a General Motors dealership in Burlingame, Calif.
A customer looks at a Hummer for sale at a General Motors dealership in Burlingame, Calif.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
Spudsy
Aug 14, 2009 4:05 AM CDT
I am not sure this story is honest. I saw a listing of the most popular nameplates being bought and Honda and Toyota were the top two. Toyota has the best MPG rating for it's entire fleet. Sure, some will try to get around any program. Is it any wonder that a Caddy and Hummer dealer is going to whine about the program? Not buying this article as being on the level or well thought out.
Nwambe
Aug 13, 2009 12:59 PM CDT
oh... Looks like you got pwned. Pretty hard, if I do say so myself.
Nwambe
Aug 13, 2009 12:59 PM CDT
BINGO

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