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Dealers to Feds: Where's Our Clunker Cash?

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 19, 2009 12:35 PM CDT
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(Newser) – The Cash for Clunkers program certainly isn’t breaking any speed limits, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association, which believes the government is sitting on millions of dollars in dealer applications waiting to be reimbursed. “It is ludicrous at this point,” says the group’s president. “The customer is gone, the car is gone, and you don’t have your money.”

Dealers have to front the money for the program, giving customers vouchers for up to $4,500 for their old cars. In the three weeks that the program’s been active, 411,624 transactions totaling $1.7 billion worth of applications have been submitted. The Treasury says it’s aware of the problem and is working to speed up its turnaround time.

A sign promoting the clash for clunkers program is seen outside a car dealerships in San Jose, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009.
A sign promoting the clash for clunkers program is seen outside a car dealerships in San Jose, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
A handwritten sign is shown on the driver's window of a 1997 Ford Windstar minivan traded in as part of the government rebate program at a Ford dealership, Aug. 16, 2009, in Centennial, Colo.
A handwritten sign is shown on the driver's window of a 1997 Ford Windstar minivan traded in as part of the government rebate program at a Ford dealership, Aug. 16, 2009, in Centennial, Colo.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
In this Aug. 11, 2009 photo, Greg Signore, owner of Elm Auto Sales, is pictured at his used car business in Kearny, NJ.
In this Aug. 11, 2009 photo, Greg Signore, owner of Elm Auto Sales, is pictured at his used car business in Kearny, NJ.   (AP Photo/Stuart Ramson)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 22 comments
Doctor-Zaius
Aug 29, 2009 5:33 AM CDT
Wrong again pole rider, they nearly spent every dime available in the program.
cognitivefilter
Aug 19, 2009 11:55 AM CDT
so the 'cash for clunkers' government plan was really just a plan to steal money. it's apparent they didn't plan to give the dealers money back, on account of they have yet to do it...
doingtherightthing
Aug 19, 2009 10:44 AM CDT
Congress: Lets extend the clunker program were not going to pay these dealers anyway....Ha ha thats what you get for trusting the government....... Next sucker in line..... You want healthcare when? Ha ha can't you read Obamacare is Obamacontrol we give no stinking healthcare just lies..........mail, what mail, we have no stinking intentions to get you your mail ha ha stupid American......
Money • Politics • US

 
Treasury Department • car dealers • Cash for Clunkers

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