'Cash For Clunkers' Safe: White House

Layoffs, property price plunge leaves middle-aged workers in limbo

(NEWSER) - Tens of thousands of middle-aged white-collar workers have been left jobless and stranded in Michigan by the recession, the Wall Street Journal reports. Auto industry veterans laid off by the Big Three are finding themselves competing against against younger people for a smattering of job openings. With property prices down 45% from their 2006 peak, people are unable or unwilling to sell their homes and seek work elsewhere. More»

(AP) - The government plans to suspend its popular "cash for clunkers" program amid concerns it could quickly use up the $1 billion in rebates for new car purchases. The Transportation Department called lawmakers' offices to alert them to the decision to suspend the program at midnight Friday. The program offers owners of old cars and trucks $3,500 or $4,500 toward a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle. More»

Administration triumphs as bankruptcy effectively ends

(NEWSER) - Chrysler finalized its sale of assets to Fiat with a government wire transfer this morning that gave Chrysler $6.6 billion in funds to exit bankruptcy, the New York Times reports. The sale is good news for the Obama administration, which sought an “efficient” restructuring for Chrysler. It may also provide a glimpse into the future of General Motors, also navigating bankruptcy. More»

Some don't feel sorry for 'high-on-the-hog' Detroit giants

(NEWSER) - The auto industry has driven Michigan’s economy since Henry Ford set up shop, but not all residents are sympathetic to Detroit’s plight, the New York Times reports. Unemployment runs high, and some wonder where the rescue was when their livelihoods were on the line. “The car companies saw the banks getting a bailout and said, ‘Oh, let’s go!’” one resident grumbles. More»

Money coming later rather than sooner

(NEWSER) - Detroit's $25 billion loan is sitting in Washington, the Washington Post reports, and may take more than a year to distribute, despite the auto industry's increasing desperation for the cash. The Energy Department, which was tasked with doling out the money, says various legal and administrative requirements will drag the process out 6-18 months. “Congress had the opportunity to waive these requirements,” said a department spokeswoman, but “has chosen not to.” More»