Procrastinators Rush In as Clunkers Runs Out

(NEWSER) - Just as the "cash for clunkers" program sparked a boom in auto sales, its cancellation will likely depress the industry, CNNMoney reports. As of today, the last day of the government-funded incentive, rebate applications for 625,000 trade-ins totaling $2.58 billion had been submitted. “We're definitely going to have a hangover,” a dealer says. “I think you're going to be able to shoot a cannon through here and not hurt anybody.” More»

(NEWSER) - General Motors will start making temporary loans to dealers who have yet to be reimbursed by the federal government under the Cash for Clunkers plan, the Wall Street Journal reports. Dealers, some now irate, essentially did the same thing for customers participating in the trade-in plan—covering the government rebate out of pocket. But the federal money has been slow in coming, putting dealers at risk of a loss. More»

Other groups also unhappy with government rebates

(NEWSER) - The Cash for Clunkers program has proven to be a shot in the arm for the new-car market, but not everyone's a fan. Used-car dealers say their business is suffering, the Sacramento Bee reports. "The used side sort of slipped" since the program started, said one Honda dealership manager. Three out of every five trashed clunkers normally would have ended up on a used-car lot, auto analysts estimate. More»

(NEWSER) - The federal cash-for-clunkers program is sending demand through the roof for a chemical normally used to repel bugs or seal concrete, the Wall Street Journal reports. Sodium silicate, known as liquid glass, has been designated the agent of execution for old models traded in under the program. Auto dealers are required to pour the compound into engines, destroying them within minutes and making sure the vehicles can't be returned to the road. More»

(NEWSER) - Last week's rush of demand for new cars may may have exhausted the $1 billion earmarked for the "cash for clunkers" program, but struggling auto dealers saw their sales zoom, reports Reuters. Though exact figures aren't yet available, the program was certain to drive car sales to the highest levels of the year, beyond 10 million on an annualized basis, AutoNation estimates. One analyst predicted a new annualized sales rate of up to 13 million vehicles. More»