Over the past few months, GM, Hyundai and Ford have offered to make your payments for a limited time in case you get a pink slip from "the man."
And not to be outdone, our big-spending government is getting into the mix of offering new car incentives. So not only will Uncle Sam cover your new car warranty in case Chrysler or GM go belly up, but now it will help you save extra cash if you trade in your gas guzzler for a new car.
According to the Detroit News, President Obama is finalizing a bill that will add an additional discount that could range from $3,500 to $4,500 off your next new car deal. For a limited time, Uncle Sam is hoping to pump 1-million sales into the ailing auto industry.
Germany is currently offering a similar program, which it says has boosted new car sales by 40 percent. ...
You can qualify for Uncle Sam's latest incentive if your old ride (clunker) gets less than 18 mpg. If you're purchasing a new car, a light truck or an SUV with a mileage of at least one to four miles more than your current vehicle will make you eligible for a voucher. And for those who own a work truck or cargo van, which was built before 2002, you can also qualify for Uncle Sam's incentive by trading up or down to a more fuel-efficient vehicle in the same work class. To find out which vehicles qualify for the clunker incentive, visit the government's fuel economy guide. Stay tuned for more details as this bill becomes law.
Comments: (9)
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By: Rick on 5/12/2009 1:03PM
OK...I JUST bought a car, getting 20 MPG more than my old one. Does that mean I'm going to S.O.L. when the rebate comes out, or will it be retroactive back 30 days or 3 months or whatever?
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By: jim on 7/31/2009 9:26PM
This is a strong platform
around the planks in this platform
that respect life and respect the
entrepreneurial spirit of this great country
and those things
back to social issues
that are what, at least in the past,
had articulated and tried to stand on.
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By: Gwen Simmons on 6/15/2009 6:13PM
Hi,
How do I qualify for the "clunker rebate?" Do the car dealers know how to do this? I really do need an upgrade.
I thought I heard on television that the vehicle doesn't have to be new...just more economical than the one that I have. Is this true? Send me the REBATE FORM....we need a car NOW!!
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By: Tom Cox on 6/20/2009 11:43AM
Why are they called clunkers? I have a really nice older suburban that gets 16 mpg. I would love to get 20-25 mpg with this class of vehicle, but they do not make one. It's back on you auto industry. I for one refuse to drive a seriously dangerous mini auto just to save 10-15 mpg, plus I have 5 children, it just doesn't work. I believe they can get us better fuel economy on larger vehiles and would, if they weren't so tied to the oil market and the "speculators". I remember getting 15-18 mpg in my dad's full size vans that had a 350 in them, 30 years ago, so what's up fuel technology? Is it me or are they trying to force all of us into these little euro tinys? Soon Ford will be the only American owned and operated auto maker and half of their products are made by foreign hands, oh yeah, it saves them money. If a foreign management company buys GM, I will be buying a LARGE Ford. Heads up, cause it will get better! I am kneeling, my hands are clasp and i am praying as I say those words. Coming on America we seriously need to learn our lessons, correct the errors of our ways and have a huge "bottom of the ninth" rally.
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By: lou on 7/09/2009 3:00AM
i have 5 children and drive a mercury villager that seats 7 comfotably. It;s loaded and gets 23 mph. you can get a hybrid and get a little more. they are not dangerous, those big gas guslers
are dangerous when you hit anyone.
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By: JT Reynolds on 6/22/2009 2:13PM
Hi,
How do I qualify for the "clunker rebate?" Do the car dealers know how to do this? I really do need an upgrade.
I thought I heard on television that the vehicle doesn't have to be new...just more economical than the one that I have. Is this true? Send me the REBATE FORM....we need a car NOW!!
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By: kathy kazmierczak on 7/06/2009 4:18PM
how do you get this is there a form needed if so please send how to get it ? is this new or can you get used? what dealers do this?
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By: Beatrice Fields on 7/12/2009 3:50PM
i have 1999 ford how do i qualify.
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By: Albert Dziennik on 7/22/2009 1:52AM
It seems very wasteful to me that the trade in vehicle gets scraped as part of the program. There are many who are in need and can only afford a used vehicle. What about those people? Wouldn't it be better to at least offer the trade in vehicles for sale at reduced rate to serve the poor folks like me who can only afford used? Is there any sanity left in Washington.
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