Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Cash-For-Clunkers dealers instructed to kill engines with sodium silicate]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/26/report-cash-for-clunkers-dealers-instructed-to-kill-engines-wit/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/26/report-cash-for-clunkers-dealers-instructed-to-kill-engines-wit/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/26/report-cash-for-clunkers-dealers-instructed-to-kill-engines-wit/#commentsFiled under: , ,



According to Bloomberg, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration got wind that some cars being turned in under Germany's Cash-For-Clunkers program were being certified as destroyed, but actually being resold. To prevent that scenario from repeating itself in the U.S., land of Honest Abe, dealers have apparently been instructed to fill the engines of trade-ins with sodium silicate and run them for seven minutes in order to permanently disable them.

Early reports from around the country indicate that Cash-For-Clunkers is having the intended effect, and the authorities want to make sure no one takes undue advantage by making money on the turned-in vehicles. Normally sodium silicate, often referred to as "liquid glass," is used to seal leaks in things like head gaskets, but in this case, it's used to seize an engine that could be well worth reselling. Dealer records will be reviewed by federal agents, and if the dealer is found not to have complied, the dealer will have to pay $15,000 per infraction.

[Source: Bloomberg via Boston.com | Image - Dave7 under CC2.0]

REPORT: Cash-For-Clunkers dealers instructed to kill engines with sodium silicate originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Jul 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car buyingcar salesCarBuyingCarSalescash for clunkerscash-for-clunkersCashForClunkersgovernmentnational highway traffic safety administrationNationalHighwayTrafficSafetyAdministrationnhtsarebatescrappagesodium silicateSodiumSilicateused carsUsedCarsSun, 26 Jul 2009 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Cash-for-Clunkers trade-ins account for 7 percent of Hyundai sales in first week]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/10/cash-for-clunkers-trade-ins-account-for-7-percent-of-hyundai-sal/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/10/cash-for-clunkers-trade-ins-account-for-7-percent-of-hyundai-sal/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/10/cash-for-clunkers-trade-ins-account-for-7-percent-of-hyundai-sal/#commentsFiled under: ,



So far, Hyundai has been the only automaker in the U.S. to accept early trade-ins under the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), or Cash-for-Clunkers (CFC), program. Most are waiting for the U.S. Department of Transportation to finalize the program's rules and regulations by July 24th, but Hyundai decided to start early since the program covers all transactions dating back to July 1st. Since the government hasn't set up a reimbursement process for the rebates that range from $3,500 to $4,500 just yet, Hyundai is floating its participating dealers short-term loans in the meantime.

After just one week of accepting Cash-for-Clunkers trade-ins, Hyundai has revealed that these deals added up to 7 percent of its overall sales and could reach 10 percent by month's end. The most interesting statistics, however, are what's being traded in. While Hyundai doesn't break it down by model, according to its numbers, 32 percent were Ford vehicles, 23 percent Dodge and the rest were from Lexus, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz. Keep in mind, all these customers are trading in for a Hyundai, and 41 percent chose the Elantra! The Sonata came in second with 29 percent of CFC sales and the Accent third with 16 percent.

Judging by this early report on how the CFC program affects sales, it will be very interesting to see what happens after the hammer drops on July 24th and all automakers begin participating. The effect on July sales will likely be small, so we'll have to wait until the end of August to see if Cash-for-Clunkers has really made a difference. For Hyundai, however, it already has.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Cash-for-Clunkers trade-ins account for 7 percent of Hyundai sales in first week

Cash-for-Clunkers trade-ins account for 7 percent of Hyundai sales in first week originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car allowance rebate systemCarAllowanceRebateSystemcash for clunkerscash-for-clunkersCashForClunkersCFChyundaihyundai salesHyundaiSalesFri, 10 Jul 2009 17:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyundai starts accepting Cash-for-Clunkers trade-ins early]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/hyundai-starts-accepting-cash-for-clunkers-trade-ins-early/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/hyundai-starts-accepting-cash-for-clunkers-trade-ins-early/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/02/hyundai-starts-accepting-cash-for-clunkers-trade-ins-early/#commentsFiled under: ,


2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring - Click above for high-res image gallery

While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration doesn't plan to release its final rules and regulations for the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), otherwise known as Cash-for-Clunkers program, until July 23rd, Hyundai has decided that its customers don't have to wait. Alexandria Hyundai in Alexandria, VA has already accepted the first trade-in and doled out its first rebate. The clunker is a 15-mpg 1995 Ford Explorer, and Katherine Michon of Arlington, VA traded it in for a $4,500 credit on a brand new 26-mpg Hyundai Elantra Touring.

How can Hyundai get away with accepting clunkers early? The automaker is giving dealers short-term cash advances to cover the cost of its rebates until the CARS program officially kicks off later this month. Hyundai has 13 models with particular engine combinations that qualify for CARS, and the NHTSA has already confirmed that transactions on or after July 1, 2009 are eligible.

This could be a brilliant move on Hyundai's part, since its own internal research shows that 11 percent of car shoppers have delayed their purchase to take advantage of the rebates. If Hyundai is the only game in town that's accepting trade-ins and giving rebates early, it could steal a few sales away from other brands that are waiting patiently for the program to officially begin.

On the other hand, the NHTSA warns on the CARS official website that "interested dealers and consumers may want to wait until all of the detailed issues that must be addressed in the implementing regulations are resolved and the final rule is issued." By that time, however, you'll be driving around in a new car and getting reimbursed for the rebate will by Hyundai's problem.


Gallery: Review: 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring


[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Hyundai starts accepting Cash-for-Clunkers trade-ins early

Hyundai starts accepting Cash-for-Clunkers trade-ins early originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CARScash for clunkerscash-for-clunkersCashForClunkersCFCclunkerselantra touringElantraTouringhyundaihyundai elantra touringHyundaiElantraTouringtrade-inThu, 02 Jul 2009 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Cash for Clunkers to officially begin July 23]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/30/cash-for-clunkers-to-officially-begin-july-23/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/30/cash-for-clunkers-to-officially-begin-july-23/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/30/cash-for-clunkers-to-officially-begin-july-23/#commentsFiled under: , ,



When President Obama signed the Cash-for-Clunkers bill into law back on June 24, the Transportation Department was given 30 days to set the official rules and regulations for the program that will put the plan into motion. According to the official CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System) site, NHTSA intends to get the deed done a day early by July 23. Although the paper the President signed stipulated that consumers may be eligible for the program starting on Wednesday, July 1, the Transportation Department is warning dealers not the jump the gun:
Interested dealers and consumers may want to wait until all of the detailed issues that must be addressed in the implementing regulations are resolved. If a dealer chooses to structure a transaction before the final rule is issued, they will bear the risks associated with later demonstrating that the transaction meets all of the specifications of the final rule.
Dealerships who violate the official rules and regulations may be subject to fines of up to $15,000. Still have questions? Click here to see the complete list of FAQs straight from the NHTSA.

[Source: CARS | Image: kudzuplanet under C.C. 2.0]

Cash for Clunkers to officially begin July 23 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobloggreencar allowance rebate systemCarAllowanceRebateSystemcars programCarsProgramcash 4 clunkerscash for clunkerscash-for-clunkersCash4ClunkersCashForClunkersobamasalvagevoucherTue, 30 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford launches Cash-for-Clunkers eligibility calculator]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/25/ford-launches-cash-for-clunkers-eligibility-calculator/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/25/ford-launches-cash-for-clunkers-eligibility-calculator/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/25/ford-launches-cash-for-clunkers-eligibility-calculator/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In the coming weeks before the U.S. Department of Transportation finalizes the rules and regulations for the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), otherwise known as Cash-for-Clunkers, we expect every automaker who operates in this country to start promoting which vehicles they sell that meet the program's eligibility requirements. Ford Motor Company has got 20 vehicles spread across its Ford and Mercury brands, and less than 24 hours after President Obama signed CARS into law, the automaker has launched a new web page to help you determine if your clunker is eligible.

The website is called Let Ford Recycle Your Ride and features an eligibility calculator that will help you easily determine if your particular vehicle is both less than 25 years old and gets 18 mpg combined or less. Oh, then it will try and sell you a Ford product, but that's to be expected. Regardless of the sales pitch, the calculator is an easy tool to use if you're seriously thinking about trading in your clunker for a credit worth between $3,500 and $4,500 courtesy of Uncle Sam.

[Source: Let Ford Recycle Your Ride]

Ford launches Cash-for-Clunkers eligibility calculator originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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President Obama has taken pen to paper and signed off on Cash-for-Clunkers, a law that could help the auto industry shake its year-long funk. The Transportation Department now has 30 days to determine the rules and regulations for Cash-for-Clunkers, placing the start of the program at the end of July.

The law as it was signed will give the power to decide which vehicles will be eligible for the program to the dealers. The dealers will also be in charge of scrapping the older vehicles, which must be less than 25 years old to be eligible for federal funds. Clunker-eligible cars must be also owned for at least one year to qualify for the program. Those eligible for Cash-for-Clunkers will receive up to $4,500 towards the purchase of a new, more fuel efficient vehicle. To get the full $4,500, those new cars must be at least 10 mpg more fuel efficient than the older model they replace, and trucks must be 5 mpg more efficient. Among the details of the law still being worked out is a plan to ensure that dealers are, in fact, scrapping the vehicles and not reselling them.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd | Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty]

Obama signs Cash-for-Clunkers bill into law, countdown to start begins originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4500 rebate500Rebatebarack obamaBarackObamaCARScash for clunkerscash-for-clunkersCashForClunkersobamapresident obamaPresidentObamaThu, 25 Jun 2009 11:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Analysts: There's no guarantee that Cash-for-Clunkers will really drive car sales]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/22/analysts-theres-no-guarantee-that-cash-for-clunkers-will-reall/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/22/analysts-theres-no-guarantee-that-cash-for-clunkers-will-reall/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/22/analysts-theres-no-guarantee-that-cash-for-clunkers-will-reall/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Now that the so-called Cash-for-Clunkers bill is ready for President Obama's signature, attention is turning to how much of an impact the negotiated bill will actually have on U.S. car sales. There are a lot of positive stories about the bill floating around - headlines hopefully implore that the bill might "jumpstart U.S. auto sales" and claim "Has Uncle Sam got a deal for you." But will the law, with its fairly tight requirements, really stimulate sales? Some auto analysts don't think so.

Four analysts interviewed by Automotive News estimate that only 70,000 to 200,000 more vehicles will be sold because of the clunkers bill. According to the detractors, there are three main factors that will likely blunt the bill's impact:
  • It's just four months long - the law will only offer cash for your clunkers from July 1 until November 1.
  • While the bill requires the new vehicle to be more fuel efficient than the one you're trading in, the 18 mpg limit on the old ride (details here) doesn't encompass nearly enough vehicles.
  • The economics of the law don't make a lot of sense in the real world. If you're driving an eligible car, then chances are that you can't afford to purchase a new vehicle right now - even if you can get a $4,500 federal credit on the price. More often than not, it makes greater sense to just buy a used car.
[Source: Automotive News (subs req'd) | Image: KB35 under CC 2.0]
Photo by KB35. Licensed under Creative Commons license 2.0.

Analysts: There's no guarantee that Cash-for-Clunkers will really drive car sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto salesAutoSalescar buyingcar salesCarBuyingCarSalescash for clunkerscash-for-clunkersCashForClunkersclunkersmpgnew carNewCarObamaMon, 22 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[BREAKING: House, Senate reach terms on 'Cash for Clunkers' program - but only with $1B in funding]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/breaking-house-senate-reach-terms-on-cash-for-clunkers-progr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/breaking-house-senate-reach-terms-on-cash-for-clunkers-progr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/12/breaking-house-senate-reach-terms-on-cash-for-clunkers-progr/#commentsFiled under: , ,



According to The Detroit News, the House and Senate came to terms late last night on a $1 billion 'cash for clunkers' initiative. Part of a larger $106 billion wartime spending bill, the program is not yet law, as the finalized bill must be passed by Congress (it is expected to be voted on next week) and signed into law by President Obama.

Under the terms of the compromise, vouchers worth up to $4,500 would be distributed to those who turn in old vehicles. The program's $1B backing figures to be well short of the $4B it is estimated to cost, meaning that the funding is expected to run out after September 30, the end of the fiscal year. As the theory goes, getting the program approved was the first big step - the DetNews says that key supporters believe that additional funding could be agreed upon subsequently.

As you may recall, the House approved the measure earlier this week, but there were reports of some significant troubles in the Senate where funding and mileage requirements were concerned. In the end, the same mileage figures were reportedly agreed upon, meaning vehicles that return 18 mpg or less in combined city/highway are eligible to turn in their vehicle for a cash voucher. If the new car replacement achieves at least 4 mpg better, a $3,500 voucher would be awarded, and if the new car achieved at least 10 mpg more, the credit would be $4,500. Trucks figure to be a bit different, however, with replacement vehicles needing to net at least 18 mpg, with figures at least 2 mpg better than the soon-to-be-scrapped turn-in. In order to receive the full $4,500 voucher, however, truck buyers' new vehicle would have to improve their fuel economy figures by at least 5 mpg.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Theo Heimann/Getty]]

BREAKING: House, Senate reach terms on 'Cash for Clunkers' program - but only with $1B in funding originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbreakingnewscash for clunkerscash-for-clunkersCashForClunkershousescrappagesenateFri, 12 Jun 2009 10:26:00 EST<![CDATA[The coolest coffee tables made from reclaimed automotive sheetmetal you'll see today]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/the-coolest-coffee-tables-made-from-reclaimed-automotive-sheetme/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/the-coolest-coffee-tables-made-from-reclaimed-automotive-sheetme/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/the-coolest-coffee-tables-made-from-reclaimed-automotive-sheetme/#commentsFiled under: ,


Nine Stories Furniture auto sheet metal tables - Click above for an image gallery

This whole cash-for-clunkers global movement is sure to result in a lot more dead iron in salvage yards, but that may not be such a horrible thing if that trend gives birth to more neat stuff like this. The folks over at Nine Stories Furniture Co. have taken to building furnishings built from reclaimed metalwork, including the Elsie tables seen here built from at least 70% reclaimed automotive sheet metal (apparently roof panels are the easiest to make use of).

According to its website, Nine Stories developed the concept back in 1994 when they came up with the idea for a liquor cabinet based on the same materials, but they've only recently returned to the technique for this series. Starting at over $1,800, the small art-quality tables from this Brooklyn Navy Yard collective are hardly cheap, but if nothing else, they may give shadetree mechanics some inspiration.


Gallery: Nine Stories Furniture tables


[Source: Nine Stories Furniture]

The coolest coffee tables made from reclaimed automotive sheetmetal you'll see today originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 May 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brooklyn navy yardBrooklynNavyYardcash for clunkerscash-for-clunkersCashForClunkerscoffee tableCoffeeTableNine StoriesNineStoriesreclaimedreuseTue, 19 May 2009 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: U.K. officially launches £2K scrappage scheme]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/22/report-u-k-officially-launches-2k-scrappage-scheme/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/22/report-u-k-officially-launches-2k-scrappage-scheme/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/22/report-u-k-officially-launches-2k-scrappage-scheme/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



As expected, U.K. Finance Minister Alistair Darling has officially announced a new vehicle scrappage program that will pay motorists £2,000 ($2,900 USD) for trading in a vehicle that's at least 10 years old for a new car. Half of the funds will be provided by the government, and the other half will be paid out by automakers.

There will be no regulations governing the required fuel efficiency or type of vehicle that will qualify for the subsidy, leading some to question the environmental benefits of the scheme. There are also questions as to where the £300 million ($435M USD) required to fund the program through March of 2010 will come from, as Darling has also announced that the U.K. budget will hit its largest deficit ever.

In addition to approving the car scrappage scheme, the government also officially approved an increase in the national fuel duty by 2p per liter.

[Source: Reuters | Image: Matt Cardy/Getty]

REPORT: U.K. officially launches £2K scrappage scheme originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alistair darlingAlistairDarlingautobloggreencash for clunkerscash-for-clunkersCashForClunkersscrappageUK finance ministerUkFinanceMinisterWed, 22 Apr 2009 15:30:00 EST