Cash For Clunkers Future
By now everyone has heard of the Cash For Clunkers program by the US Government. It's the program where the government (see tax payers dollars) gives large incentives to consumers looking to buy a new fuel efficient vehicle. It breaks down by allowing a higher dollar amount, up to a max of $4,500, for buying a vehicle that gets over 10 more mpg than the vehicle you are trading in.
It's a program that has proved very successful on paper, so much so they have even extended the program by an additional $2 billion. However, such a program can't last forever, which got me asking a few questions.
First question, will future buyers be waiting around for government assistance before they buy their next vehicle? That is to say, once this incentive ends will the sales dry up until the next government intervention or will dealerships be capable of staying afloat on their own? I'm on the mind that sales will again tank, more dealerships will close, and consumers will hold on to their money again until the next incentive.
Similar consumer buying habits changed back in the mid 90's when 0% financing was first introduced. It created a flux of buyers looking to capitalize. However, once dealerships tried to end the special promotion the sales ended as well. Just to keep the status quo, dealerships have had to continue that special promotion to some extent to maintain sales. Are we going down this road again?
Tags: Cash For Clunkers, Industry, sales
August 12th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
i think that we could very well be headed into a disaster if the people of this country depend on the government for anything. i think with Motorcity(washington DC now) going the way it is we are going to see a lot of changes that arent necessarily for the people best interest. and where is that $2 billion coming from anyway.
August 19th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I’m with you Jason, the citizens of the US need to be more dependent. Quit looking for a handout and start fixing things at home or direct changes within their community.
We can bitch and moan across the isle all day about the stuff that goes on in corporate America and in Congress. Let’s start focusing on me and you.
Thanks for the comment.
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:23 am
[...] any luck. People are holding onto their used cars longer or got rid of them 2 months ago in the cash for clunkers [...]