I hope to present a few facts for you.

First of all the rebate dollars from this (comparatively small) $1 billion dollar plan are actually going to the people of America. Unlike the previous $103 Billion (bailout) dollars (from US and Canada)which has already been distributed between Chrysler, General Motors, and their suppliers.
(Note: Ford Motor Co. did not accept nor request any bailout money to date)
These rebates are going to fine upstanding citizens of the United States of America in order to help them purchase a new vehicle OF THEIR CHOICE which will get each individual a vehicle that gets better fuel economy than the guzzlers that they were previously driving.

Those “clunkers” that they were driving were INCREASING our countrys dependency on petroleum based fuel. The newer more fuel efficient vehicles help to DECREASE dependency. The older “clunkers”, that I have seen traded, …most are in very poor condition, and also in need of costly repairs. The new vehicles are under comprehensive Manufacturer warranties and will not require any costly repairs.

Another misconception, that I’ve heard lately is, that people are going into debt that they can’t afford. Well with lenders being extremely cautious about giving loans …people that cant afford the payments are NOT getting loan approvals.
In one example, one of my own customers, an active military man, stated to me that he will be saving about $200 a month in fuel costs, & his monthly payment on his new Ford Focus is LESS than $200 a month…. (by the way , he put zero money out of his pocket as down payment)

More details were released today that prove Americans are purchasing mostly American vehicles AND this is putting Americans back to work as well!
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(Quote from the associated press)
“Among manufacturers, General Motors Co. had the largest share, accounting for 18.7 percent of new sales, followed by Toyota Motor Corp. with 17.9 percent. Ford Motor Co. was third with 16 percent of the sales. Detroit automakers represented 45.3 percent of the total sales while Japan’s Toyota, Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. accounted for 36.5 percent.

The Toyota Corolla is the top-selling vehicle on the list, followed by the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Toyota Prius and the Toyota Camry. There is one SUV on the list, the Ford Escape, which also comes in a hybrid model that can get up to 32 miles per gallon. Six of the top-10 selling vehicles are built by foreign manufacturers, but most are built in North America.

If the Senate approves the additional money, it’s likely to lead automakers to increase production and bring back laid-off workers. Many automakers reported low inventories due to increased sales from the program at the end of July. Already Hyundai Motor Co. has added a day of production to its Montgomery, Ala., plant, and Ford is considering increases.

Ford’s chief financial officer, Lewis Booth, said Wednesday night the company would decide this month and make an announcement in early September.”
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The environmental effects of more fuel efficient vehicles on the road is obvious, so I won’t go into the details on that subject.

I am not the least bit happy with how poorly planned the implementation of the bill has been. The funding allowed for $50 million to set up the administrative end of the system… but quite honestly, the dealers are handling the brunt of the administrative duties and it takes thrice as long to complete all the paperwork .. but dealership personnel are not getting any of the “administrative funds” And the $50Million dollars bought us a website that is slow, often crashes,.. and thus far hasn’t reimbursed my dealership a single dime of the $120,000 that we have given out to the American Citizens that qualified and are now enjoying their new vehicles.

The plan is not only an environmental plan , but also a great stimulus to Americas economy.
Putting the Auto industry back to work also puts many secondary suppliers back to work as well. The tire companies get more orders, the screw machine shops have to supply the nuts and bolts, the textile companies (as well as the raw materials needed to produce fabrics) have to supply more fabric to the seat manufacturers and the electronic companies will have to supply more radios, and the metal and glass companies… and so on and so on and so on…
And lest we forget that if auto industry workers go back to work and/or prosper… then those workers may be able to afford to purchase products and/or services that YOU might be in the business of providing.
It’s a trickle down affect.

* Your vehicle must be less than 25 years old on the trade-in date
* Only purchase or lease of new vehicles qualify
* Generally, trade-in vehicles must get 18 or less MPG (some very large pick-up trucks and cargo vans have different requirements)
* Trade-in vehicles must be registered and insured continuously for the full year preceding the trade-in
* You don’t need a voucher, dealers will apply a credit at purchase
* Program runs through Nov 1, 2009 or when the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
* The program requires the scrapping of your eligible trade-in vehicle and that the dealer disclose to you an estimate of the scrap value of your trade-in. The scrap value, however minimal, will be in addition to the rebate, and not in place of the rebate.

Check this site frequently for the most recent updates from the government.

I love that this program leaves out classics, which was a big concern in the circles I run in.

As for the new SUV’s vs a 20 year old one. When you get only 10 mpg with that cast iron blocked 454. 12.5 mpg of the new big, bad 8 liter V8 is a 25% increase is fuel ecenomy.

It seems that too many peole are listening to ignorant questions and concerns instead of actually looking at the facts.