CAR DEALERS LIKE "CARS"
Saturday, July 25th, 2009 -- 9:40 AM
Area car dealers have been pleasantly surprised that a government program seems to be working well.The CARS program, more commonly referred to as "Cash for Clunkers," offers new car buyers rebates of up to $4,500 if they turn in their old gas-guzzlers. The vehicles are then taken off the road and salvaged.
Kevin Schmitz with Gross Motors in Neillsville say the respone has been impressive.
"We've probably got since the first of the month when it got announced that it's coming, we've got several vehicles waiting to be delivered on Monday. It is also doing as it's, creating a shortage of some vehicles in certain areas, which is kind of nice to see, but yet, you know, the plant will start working harder again, reopening the plants up."
Schmitz says he wasn't sure the program, which began Friday, was going to make much of an impact, but it really has.
"We can start delivering these vehicles as of Monday. But it's going to take a lot of these vehicles that are not getting very good fuel mileage, these older trucks, for the most part, older vans, some cars, off the road."
Bill Arndt of V&H in Marshfield says the "clunkers" have to meet certain requirements, for instance, they must get less than 18 miles per gallon. Arndt say the program won't be right for everyone.
"Correct. If your driving a newer vehicle or an economy vehicle, even if its older, and it got great fuel mileage you'll probably not going to benefit from this program. When asked if this would probably help business, Arndt agreed, and said, " It's will definitely help. Our phones have really been ringing of the hook. I need about twice as many salespeople and four times as much inventory."
The program is scheduled to last at least through the summer.
For more information, you can visit the government's website: www.cars.gov
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.