“Cash for Clunkers” Coming to a Close?

3:44 PM PDT on August 19, 2009

The Obama administration plans to close the door on the politically popular and environmentally slipshod auto trade-in program known as "cash for clunkers," according to a report this afternoon in the Wall Street Journal:

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Wednesday he would disclosewithin two days updated figures on the program, including how much ofthe $3 billion in funding was left. He said he would also offer ablueprint for how the administration will wind down the program toensure all vouchers issued by dealers are reimbursed by the governmentbefore the money runs out.
"They're going to get their money," Mr. LaHood said, responding todealers' complaints of payment delays. "There will be no car dealerthat won't be reimbursed."

Auto
dealers have submitted claims to about $1.8 billion of the program's
taxpayer-funded rebates, which represents 435,102 vehicle purchases,
according to data released today by the U.S. DOT.

Elana Schor @

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