Cash for Clunkers has been a shot in the arm for car dealers, including John Bowman Chevrolet in Independence Township.
‘It’s been an extremely good program for car sales,? said Al Hall, sales manager. ‘It’s created a lot of showroom traffic.?
The law, officially called Car Allowance Rebate System, or CARS, was signed into law June 25, and offered to the public July 24.
By the end of the week, Bowman sold 17 vehicles through the program, about 50 percent more than usual at this time, Hall said.
Mark Whiteman of Independence Township traded in his 1995 van for a 2009 Malibu. The van was an ideal candidate for the clunker program, he said.
“It’s leaking. I barely made it, but I got it here,” he said. “I think this was what the program was for ? the government can help.”
“My daughter said I’d never get a deal like this again,” said Valerie Jendral, who traded in her 17-year-old sedan for a new Chevy.
The program’s rules and regulations have meant a hectic schedule ? dealers were at work at 3 a.m. this past Saturday, submitting rebate information to the government ? but it’s worth it, Hall said.
“I think it’s a good program,” he said. “I’ve noticed the cars traded in have very high mileage ? one has 354,000 miles on it.”
Replacement vehicles also get much better gas mileage, he said.
“We’ve sold a lot of fuel efficient vehicles,” he said. “Many people have been waiting for this for a long time.”
The program is reportedly running low on cash alotted to it, $1 billion, but Congress is working on adding $2 billion more. Dealers reported depleted inventory, but Bowman still has plenty to sell, Hall said.
“We’re in good shape,” he said.