MENU
SEARCHThe Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) ended Aug. 25 with nearly 700,000 in car sales and rebate applications worth $2.8 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
WASHINGTON — The Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) ended Aug. 25 with nearly 700,000 in car sales and rebate applications worth $2.8 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The total amount from rebate applications is less than the $3 billion provided by Congress to run the program. Meanwhile, cars made in America topped the most-purchased list, from the Ford Focus to the Toyota Corolla to the Honda Civic.
“American consumers and workers were the clear winners thanks to the cash for clunkers program,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Manufacturing plants have added shifts and recalled workers. Moribund showrooms were brought back to life and consumers bought fuel efficient cars that will save them money and improve the environment.”
“This is one of the best economic news stories we’ve seen and I’m proud we were able to give consumers a helping hand,” he added.
According to a preliminary analysis by the White House Council of Economic Advisers, the CARS program will:
Boost economic growth in the third quarter of 2009 by 0.3 - 0.4 percentage points at an annual rate thanks to increased auto sales in July and August.
Will sustain the increase in GDP in the fourth quarter because of increased auto production to replace depleted inventories.
Will create or save 42,000 jobs in the second half of 2009. Those jobs are expected to remain well after the program’s close.
Ford and General Motors recently announced production increases for both the third and fourth quarters as a result of the demand generated by the program. Honda also said it will be increasing production at its U.S. plants in East Liberty and Marysville, Ohio and in Lincoln, Ala.
In addition, the program provides good news for the environment. That’s because 84 percent of consumers traded in trucks and 59 percent purchased passenger cars. The average fuel economy of the vehicles traded in was 15.8 miles per gallon and the average fuel economy of vehicles purchased is 24.9 mpg. – a 58 percent improvement.
With the end of transactions under the program, the Department of Transportation is augmenting a team that already includes more than 2,000 people processing dealer applications for rebates.
Dealer Transactions
Number Submitted: 690,114
Dollar Value: $2.8 billion
Top 10 New Vehicles Purchased
1. Toyota Corolla
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Camry
4. Ford Focus FWD
5. Hyundai Elantra
6. Nissan Versa
7. Toyota Prius
8. Honda Accord
9. Honda Fit
10. Ford Escape FWD
Top 10 New Vehicles Manufacturers
1. Toyota 19.4%
2. General Motors 17.6%
3. Ford 14.4%
4. Honda 13.0%
5. Nissan 8.7%
6. Hyundai 7.2%
7. Chrysler 6.6%
8. Kia 4.3%
9. Subaru 2.5%
10. Mazda 2.4%
Top 10 Trade-in Vehicles
1. Ford Explorer 4WD
2. Ford F150 Pickup 2WD
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD
4. Ford Explorer 2WD
5. Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD
6. Jeep Cherokee 4WD
7. Chevrolet Blazer 4WD
8. Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD
9. Ford F150 Pickup 4WD
10. Ford Windstar FWD Van
84% of trade-ins under the program are trucks, and 59% of new vehicles purchased are cars.
Top 10 States by Requested Voucher Dollar Amount
California | $326,822,000 |
Texas | $183,776,500 |
New York | $156,292,000 |
Florida | $146,565,000 |
Illinois | $143,613,000 |
Pennsylvania | $138,651,500 |
Ohio | $136,267,000 |
Michigan | $132,407,500 |
New Jersey | $103,375,500 |
Virginia | $98,523,500 |
For dealer-owned reinsurance entities, avoiding volatility entirely can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long term surplus growth. Missing just a handful of strong market days can materially impact cumulative returns—an important reminder for long horizon trust and investment strategies.
Read More →
In this video, Ryan Ruff explains the rule that elite sales professionals use to turn ordinary conversations into unforgettable customer experiences.
Read More →
What’s the atmosphere saying about you to your customers? You can make minor adjustments and additions that transform your space into one that creates trust with the people on the other side of the desk.
Read More →
How can auto dealerships help F&I managers fulfill their vital role in the most effective ways? Industry expert Rick McCormick shares his insights on the best ways to train these professionals and help them maintain good habits.
Read More →
More consumers and businesses are opting for all-season options for various reasons as safety, sustainability and convenience push practical change.
Read More →
It’s time to take the next digital step to free F&I managers to handle the most challenging aspects of customer meetings.
Read More →
Some of it should be given to the customer, but that doesn’t mean the F&I office relinquishes the process. In fact, a different approach both builds trust and boosts sales.
Read More →
Talk to F&I customers like you’d talk to a friend, without industry lingo or sales-like questions, and use hard proof to show, not tell, them about a need.
Read More →
Helping F&I customers understand complementary offerings is likely to lead to more sales, based on the success of a high-performing practitioner of the philosophy.
Read More →