CarMax wants used vehicles included in ‘Cash for Clunkers’
2008, Eva Russo/Times-Dispatch
A CarMax inventory assistant goes through a final quality check on a vehicle about to be put out on the lot on West Broad Street in Henrico County.
Automotive retailer CarMax Inc. wants Congress to include used vehicles in legislation that gives tax credits or vouchers to people trading in their older cars for ones with better gas mileage.
The so-called "Cash for Clunkers" legislation is designed to bolster auto sales and put smaller, more fuel-efficient cars on the road.
Congress is considering six bills. One of the bills includes used vehicles.
CarMax argues that in order to meet the goal of the bills to have more fuel-efficient cars on the road, Congress needs to extend the vouchers or credits to buyers of used vehicles.
The Goochland County-based chain said some car buyers can't afford new cars, which, in turn, would keep their older and less fuel-efficient cars on the road longer.
It says there are plenty of fuel efficient cars and trucks available at used car dealers nationwide -- including used car departments at new car dealerships.
CarMax said it currently stocks more than 12,500 vehicles getting more than 24-miles per gallon.
Reader Reactions
If properly designed and implemented, such an incentive could potentially improve highway safety and reduce gasoline consumption by helping those with more limited financial resources obtain safer and more efficient cars.
anon.. if you allowed late model (or fuel efficient vehicles of “any” age) also eligable for people to get a credit.. it wouldn’t necessarily hurt the late model values would it? No-one is buying “anything” right now.. this would at least be an incentive for people to crack open their wallets and get a more fuel efficient car wouldn’t it? I personally drive a well paid for used car that gets about 24-25 mpg.. so I don’t have any incentive to buy anything.. and won’t.
Let the lobbying begin! In theory this sounnds like a good idea, in Germany it made late model used cars practically worthless.
I have to disagree with this program, although on the surface it appears to make sense, deep down it creates a bigger problem, Raising the price of reliable first cars for first time owners. Where as if you offer a voucher for say $4000 towards the purchase of a new car for trading in your old car the price tag of every vehicle out there is instantly wort $4000 (or whatever voucher amount it qualifies for) effectively putting the purchase of a car by a newly licensed driver or a recent graduate out of the question. I think that its not only an important part of our economy to have $1000 - $1500 cars available to those just starting out or going through hard times. This would effectively but everyone except the ones that really need cheap reliable transportation on “Auto Welfare”. I don’t believe in the “Old Cars” are a hazard to mentality either I have a 65 Rambler and several 60’s Dodge Pickups that “Sans Air-Bag” are just as safe and mechanically sound as many of the newer vehicles on the road today…
This makes sense.. on more than one level. First, you would have the people driving more fuel efficient vehicles. Second, it is actually more environmentally friendly to drive an existing vehicle than the impact of building a new vehicle would have. There are people that can’t afford the brand new car.. and these are people who would probably most benefit from these tax vouchers!
Post a Comment(Requires free registration)
- Please avoid offensive, vulgar, or hateful language.
- Respect others.
- Use the "Flag Comment" link when necessary.
- See the Terms and Conditions for details.
Advertisement