Recent Streetsblog SF posts about Cash for Clunkers

“Cash for Clunkers” Coming to a Close?

By Elana Schor | Aug 19, 2009 | No Comments

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 disclose within two days updated figures on the program, including how much of […]

Could Electric-Car Tax Credits Become the Next “Cash for Clunkers”?

By Elana Schor | Aug 14, 2009 | 1 Comment

The White House’s commitment to electrified cars, fulfilling an Obama campaign promise to put 1 million plug-in hybrids into service by 2015, is bound to have serious ramifications for the nation’s already-crumbling system of paying for transportation. (Photo: MPR) But could the administration continue to leave the gas tax untouched while relying on taxpayer-subsidized rebates […]

AP: Obama Administration Won’t Release Full Data on ‘Cash for Clunkers’

By Elana Schor | Aug 4, 2009 | 1 Comment

A $2 billion renewal of "cash for clunkers" is now almost assured, with GOP senators easing up on their threat of a filibuster and one key Democrat remarking that "the statistics [for the program] are much better than everyone thought." But if the "clunkers" data is so successful, why won’t the U.S. DOT release it […]

Separating Fact from Fiction on “Cash for Clunkers”

By Elana Schor | Aug 3, 2009 | 1 Comment

As debate rages on in the capital over whether to keep assisting the auto industry by giving out more "cash for clunkers" rebates, two assertions are becoming commonplace: the program is helping diminish U.S. oil consumption, and the program is not paid for with new money. (Photo: AP) The first argument was reiterated on Friday […]

Bailout Recipient Citigroup Gets Contract to Run ‘Cash for Clunkers’

By Elana Schor | Aug 3, 2009 | No Comments

As the Senate gears up for debate this week on approving $2 billion more in "cash for clunkers" new-car rebates, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has vowed to work with the program’s main private contractor — Citigroup — to iron out any kinks in the system that auto dealers use to apply for taxpayer-subsidized reimbursements. Transportation […]

From the Dept. of Mixed Messages: LaHood Touts ‘Cash for Clunkers’

By Elana Schor | Jul 27, 2009 | 1 Comment

Two weeks ago, Ray LaHood candidly addressed the need to reduce the nation’s vehicle miles traveled in order to halt the devastating effects of climate change. But the Transportation Secretary had a decidedly different message today. (Photo: NYT) "Go out and buy a car, Americans!" LaHood decreed this morning as he and lawmakers from auto-producing […]