Summary Box: Industrial production grows more than expected, inflation remains in checkSeptember 16th, 2009 Summary Box: Industrial production rose last monthMORE GROWTH, NO INFLATION: Government data show the nation's factories, mines and utilities boosted production for the second straight month in August, the latest sign of an economic recovery. At the same time, inflation remains in check.
Summary Box: Retail sales jump in August, but increase may be temporarySeptember 15th, 2009 Summary Box: Retail sales jump in AugustSPENDING REBOUNDS: The Commerce Department said retail sales rose 2.7 percent in August, the most in more than three years. A spike in auto sales, spurred by the Cash for Clunkers program, and higher gas prices drove the increase.
Summary Box: Incomes flat in July but spending rises modestly with help of Cash for ClunkersAugust 28th, 2009 Summary Box: Incomes flat but spending up modestlySTAGNANT INCOMES: Household income failed to grow last month as consumer spending edged up 0.2 percent, aided by the now-ended Cash for Clunkers program. SPENDING CONCERNS: Personal incomes have fallen or remained unchanged in eight of the past 10 months.
Final data on Cash for Clunkers sales, trade-insAugust 26th, 2009 Final Cash for Clunkers dataAuto dealers reported 690,114 sales under the federal government's $3 billion Cash for Clunkers rebate program, according to final data released Wednesday by the Department of Transportation. The total value of the rebates claimed by dealers totalled $2.88 billion.
Mazda to issue $20 million in payments to dealers waiting for Cash for Clunkers reimbursementsAugust 24th, 2009 Mazda to advance dealers clunkers paymentsIRVINE, Calif. — Mazda North American Operations said Friday that it will issue $20 million in advance payments to its dealers to help tide them over until they receive reimbursements through the government's Cash for Clunkers program.
With just a weekend left, dealers say Cash for Clunkers sales may be hard to makeAugust 22nd, 2009 Dealers wary of Cash for Clunkers final pushWASHINGTON — Auto dealers are bracing for a possible rush of last-minute shoppers before the Cash for Clunkers program ends Monday, but some buyers may find they won't be able to cash in on big government rebates. Dealers are increasing staff for the last weekend of the $3 billion program.
Toyota Corolla remains atop Cash for Clunkers top sellers listAugust 21st, 2009 Toyota Corolla still Cash for Clunkers top sellerWASHINGTON — The Toyota Corolla remained the top-selling vehicle under the Cash for Clunkers program, according to data released Friday by the government. Asian automakers also continued to increase their share of sales under the government incentive program that offers car buyers rebates on new vehicle purchases of $3,500 or $4,500 in return for turning in older, less fuel efficient vehicles.
White House says it understands frustration auto dealers feel about Cash for Clunkers programAugust 20th, 2009 WH understands frustration with Cash for ClunkersWASHINGTON — The White House says it understands some of the frustration automobile dealers are feeling about the government's Cash for Clunkers vehicle trade-in program. The program gives consumers up to $4,500 to trade in older vehicles for newer, more fuel-efficient ones.
Government Cash for Clunkers program uses up $1.81 billion out of $3 billion potAugust 19th, 2009 Cash for Clunkers up to $1.81 billionWASHINGTON — Auto dealers have made Cash for Clunkers deals worth $1.81 billion, according to data released Wednesday by the federal government. The program offers car buyers rebates of $3,500 or $4,500 for trading in older vehicles for new, more-fuel-efficient models.
Ford to build more Focuses and Escapes in 3Q to meet heavy demand from Cash for ClunkersAugust 13th, 2009 Ford to increase production 21 pct in 3QDEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co.
Summary Box: Clunker cash delivers a boost, but it's no long-term economic solutionAugust 5th, 2009 Summary Box: Clunker cash is no long-term solutionWHAT'S HAPPENING: The "cash-for-clunkers" program provides rebates of up to $4,500 to drivers who trade in a gas-guzzler for a more fuel-efficient vehicle. That's boosting car sales and generating much-needed sales taxes.
Ford posts its first sales increase since 2007 on strong "cash-for-clunkers" trafficAugust 3rd, 2009 Cash for Clunkers boost Ford's July sales 1.6 pctDETROIT — Ford Motor Co. says July sales rose nearly 1.6 percent over the same month last year as the government's wildly successful "cash-for-clunkers" program gave the automaker a significant boost.
White House spokesman: cash-for-clunkers program may not survive if Senate doesn't vote by FriAugust 3rd, 2009 White House: Senate must save clunkers programWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's chief spokesman says the popular cash for clunkers rebate program may not survive beyond Friday if the Senate doesn't provide a $2 billion cash infusion. The program ran out of money last week.
AP sources: Government to suspend 'cash for clunkers' program out of funding concernsJuly 31st, 2009 AP sources: Govt to suspend 'cash for clunkers'WASHINGTON — Congressional officials say the government plans to suspend the popular "cash for clunkers" program amid concerns it could quickly use up the $1 billion in rebates for new car purchases. The Transportation Department called congressional offices late Thursday to alert them to the decision to halt the program, which offered owners of old cars and trucks $3,500 or $4,500 toward a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle.
Fuel-economy review alters eligibility of 164 trade-in vehicles in 'cash for clunkers' programJuly 29th, 2009 EPA alters eligibility of 164 'Clunkers' trade-insNEW YORK — A review of fuel-economy data has changed the eligibility of 164 trade-in vehicles in the government's "cash for clunkers" program. The Environmental Protection Agency says 78 vehicles that used to qualify as trade-ins under the program no longer qualify.