White House says it understands frustration auto dealers feel about Cash for Clunkers program

September 10th, 2009 LaHood: Gov't paid dealers $1.2B for 'Clunkers'WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says the government has approved $1.22 billion in reimbursements to car dealers for sales under the Cash for Clunkers program. LaHood said Thursday the government is on track to pay eligible dealers by a Sept.

September 3rd, 2009 US approves $500M to dealers for 'Clunkers'WASHINGTON — The government has approved $500 million in reimbursements to car dealers for sales under the Cash for Clunkers program and dealers should be paid by late September, officials said Thursday. Auto dealers have complained that the Obama administration has been slow to pay them for the car purchase incentives of up to $4,500.

August 27th, 2009 Edmunds: Aug. was year's best month for auto salesSANTA MONICA, Calif.

August 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.

August 23rd, 2009 Summary Box: Cash for Clunkers' final weekendTHE RUSH: Customers streamed into dealerships to take advantage of the Cash for Clunkers program before Monday's 8 p.m. EDT deadline.

August 21st, 2009 A look at the Cash for Clunkers programThe Department of Transportation said Thursday it intends to end the Cash for Clunkers program on Monday at 8 p.m. EDT. Here's a look at the $3 billion car incentive program.

August 20th, 2009 AP Source: Cash for Clunkers to end on MondayWASHINGTON — The Obama administration plans to end the popular $3 billion Cash for Clunkers program on Monday, giving car shoppers a few more days to take advantage of big government incentives. The Transportation Department said Thursday the government will wind down the program on Monday at 8 p.m.

August 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.

August 19th, 2009 NY dealers pull out of clunkers programNEW YORK — Hundreds of auto dealers in the New York area have withdrawn from the government's Cash for Clunkers program, citing delays in getting reimbursed by the government, a dealership group said Wednesday. The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, which represents dealerships in the New York metro area, said about half its 425 members have left the program because they cannot afford to offer more rebates.

August 7th, 2009 Dealers push new program to boost trade-in valuesNEW YORK — A group of car and truck dealers have banded together to offer their own sales incentives in hopes of getting drivers who don't qualify for the "cash-for-clunkers" program to buy vehicles. The privately funded Automotive Stimulus Plan, which currently involves about 40 dealers from across the country, is designed to help fill in the gaps left by the government's program, said Brian Benstock of Paragon Auto Group in New York City.

August 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.

July 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.

July 31st, 2009 Levin: 'Cash for Clunkers' good through FridayWASHINGTON — The Obama administration promised on Friday that the financially strapped "cash for clunkers" program will be good at least through the day. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., said he got the word from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood as members of the Ohio and Michigan congressional delegations huddled on Capitol Hill to discuss ways to keep the popular program going.

July 31st, 2009 Cash for clunkers program may be running on emptyWASHINGTON — The government's popular "cash for clunkers" program may be running out of money after only a matter of days as car shoppers flock to dealerships to take advantage of the rebates. The White House said Thursday it was assessing its options amid concerns the $1 billion budget for rebates for new car sales may have been depleted.

July 28th, 2009 Auto recyclers leery of cash for clunkersDENVER — Not all auto recyclers are relishing the government's new cash for clunkers program, which requires car dealers to destroy the gas-guzzlers they get as trade-ins from new car buyers. Used engines and drivetrains are a big part of recyclers' income from each scrapped car, and under the federal program those engines must be destroyed.