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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/European_Union_Flag.jpg Has not worked as well in France, Italy, Spain but Germany's government pays more for clunkers. (time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1884711,00.html?cnn=yes)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Huron_Valley_Car_Recycler.jpgAdam Smith - Time (time.com) - Mar. 12, 2009

It's also been tried in the US: Some parts of Texas will help pay for clean cars while the dirty ones are scrapped. (cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5878) -- Ed.

Amid the gruesome headlines generated by the world's auto industry (time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1864168,00.html) these days, it almost read like a typo: new car registrations in Germany (time.com/time/topics/germany/0,30939,,00.html) rose 21% year-on-year in February, the country's Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) announced March 3. This, though, was no error. The 278,000 cars put on the road, crowed Matthias Wissmann, VDA's president, amounted to "the highest level of sales in the month of February for ten years."

Why the splurge? German drivers have latched onto a juicy new deal. Under a scheme started in January, car owners who trade in a vehicle more than nine years old for a new, greener model can expect $3,172 from the German government as well as a break from paying road tax for at least a year. Similar "scrapping schemes" have been launched in recent months in France, Italy and Spain. Now motor manufacturers in Britain are pleading with its government to follow suit. (See pictures of the auto industry. (www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1864272,00.html))

It's not hard to fathom why. Carmakers are grappling with an extraordinary shortage of both credit and customers. Sales in Europe — the $700 billion auto industry there accounts directly or indirectly for one in ten jobs — dropped to a 15-year low last year, with little sign of a pickup in 2009. Toyota (time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1860403,00.html) announced earlier this week that 4,500 staff at its British factories would see their pay and hours slashed by 10% for a year starting in April. German and British governments are still in talks with GM (time.com/time/topics/general-motors/0,30939,,00.html) over potential aid for the U.S. automaker's beleaguered European subsidiaries, Opel in Germany and Vauxhall in the U.K. GM says it needs some $4.2 billion to save its businesses in the region. (See pictures of workers at GM (time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1867838,00.html)) ... http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1884711,00.html?cnn=yes

I would be on that wagon faster than you could say SUV.

Thats more than double the value of my car so I would have no problem doing that.

No way, Get $3,200 from the govt then spend at least $7-10K of my own money. Only if I was planning on buying a new car anyway would this make any sense.

Plus I don't think the govt needs to spend anymore money. The last few months they have been on a spending spree.

Well Ryan you just bought one of the greenest cars avail :p. I would not see myself going to buy another car if I were you.

Check with me once all the manufactuers have their FE monsters on the lots, HCHIII, Aptera, Ford, Toyota, hopefully the Volt.

Ford/Mercury and Toyota are a bit early to the party, so I'm curious how the General and Honda respond, and don't forget that Hyundai is stealthing into the party too.

Only if I was planning on buying a new car anyway would this make any sense.


x2

I believe this would be aimed at those who are actually already looking to buy cars but can't due to the trade-off affordability.

That's why we are in a slump right now. People would normally be buying but wont take the risk.

Hmm... That still wouldn't do it for me. I know my vehicles aren't the best FE out there, but 3200 plus the ~3000 trade in for the Ranger isn't enough for me to afford a new vehicle (if I could get the financing).

yeah, that 3200 isn't in addition to trade in, that is instead of trade-in. My brother-in-law took advantage of this here in TX. He unloaded his 87 Blazer which had no reverse, and no 2nd gear. It had a bad starter, no shocks left, etc. They gave him 3000 for it (they crushed it 2days later). He used it toward a new VW golf. He paid the difference, (10grand).

He went from an 87 hooptie to a sweet ride.

it is the $3200 PLUS no road tax.
Imagine this translated into NO Tax on Fuel ( as we are fuel pased road tax)

If you drive alot of miles in a FSP - and you buy a QUALIFYING new car - the savings are 3 fold.

- Spend less $$ on GAS ( as you are using less)
- Spend NO $$ on TAX on the gas you DO use.
- Get $3200 from Government.

this could REALLY ADD UP.

Steve

Ha... Gov't said I might get 3k when I bought my Hybrid, but the devil was in the details. Failed to qualify for the Hybrid credit on either the Prius or the Mariner. AMT ate my lunch.

Even if the Gov't Double Dog Swore I'd get the money, I wouldn't believe 'em.

11011011

Probably would buy one. I am lucky that the current economy is not hurting me, and really I have no worries money (sorry, not bragging. Just stating my personal economy). Anyway, the wife and I were talking about buying a new car even though we both have nice newer cars. I would buy another Mercury Mariner Hybrid in a heart beat. I love my car.