'Cash-for-Clunkers' Bill Passes in Bid to Revive Car Sales - washingtonpost.comHello undefined | Change Preferences | Sign Out Sign In | Register Now TODAY'S NEWSPAPER Subscribe | PostPoints NewsNation Investigations Photos & Video Discussions World Education Entertainment Corrections Metro Health Columns & Blogs Archives Advertising: Kaplan University online degree programs. Apply now! PoliticsPolitics Blogs House/Senate Votes White House Congress Political Browser In Depth Polls The Fed Page DC | MD | VA OpinionsOpinions Home Outlook Local Opinions Discussions Toles Cartoons On Faith Telnaes Animations PostGlobal BusinessBusiness and Policy Local Business Entrepreneurship Economy Watch Technology Columns & Blogs Global Economy Personal Finance On Leadership LocalMetro News District Weather Obituaries The Extras Education Maryland Traffic Local Explorer Local Business Columns & Blogs Virginia Crime Community Handbook Yellow Pages SportsRedskins Nationals Columns/Blogs NFL Wizards D.C. United Golf NBA Capitals High Schools MLB NHL Arts & LivingStyle Entertainment News Museums Columns & Blogs Comics Pets Food & Dining Fashion & Beauty KidsPost Crosswords Movies Travel Home & Garden Post Magazine Weddings Television Books Theater & Dance Horoscopes Sudoku Going Out GuideFind Restaurants Visitors Guide Find Movies Best Bets Find Bars & Clubs Go Out List Find Local Events Going Out Gurus JobsFind a JobPost a JobGet Expert AdviceEmployer LoginCarsBuy a Car Sell a Car Experts & Advice Dealer Directory Used Car Specials Coupons Real EstateBuy a Home Sell a Home Neighborhoods Recent Home Sales Tools and Calculators Local Address RentalsFind a Rental Rent Your Place ClassifiedsLegal Notices Shopping Pets Trustee Sales Deals & Discounts More Classifieds Death Notices Used Stuff Place an Ad SEARCH: washingtonpost.com Web | Search Archives washingtonpost.com > Business » This Story:Read +|Watch +| Comments Solutions to the Economic CrisisNew Ideas for a New EconomySpecial Report Latest News from Economy Watch 'Cash-for-Clunkers' Bill Passes in Bid To Revive Car Sales Trade-In Plan Set for Obama's Signature In a move that dealers hope will spark auto sales, the Senate yesterday approved a "cash-for-clunkers" program to compensate consumers for trading in their gas-guzzling cars for more fuel-efficient models. (By Dave Einsel -- Associated Press) Enlarge Photo TOOLBOX Resize Print E-mail Yahoo! Buzz COMMENT 71 Comments | View All » POST A COMMENT You must be logged in to leave a comment. Log in | Register Why Do I Have to Log In Again? Log In Again? CLOSEWe've made some updates to washingtonpost.com's Groups, MyPost and comment pages. We need you to verify your MyPost ID by logging in before you can post to the new pages. We apologize for the inconvenience. Discussion PolicyYour browser's settings may be preventing you from commenting on and viewing comments about this item. See instructions for fixing the problem. Discussion Policy CLOSEComments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post. Who's Blogging» Links to this article By Kendra Marr Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, June 19, 2009 The Senate approved a $1 billion program yesterday to give vouchers to consumers who trade in their gas-guzzling clunkers for more fuel-efficient models -- a move that dealers hope will revive slumping auto sales. This Story 'Cash-for-Clunkers' Bill Passes in Bid To Revive Car Sales Continuing Claims Fall For Jobless Benefits "Cash-for-Clunkers" Bill at a Glance Congressional leaders attached the legislation to a $106 billion spending bill to fund troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The spending bill passed by a 91 to 5 vote but not before some Republican lawmakers unsuccessfully sought to strip the measure from the bill. "Let's not add a billion dollars of unnecessary debt," said Sen. Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) during the Senate floor debate. Dealers, unions, trade groups and automakers have been lobbying for months for the legislation in hopes that it would stop the streak of dismal U.S. auto sales. "The simple fact is that we need to get Americans into car showrooms, and this is the bill that will do it," Rep. Candice S. Miller (R-Mich.), a co-sponsor of the legislation, said in a statement. The auto sales program, which offers vouchers of up to $4,5000, now moves to the White House for the president's signature. President Obama has repeatedly encouraged Congress to pass a so-called cash-for-clunkers bill. Consumers would be able to start using the vouchers as soon as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finalizes the rules -- a process that must conclude within 30 days of the president's approval. Under the program, trade-in vehicles, 1984 models or newer, must have average fuel economy of no more than 18 miles per gallon. And the new car or truck must get better gas mileage than the one that was scrapped. The payoff grows depending on the difference in the fuel efficiencies of the old and new cars. For instance, a new car getting at least 4 more miles per gallon than the old car will be eligible for a $3,500 voucher. A new car getting at least 10 more miles per gallon would get a $4,500 voucher. To guarantee vehicles are actually roadworthy -- and not just sitting on cinder blocks -- trade-ins must be registered and insured to the same owner for at least a year. Speaking on the Senate floor, Sen. Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.) said the program "will provide a much-needed boost to the automobile industry." The legislation's funding would last through the end of the fiscal year, Nov. 1. But some lawmakers are already pushing to expand the program. Several other countries, such as China and Italy, have offered similar trade-in vouchers. And lawmakers point to the success of Germany's program as indication that vouchers can turn dismal auto sales around. At the end of the program's first month, sales in Germany were up 21 percent from a year before. During the same period, U.S. sales slumped 41 percent. Dealers applauded the Senate's action yesterday, and some got additional good news. GM said it had decided to keep 60 of the more than 1,000 dealers with whom it had sought to terminate agreements. The reversals were made after the automaker corrected financial information that was used to evaluate which stores to keep. The company, which is operating under bankruptcy protection, declined to name the individual dealers. More ways to share this Article... DiggFacebookRedditNewsvinemyspacedel.icio.usNewsTrustStumble It! » This Story:Read +|Watch +| Comments Understand more about: Barack Obama Barack ObamaSenate SenateCongress CongressNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationCandice S. Miller Candice S. Miller ArticlesImagesVideoswashingtonpost.comThe webConsumers could get up to $4,500 toward new car...more fuel-efficient new vehicle. President Barack Obama is expected to... 9 hours ago | washingtonpost.comRescue Plan Would Give U.S. Most of GM's Stock...will be offered $20,000, plus a $25,000 car voucher. Skilled... May 27, 2009 | washingtonpost.comTalk About Travel: Travel Staffers Help You Plan Great Escapes...car practically went under the middle of the truck. The car was... May 4, 2009 | washingtonpost.comChrysler Seeks Balance Amid Sale Rumors...three months' salary and a $20,000 voucher for a car or a $20,000... February 24, 2007 | www.washingtonpost.comLawmakers consider help for autos in stimulus...models. The "cars for clunkers" cash voucher would be awarded at sale and... January 13, 2009 | www.washingtonpost.comMd. Car Dealers Settle Deceptive Ad Claims...at the sale price. He was told that they did. At the car lot, a... September 9, 2008 | www.washingtonpost.comEuro Woes: Nine Ways To Save...from Washington, lodging, breakfasts and a rental car for six... March 21, 2004 | www.washingtonpost.comForeclosure Epidemic Infecting Rental Market...shows up in a car, write down their tags and the type of car they... December 9, 2008 | www.washingtonpost.comFall on the FarmLeave pets at home, and supervise children carefully,... October 6, 2006 | www.washingtonpost.com'Cash for clunkers' plan passed by Congress...early August. Passenger car owners could receive a voucher worth $3,500... 10 hours ago | washingtonpost.com Images from Yahoo! Videos from YouTube More about:Barack ObamaNational Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationCandice S. Millerpowered byFrom Our Partners • What New Rules? Big Bank Stocks Keep Their Cool • The Duckling Got Real Ugly • When Ducklings Get Ugly More Stories From The Big Money People who read this also read... Judge Questions Obama Administration Assertion That Cheney Remarks Stay Secret Nevada students find naked man tied to a rock Senate's Health-Care Draft Calls for Most to Buy Insurance, Nixes Obama's 'Public Option' Unhappy Customer, 79, Dies After Bid to Stop Verizon Van in Vienna Most Viewed Business Articles 'Cash-for-Clunkers' Bill Passes in Bid To Revive Car Sales Financier, Associates Indicted in $7B Fraud Scheme Lawmakers Balk As Administration Tries to Redefine Central Bank's Role Rocky Day of Trading Expected Despite Positive Market Open » Top 35 Business Articles » Most Popular on washingtonpost.com More in Business Time Space Economy Explore economy news through text and photos from around the world. Local Companies Post editors and writers keep you informed about the region's business community. Economy Watch Stay updated with the latest breaking news about the financial crisis.© 2009 The Washington Post Company Ads by Google 2009 Car Leasing Deals Shop For Unbeatable Leasing Offers On 2009 Cars - All Makes & Models. www.2009CarLease.PriceShopping.com Selling your Vehicle? We'll Buy Your Vehicle Or Sell It For You.. Call Today! www.certifiedautobrokers.com Official Ford Site Ford Hybrid's Offers High Tax Credits and Great Gas Mileage. FordVehicles.com Find Your Dream Job Now! Go Jobs by SimplyHired Featured Advertiser Links Lawyer: Asbestos Lung Cancer, Hydroxycut, Raptiva>> Mesothelioma Lawyer, Stryker Hips, Shoulder Pain Pump>> Save Up To 75% On Cruises at Vacations To Go>> 3 Stocks to Help Rebuild Your Wealth-Click Here!>> Ads by Google Official Mercury Site Receive a Federal Tax Credit on a Mercury Hybrid Vehicle. MercuryVehicles.com Cash For Junk Cars Find Cash For Junk Cars. Get Info On cash for car Now. CashForCar.Verwu.com Cash For Junk Cars Find cash for car. Search Top cash for car Resources. LocalSearcher.info News | Politics | Opinions | Business |Local | Sports | Arts & Living | Going Out Guide Jobs | Cars | Real Estate | Rentals | Classifieds SEARCH: washingtonpost.com Web Search Archives washingtonpost.com: About Us | Work for Us | Advertisers | Site Map | Search Terms | Topics Index | Make us your homepage | Newsletters | Mobile | RSS | Widgets The Washington Post: Subscribe | Home Delivery Service | Advertisers | PostPoints | e-Replica | Online Photo Store | The Washington Post Store | About The Post | National Weekly The Washington Post Company: Information and Other Post Co. Websites © Copyright 1996-2009 The Washington Post Company | User Agreement and Privacy Policy | Rights and Permissions Help | Contact Us » 'Cash-for-Clunkers' Bill Passes in Bid To Revive Car Sales • Continuing Claims Fall For Jobless Benefits • "Cash-for-Clunkers" Bill at a Glance