Cash for Clunkers program begins today

The Federal Cash for Clunkers program begins today. It is designed to get old, gas-guzzling cars off the roads. But where do they go?

The Federal Cash for Clunkers program begins today. It is designed to get old, gas-guzzling cars off the roads. But where do they go?

Listen:
[audio: 090723tmclunker.mp3]

The old cars will end up as parts for other cars. The rules for the program mandate that the cars must either be crush or recycled, which means plenty of work for junkyards. Michael Wilson is with the Automotive Recyclers Association. He says the parts will be useful for people who can’t afford a new car.

Wilson: You’ve got a lot of low-income folks who need the parts that we have to sell to keep their vehicles going. Whether you give a $3500 or $4500 dollar voucher they don’t have the means to buy a new car so it really does not effect them all the see is the economical ways to repair their cars.

There is enough money in the federal program to provide 250,000 vouchers. An Conshohocken auto auction manager says it might help the used car business because those that don’t qualify could buy a newer used car.