This is a good place to drop general and weird news, entertainment, and general show prep material that might be interesting to air talent or producers. Hot dog threads ALWAYS welcome.
Back in January, Germany began their own stimulus package by offering a "Scrapping Bonus".
They basically pay you a bonus of "about" $3,000 to scrap your old car, and in turn purchase a new one. This has become wildly popular, and they may extend the program.
Funny thing is, most Germans are buying new Japanese and Korean small cars.
Nonetheless, the program has merit I think. I mean... how much of OUR stimulus money have YOU received so far? Giving a person $3,000 in my opinion is in no way welfare ASSUMING of course that he/she works and pays taxes. This is nothing more than getting some of their money back!
This program is fine I suppose for those willing to go in debt, which is MOST people.
Anyway.... do you think a program like this would play here?
They did this some 15 years ago, after absorbing East Germany. Then the thrust was to get the crappy and very smoky Trabants and Wartburgs off the roads.
In Europe, like the USA, there must be 10's of millions old cars with a few years left on them just sitting around.
For the car makers to really sell cars, the excess cars must be somehow disposed of. I suspect the USA could survive
for years on just the beaters and rolling junk available now. If you are not concerned about image, they are fine.
Something that could be done is to go out and buy all the older cars not under license. That would force buyers
to seek a new vehicle. Probably Japanese or Korean tho.
"Everyone Should be aware that you're just a screen grab away from infamy."
The 3k credit would more than make up for the depreciation difference of buying brand new for most vehicles, so many more will be sold. It would also make new vehicles more affordable for more people. A net positive effect on the economy.
This may be a government program with very little downside, for once...
It shouldn't matter whether or not a vehicle or foreign or "domestic", as there is no such thing as an "American-made vehicle" anyway.
And this was a used--err "executive" car, (formerly driven by a Mr. Hertz )--that I bought for $14K. Replaced disk brakes at 180K miles, replaced fuel pump and air conditioner (only expensive repair) last summer. Obviously built "Ford Tough."
My grad-student girl friend is using it on her Marietta to Athens run, we will see how long it runs.
)--that I bought for $14K. Replaced disk brakes at 180K miles, replaced fuel pump and air conditioner (only expensive repair) last summer. Obviously built "Ford Tough."