"Obama signs 'clunkers' bill; $3,500 or $4,500 for eligible trade-ins July 1-Nov. 1"

President Obama on June 24 signed into law legislation that includes the so-called “cash-for-clunkers” program, which provides up to $4,500 for consumers who trade-in older vehicles for a new fuel-efficient vehicle.

The Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) Act of 2009 is for eligible trade-ins for new vehicles purchased or leased until Nov. 1 or until the $1 billion appropriated for the program is exhausted.

But the U.S. Transportation Department has until late July to iron out several details in the act, and the Illinois Revenue Department has not ruled whether sales tax would be due on the $3,500 or $4,500 vouchers. Dealers are cautioned that any “clunkers” transactions completed before the DOT publishes the program’s rules may not qualify for reimbursement.

The CATA will relay the evolving news as it develops over the next several weeks. When enough information is available, the National Automobile Dealers Association will conduct a series of Webinars to educate dealers on how the program works and how to comply with its rules.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration created an official, government-run Web site, http://www.cars.gov/, with full details about the CARS program. Dealers should avoid other unauthorized sites that reportedly have surfaced, trying to obtain dealership information to register them for the program.

Under the program, cars rated at 18 miles per gallon or lower in combined city and highway driving could be turned in for cash vouchers good toward the purchase or lease of a new car. New cars rated at least 4 mpg higher would earn a $3,500 voucher, while a 10 mpg improvement would earn a $4,500 voucher.

Trucks, including vans and most SUVs, are eligible, but the new vehicle must average at least 18 mpg and get at least 2 mpg more than the old vehicle to qualify for a $3,500 voucher. A $4,500 voucher goes to a new truck getting 5 mpg more.

Trade-ins must be driveable, not more than 25 model-years older than the new car, and registered and insured by the owner for at least the past 12 months.

For the clunkers, the legislation is a death sentence. Participating dealers must certify that they transfer clunkers to an entity that will crush or shred the vehicles, to keep them off the streets.
Dealers must register to participate in the program. The procedure to register is not finalized.
“Because a customer’s decision to purchase usually comes down to the monthly payment,” said NADA Chairman John McEleney, “a $3,500 credit translates to $75 to $100 a month in savings, which is very significant.”

Ford Transit Connect brings european practicality to commercial vehicle market

Consider this more a preview than a review because only part of a day was spent with the Ford Transit Connect. But if my first impressions are correct (and they usually are with automobiles) this little commercial truck that has been on sale in Europe since 2002 could be quite a hit in the United States.

As Ford demonstrated during a program in Manhattan at the end of May, this is going to be a good vehicle for small businesses. Ford chose Manhattan (as well as five other cities across the U.S.) to show how well the Transit Connect handled itself in an urban setting but I see this van being a big hit in the suburbs and smaller cities, too.

The primary reason is going to be its cargo capacity. This little truck can swallow up a lot of items. The Transit Connect has 135.3 cubic feet of cargo space and can hold a payload capacity up to 1,600 pounds - a larger payload than the full size Dodge Ram 1500 standard-cab short-box pickup truck, according to Ford. Plus, and this part absolutely intrigues me, the Transit Connect is rated at 22 city, 25 highway EPA miles per gallon. That’s unheard of for a delivery vehicle. (As a matter of fact, the city mileage is better than a 4-cylinder Toyota Camry, which is quite an accomplishment.)

The Transit Connect is built on a dedicated front-wheel drive commercial vehicle platform to meet and exceed the needs of small-business owners and entrepreneurs. To prepare Transit Connect for United States duty, the powertrain was upgraded to include a proven Duratec 2.0-liter dual-overhead cam (DOHC) I-4 engine and a four-speed automatic overdrive transaxle. Several design details, including the grille and interior touches, have been updated to lend the vehicle a fresh, new look for its American debut.

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First Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus SHO

The return of the high-powered daily driver on par with the V8 offerings of upscale competitors at a fraction of the price. Quite possibly the “sleeper of the year”.

After driving a 2010 Taurus Limited the prior day, Ford set us out to drive in the twisty roads of northeast North Carolina. Switchbacks, steep inclines, and awe-inspiring views in the SHO. These are not a set of roads you want to send a group of journalists out on unless you are completely sure your car will stack up.

And the SHO does. All of our complaints from the previous day’s drive (slow steering, okayish acceleration) became a distant memory. As we bustled up and through the mountains it was almost too easy to forget we were behind the wheel of a four-door full-size sedan. The EcoBoost V6 is strangely un-turbo like. Only once did we catch the faintest whiff of wastegate noise. Low-end torque is so abundant, turbo-lag is a complete non-issue.

With all the standard features of the Taurus Limited and a blatant heap of power- we were coddled in comfort at the same time we carved up with glee some of the tightest roads we’ve driven on. It’s the same experience you would have only expected out of a BMW or Audi- except your driving a Ford… and a Taurus to boot. Suddenly everything we knew about what this segment should be turned fuzzy.

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