Cash for clunkers: is it a stimulus for radio?

As talk radio blah-blahs out one side of its mouth bemoaning the "Cash for Clunkers" bill as a big government, "European-style" socialist handout, the radio business management side is hoping it'll provide a kick in the ass in a dreary summer in ad sales.

(Photo: "Sweaty Betty" queen of the BlatherWatch fleet)

The stimulus is heading for President Obama's desk even though Republicans tried to quash the idea.

The government will give a $4,500 voucher -- the equivalent of cash -- if you trade in your 18-mpg or worse gas guzzler. for a car or truck that gets at least 10-mpg better mileage than the old one. If tit gets four mpg better, the voucher's worth $3,500.

God forbid we learn anything from Europeans, The Wall Street Journal reports:

But the model everyone is looking at is Germany, which juiced car sales last month by more than 20%. Proponents of the cash-for-clunkers program say Germany’s plan, which offers rebates slightly smaller than in the proposed U.S. version, shows how the government can accelerate the modernization of the auto fleet—and make it cleaner at the same time. The German auto lobby says a “significant proportion” of February buyers traded in old cars for compact and medium-size cars.

It was a windfall for advertising, too. And though the US plan is underfunded at 1$billion, perhaps the Congress wil give it another go- round as Germany did after the initial success.

Car ads are a big part of media revenue which has taken a hit as the downturn has chilled car sales. Will the attractive vouchers spur an uptick in auto ads? Radio and teevee ad execs are hoping it's so: Fords and Toyotas bring in some much more than prostate healing and Nature Bee's.

Comments

[Mikey]

It's a great idea and one that would only have had a chance under a Democrat administration. I personally know two people already who will take advantage of this and were in a dilemma as to what to do with their gas-guzzling car. This is an example of what an administration that has it's constituents in mind does. The Republicans will see how much of a stimulus this can be and all the while will be bitchin about it even tho it will help their fat cats also in the long run. We have a President and an administration we can be proud of who will advance ideas on their merit and not on their political attractivness.

[Queens Hunter]

Mikey-I heard the latest proposal to tax employee health benefits provided by employers will be exclusive of unions?

Political attractiveness-ya think dude?

[Drew]

Getting people out of their ineffecient autos is a good thing for a country that has a very unhealthy addiction to fossil fuels. The first step towards this was the election of a President that wasn't put in place by the oil companies.

[Drew]

And if this President wants to make incentives for employers to quit being so hostile to unions, and their employees that want to organize, that's also great.

[M.Steele]

Long range strategy has been a sore point for manufactures. I like the incentive to buy tactic as to secure jobs in the future. You’re right mikey, only a democrat could have figured this one out.

[chucks]

I have not read the law so I have no idea how good it is. In all of my years in the car business, most of the people that drive the old shitters like the Cougar or Tbird pictured above are poor or young, driving dads old wreck and can't afford a new car anyway.
Just in case, I bought several old heavy's on EBay today that I hope to sell for a profit to somebody preparing to buy a new car so thay can get the gumment cheese.

[KS]

"It's a great idea and one that would only have had a chance under a Democrat administration. I personally know two people already who will take advantage of this and were in a dilemma as to what to do with their gas-guzzling car. This is an example of what an administration that has it's constituents in mind does. The Republicans will see how much of a stimulus this can be and all the while will be bitchin about it even tho it will help their fat cats also in the long run. We have a President and an administration we can be proud of who will advance ideas on their merit and not on their political attractivness."

Do the taxpayers or the amount of debt we incur matter here ? Evidently not. That's why the opposition bitches, dufus. The facts are a bitch.

To put it simply, you and the usual suspects have ODS - Obama Derangement Syndrome - where you are drunk with liberal prorgressivism and reverse recism.
God forbid we learn anything from the Europeans - Yes, especially if we look at their economic growth over the last 20 years, since big government socialism began in those countries. What would China do in this situation ? (hint: most likely something different)

[KS]

oopsy - reverse racism.. What's my evidence ? Sottemeyer for SCOTUS for one. The White House press corps have morphed into lemmings and sheeple.

[Black]

Hey chuck, read the law. it won't work, you'd better try for a refund.

[Black]

KS- you are nuts.

[KS]

Black - you are a progressive lemming.

[M.Steele]

Are you suggesting we should adopt European economic models? And we should reflect China’s protectionist stance? There may be hope for you KS.

[KS]

"God forbid we learn anything from the Europeans"

Yes, especially if we look at their economic growth over the last 20 years, since big government socialism began in those countries.

To elaborate for your benefit, God forbid if we adopt Europe's program after seeing how abysmal their economies are.

Conversely, if you are in the tank for European health system, there is not much hope for you, Steele along with the progressive lemmings with ODS. China's economy is much better than Europe's, but I'd recommend their health care system over Europe - their protection stance should of course be modified here.

[M.Steele]

KS,

WE are not China, Europe or South Africa. We can take the best of these countries and with a little adjustment that will compensate for our own society create something better. After all the monetary system was born in Europe and we perfected it. The overly general statements pertaining to the US becoming Europe are demeaning to the people trying to create a better US. And it keeps the less educated in a place of mediocrity that is of disservice.

[KS]

"The overly general statements pertaining to the US becoming Europe are demeaning to the people trying to create a better US. And it keeps the less educated in a place of mediocrity that is of disservice."

WTF ? They weren't general - they referred specifically to the Health Care distribution system.

[M.Steele]

KS,
The “European Health Care distribution system”, as opposed to the “US Health Care distribution system” will be tailored toward the US. To say we would duplicate the systems overseas is a farce. And it is a generalization that withholds the positives of these systems.

[KS]

he “European Health Care distribution system”, as opposed to the “US Health Care distribution system” will be tailored toward the US. To say we would duplicate the systems overseas is a farce. And it is a generalization that withholds the positives of these systems.'

I didn't say that, you did. Your reading comprehension is sadly lacking. In addition, that is nothing more than your opinion you are trying to submit as fact.

[Drew]

What's your obsession with lemmings, ks?

[Janet]

This program has run out of gas because someone is siphoning it.

It is not the consumer the benefits. While good intentions may win some, it is what is really happening with this program that is troubling. There are scams and more. See, http://butasforme.com/2009/07/17/cash-for-clunkers-the-ultimate-bait-and-switch-marketing-tool

[Drew]

That was really nice Janet. Now do you have any information that doesn't come from a blatantly conservative website?