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Some New Mexico auto dealers have backed out of the cash-for-clunkers program and more may do so as the federal government takes its time providing cash reimbursements. Dealers across the state are owed more than $3.6 million, according to a dealers' group which says that so far Uncle Sam has only written three checks totaling about $14,000.

Dealers are pulling out of the program due to worries about repayments and limited availability of fuel efficient cars. But customers are losing interest as well

Survey of 800 Dealers: * 97% of dealers who responded, say the government is not reimbursing fast enough * 13% of dealers have dropped out the program because the government is not reimbursing fast enough and overall concern payment problems * 87% percent of dealers are concerned the money will be exhausted * 3% of CARS program deals have been reimbursed * 66% of dealers have not received one payment from the government Full survey results:

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood assured car dealers Wednesday that they will be reimbursed for the money they have fronted to customers buying vehicles under the Cash for Clunkers program. LaHood was responding to complaints over a backlog of rebate payments. Dealers must cover customer rebates out of pocket and wait for reimbursement from the federal government. Some have said their reimbursement requests have not been approved, leading to a cash crunch. That’s key because dealers typically borrow money to put new cars on their lots and must repay lenders within a few days of a sale. “I know dealers...

A New York dealership group says hundreds of its members have left the Cash for Clunkers program, citing delays in getting reimbursed by the government. The president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association says about half its 425 members have stopped offering rebates from the program because they can no longer afford them.

A New York dealership group says hundreds of its members have left the Cash for Clunkers program, citing delays in getting reimbursed by the government. Source: toyota.com With an EPA estimated 50 miles per gallon on the highway, the Toyota Prius is one of the most popular clunker purchases. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association said about half its 425 members have stopped offering rebates from the program because they can no longer afford them. Mark Schienberg says the group's dealers have been repaid for only about 2 percent of the clunkers deals they've made,...

NY Dealers Pull Out Of Cash For Clunkers Program Auto Dealerships Withdraw From Government Program, Citing Reimbursement Delays NEW YORK (CBS) ― Hundreds of auto dealers in the New York area have withdrawn from the government's Cash for Clunkers program, citing delays in getting reimbursed by the government, a dealership group said Wednesday. The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, which represents dealerships in the New York metro area, said about half its 425 members have left the program because they cannot afford to offer more rebates. They're also worried about getting repaid. "(The government) needs to move the system...

Politicians have been quick to crow about the success of the Cash for Clunkers program and its stimulative effect on automotive sales, and compared with dumping over $80 billion into AIG’s black hole, I suppose Clunkers seems like a home run. Thousands of consumers have benefited, cashing in their trades for $3,500 to $4,500. But most of the auto dealers have been left trying to get reimbursed by the hastily conceived bureaucracy. For some, it’s hard to work up a lot of sympathy for car dealers. Aren’t these the same miscreants that folklore suggests are less fun to experience than...

<p>Rep. Joe Sestak says only 2 percent of claims have been paid and that four of every five applications have been "rejected for minor oversight."</p> <p>The federal government has only reimbursed auto dealers for 2 percent of the claims they've submitted through the popular "cash for clunkers" program, a Pennsylvania congressman said, calling on the Obama administration to help speed up the process.</p>

Recordpub.com Marhofer closing in Stow is a "shock' Owner: Dealership having "exceptional' year in vehicle sales By Mike Lesko Stow Sentry Associate Editor STOW — Ron Marhofer could not believe his eyes. “I read it two or three times. I was shocked and surprised,” he said Wednesday, after being informed in a letter by General Motors that Marhofer Chevrolet in Stow would lose its Chevrolet franchise next year. Marhofer said the letter is confidential, but it said GM would not renew his franchise agreement as of October 2010. The company has been in business in Stow since 1933 and is...

Rival Warlord Gangs Fight Over the Spoils: Harry and the Pelosicrats at war with strongman Hussein al Hope bin Change! Dispatches from the fighting: Under legislation that has rapidly gained support, GM and Chrysler would have to reinstate more than 2,000 dealerships that the companies had slated for closure. House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) and several other congressmen spoke in support of the dealers. More than 240 House members have signed onto the bill, supporters said. The administration, however, did force GM and Chrysler to streamline their operations before it invested more money in them, and it was...

“There is absolute frustration across the board,” Alex Kurkin, a lawyer based in Miami who represents several car dealerships, tells The Lede today. “As of this morning, they’re not really confident about any deals, and no one can give them advice about what they should be telling their customers.” Mr. Kurkin tells us that the government Web site where dealers are supposed to register their deals has been crashing, and the dealers haven’t been able to plug in their information. Barry Magnus, the general manager of DCH Paramus Honda, told us he was owed more than $80,000, and he wondered...

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The head of the White House's auto task force is warning Congress against a House-approved plan to restore General Motors and Chrysler dealerships being closed by the car companies' bankruptcies.

The House passed a Treasury appropriations bill last week that includes an amendment reversing President Obama on the closure of nearly 800 Chrysler car dealerships and more than 2,000 GM dealerships. The amendment sponsor was Republican Steve LaTourette of Ohio. 215 Democrats and 4 Republicans voted for the overall package. Bipartisanship! The most snort-worthy reaction from the White House: The White House said Wednesday it strongly opposes the measure, arguing it would “set a dangerous precedent, potentially raising legal concerns, to intervene in a closed judicial bankruptcy proceeding on behalf of one particular group.”

If George W. Bush had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, and then given the jobs to his party's contributors, would you have approved?

In this CNN interview, this car dealer does a great job defending common sense http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e60VhXBo1S8&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpub29%2Ebravenet%2Ecom%2Fforum%2Fstatic%2Fshow%2Ephp%3Fusernum%3D2442810129%26frmid%3D8%26msgid%3D1035701%26cmd%3Dshow&feature=player_embedded

It seems Obama's star power is fading rapidly. The Treasury Appropriations bill was passed 219-209 yesterday in the House. The roll call shows that the 219 is 215 dems and 4 pubs. Tucked away in the bill is a provision that is a bit of extortion: No money can be used to obtain a financial ownership in any car manufacturer if that manufacturer deprives a car dealer of its economic right under its dealer agreement.

BUTLER, Mo. — Buy a truck and get a free AK-47 gun. That's the deal a Missouri truck dealer is offering new customers who buy a pick-up truck in August. Mark Muller, owner of Max Motors in Butler, says he knows people will be bothered by the promotion. But not to worry, Muller is not handing out free guns. Instead, he will give buyers a voucher to use at a gun store after they obtain a license to carry a concealed weapon. The AK-47 is an upgrade on a previous promotion in which Muller gave away vouchers for the price...

WASHINGTON - A spending bill passed by the U.S. House would force General Motors and Chrysler to restore franchise agreements with approximately 3,000 dealerships. Dealers across the country were cut loose as part of restructuring plans approved by bankruptcy courts. Meanwhile, the House Financial Services committee is seeking documents from the Obama administration on the "bailouts of General Motors and Chrysler.” Lawmakers have questions about how the President's auto task force reached its decisions to send the auto companies into bankruptcy.

The White House on Wednesday blasted growing, bipartisan congressional efforts to aid closed auto dealers but stopped short of threatening a veto. An amendment to put dealers back in business survived a challenge in the House Rules Committee on Tuesday and is to be voted on as part of the financial services appropriations bill this week. The Obama administration said reversing dealer closings would set a "dangerous precedent, potentially raising legal concerns, to intervene into a closed judicial bankruptcy proceeding on behalf of one particular group at this point." The statement is consistent with the administration's position during the bankruptcies...