Chaos for Clunkers

Foster's Robert Cook reports on impact that the choatic Cash for Clunkers program has had on at one local dealership:

Hurlbert said he came to the 33-year-old family-owned dealership on Friday morning and told his sales managers they were no longer participating in the federal government program, which was suspended on Thursday after the initial $1 billion in funding was exhausted by consumers nationwide who rushed to take advantage of it.

"Right now, I don't trust the government," Hurlbert said. "I don't think you're going to find any dealership in New Hampshire that has received the cash from the government."

Hurlbert said he initially decided Monday to participate in the federal program that pays consumers up to $4,500 for their used cars if they qualify to purchase a new, fuel efficient vehicle. As the money for the program was exhausted this week, Hurlbert and several other automobile dealers realized they could not make any cash for clunkers deals because they were unsure if they would ever receive any money from the government. (more)