In Europe, 'cash for clunkers' drives sales

[tocqueville]

Source: AP

By MATT MOORE, AP Business Writer Matt Moore, Ap Business Writer – Fri Aug 7, 4:52 pm ET

BERLIN – For months, European car buyers have been junking clunkers for cash, boosting automakers sales — but making experts fear that once the government handouts stop, the struggling car industry will return to a slump no pile of cash can conquer.

The various programs have surged in popularity since France introduced the idea in December 2008.

Germany, Italy, Britain, Romania, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain and Serbia have introduced their own versions aimed at shoring up local automakers, from Germany's Daimler AG to Romania's Dacia.

While critics contend the billions of euros in handouts only benefit auto makers at the expense of other industries and have just delayed a slump in car sales, proponents point out that it has kept large companies operating and helped reduce layoffs and temporary shutdowns.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090807/ap_on_re_eu/eu_europe_cash_for_clunkers

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see even here :

A glance at Europe's 'cash-for-clunkers' programs

By The Associated Press The Associated Press – Fri Aug 7, 4:55 pm ET

The popular "cash-for-clunkers" program that has encouraged consumers in Europe and the U.S. to trade in their old cars for newer and more efficient models was born in December 2008 when French President Nicolas Sarkozy unveiled a euro26 billion ($37.36 billion) stimulus plan to help the country ward off a recession.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090807/ap_on_re_eu/eu_europe_cash_for_clunkers_glance

so originally it's a French idea...

[sasquatch]

1. Oops, another clusterfuck by the right wing

[DBoon]

2. wait a second. Isn't Sarkosky a "right wing" French politician

And he started the "cash for clunkers" program?