Cash For Clunker Program Success Likely To Cause New Car Shortages?

The popularity of the federal cash for clunkers incentive has drained U.S. dealer lots of vehicles.

Preliminary inventory reports for Aug. 1 indicate unsold vehicles fell below 2 million units -- the lowest figure since at least 1992, when the Automotive News Data Center began combining inventory figures for cars and light trucks.

The July 1 figure, 2.2 million units, already was the lowest monthly inventory mark since 1992. Because the annualized selling rate rose in July, inventories on a days-supply basis fell sharply. Chrysler Group shed 58,600 units last month, or 30 percent, and its days supply fell to 40, from 71 on July 1.

Ford Motor Co.'s inventory slid to 48 days, from 57 on July 1. General Motors was at 64 days, down from 82; Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. was at 29, from 47; and Hyundai-Kia was at 43 days, down from 49.


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thetruth01 - 8/6/2009 3:05:41 PM

+1 Boost

"Ford Motor Co.'s inventory slid to 48 days, from 57 on July 1. General Motors was at 64 days, down from 82; Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. was at 29, from 47; and Hyundai-Kia was at 43 days, down from 49."

Yes, 009, we get it, you hate CARS.

Any other time in the history of all of the history, those numbers were considered good news.

Oh, the hypocrisy!!

sdcarguy - 8/6/2009 4:23:32 PM

+2 Boost

A nice problem to have.

Janizary - 8/6/2009 5:13:23 PM

+3 Boost

There'll still be lots of large cars with lower MPG left on the lots. Just what us ugly American's like ;) (jjk)

PerformanceGuy - 8/6/2009 9:34:38 PM

+2 Boost

That is what happens when you have a plan that actually works.

bfghemicuda - 8/6/2009 9:47:55 PM

+1 Boost

Its a master PLAN allright