Feds fuel rush to cash in clunkers

CENTER POINT - Car dealers and their customers continue to cash in on clunkers. The deal offers a rebate of up to $4,500 toward a new car in exchange for a gas-guzzler. That offer nearly screeched to a halt this week after an overwhelming response left funding for the program on empty. That's why customers are rushing in to take advantage of the refueled deal before it's gone for good.

It's a big deal Linda Little and her son Troy nearly missed. “I've got a Plymouth Voyager and we're looking at the Chrysler product again,” says Linda Little. The two are considering cashing in their clunkers, a move many across America are making to get a new set of wheels. “It inspired me, it inspired my mom, I think it inspires a lot of people. I mean, you're able to save $4,500 off the top, especially in this economy,” says Troy Little.

“Our biggest problem is finding inventory right now,” says Larry Breyer, Used Car Manager at the Junge Dealership in Center Point. Staff at the Junge Dealership in Center Point say they've sold twice as many Fords with the program. They've had to bring in cars from other dealerships just to keep up with demand. They feared it was over when the feds put the brakes on the deal. “We didn't know if the money was going to be there, or if it wasn't, right now, we're just going to carry on business as usual.”

The Little's are glad they didn't miss their chance to park their clunkers to drive off in a new car. The U.S. Senate has yet to pass an extra $2 billion into the program, but the White House has guaranteed all weekend sales and trade-ins.

Nicole Agee, KCRG-TV9 News Reporter