Brakes applied to cash for clunkers

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Update: It looks as though the program will be extended at least through this weekend. Votes today in Washington will decide if additional funding will be allocated to the program.

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It looks like the brakes are being put on the Cash for Clunkers Program.

The internet was flooded with rumors Thursday that the government ran out of money for the program.

But Bob Rohrman group general manager Tony Eichholz said it looks like it's just being temporarily suspended as of midnight Thursday.

But the rumor that cash for clunkers could be kaput sent clunker owners in droves to some dealerships.
"The salesman told me that only a few days left he thought we should do it fairly soon if I was planning on using the cash for clunkers bill," said Bob Watts

Watts drove all the way from Morocco to trade in his clunker for a new car. He had been thinking about getting a new car because of the $4,500 incentive. When he heard the program could be ending, that was all he needed to seal the deal.

Eichholz said Thursday was the busiest day yet for his dealership as people grew concerned the funding was running out. He said the government doesn't want to fall behind in keeping track of the money.

"They're not ending but they're gonna suspend it for the time being and I believe probably let them get caught up as far as the funding," said Eichholz.

By Midnight Thursday night the program will temporarily suspended. But Eichholz said his dealership is still going to file paperwork for prospective buyers.

"We're gonna get all their information. We're gonna be ready for when the green light happens again to process their information," he said.

Eichholz said he thinks the government will eventually enlarge and extend the program because of it's success.

He also said Bob Rohrman has sold between 35 and 50 cars because of this deal. In this week alone at his dealership at least 15 cars.