U.S. cars excluded from Japan's cash-for-clunkers program

[NNN0LHI]

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2009/12/us-cars-excluded-from-japans-cash-for-clunkers-program-/1

Dec 11, 2009

The good news for automakers is that Japan is mounting its own cash-for-clunkers program. The bad news is that foreign automakers -- like Ford and G.M. -- are effectively excluded, even though half the vehicles bought under the U.S. program were Japanese.

Not amused, the American Automotive Policy Council, which includes Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, criticized the policy as "outright discrimination," the Detroit Free Press reports. The Obama administration called on Japan to open up its program.

The paper calls the complaints "more about symbolism than sales" since Detroit sells only a handful of vehicles in Japan and has no North American-built vehicles designed to appeal to Japanese customers or meet strict Japanese fuel economy rules.

So far, Detroit automakers have sold 7,901 cars and trucks in Japan through November of this year, while Japanese automakers have exported1.3 million vehicles to the United States.

Under the U.S. cash-for-clunkers program, Japanese automakers claimed 319,342 of the 677,017 vehicles sold, according to federal data.

[Tobin S.]

1. Isn't Chrysler German owned now days?

[madokie]

3. Didn't fiat just buy them?

[divideandconquer]

6. Fiat is a minority owner and manages Chrysler

Mercedes basically stole all Chryslers billion in the bank and looted the company in general then sold it to corporate raider cerebus. FIAT is considerd one of the best run car companies and is a leader in small car technology.

[LiberalFighter]

2. Then as an act of symbolism we should revoked the cash they received under our program.

[Shagbark Hickory]

4. Some governments are trying to save their jobs not just give bailouts to auto corps.

[divideandconquer]

7. International trade with Asia is a hoax, it's all fixed against america producers

Japan's market is so rigged even Hyundai pulled out recently.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

5. The headline makes it seem like the US is singled out, when in fact it's every foreign maker.

Dishonest editoring there.