Has anyone heard or are the Smart Car Dealerships doing anything to lobby Congress to give the owners of the new 451's a tax break? We drive a very economical car and it has a nice green footprint. I am averaging 42.68 mpg.
Permalink Reply by neal on August 12, 2008 at 9:24am
What makes you think the dealerships are interested lobbying on the customer's behalf? Get real! these dealers are only interested in the bottom line and your idea, although very altruistic, isn't practical. I do wish you luck with this suggestion.
Permalink Reply by Hugo on August 12, 2008 at 10:37am
The dealership would be doing themselves a favor by lobbying on their own behalf. I present exhibit #1, the Toyota Prius. The demand for that car is now so high, they have started to build 3 plants for just the Prius in the United States. That car had a tax rebate and it was well worth the company's time to make that happen. Just a point to ponder.
Permalink Reply by neal on August 12, 2008 at 11:13am
Again I like your idea, but we are not dealing with Toyota, MB, or even Smart we are dealing with Penske. Your exhibit looks like it holds water until one looks at Toyota just introducing the Prius when they lobbied congress. They were hoping to increase there market share. Penske(importer) will sell every smart for the next two years, so why spend the money to lobby for something they can't see an immediate return on. We may see it in long distant future. Don't hold your breath.
In the next 2-3 years a lot of electrics(smart included) and full hybrids are coming on line, so again why lobby for old technology.
Hybrids, Alternative Fuel, Electric Vehicles and some diesels get tax incentives. They did add a new Tax Incentive for Biodiesel... so if the CDI becomes available in the US you could run biodiesel and get that but it would be nice if their was a tax incentive for the top green cars or at least add an incentive for ULEV... heck a 20 MPG SUV Hybrid gets a tax credit
Also an fyi the tax credit has ended with the older hybrids and the credit is non-transferable so you'll need to by it new..
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