Australia delays “cash for clunkers” roll-out

Rewards for trading in old cars for more environmentally-friendly vehicles will be delayed until July 1, 2011 due to the desire by industry stakeholders to ensure best practice, according to Australia’s Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Kim Carr. Prime Minister Julia Gillard predicted that up to 200,000 cars built before 1995 would be removed from Australia’s roads. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has proposed raising the fuel efficiency standards required and increasing the rebate to A$5,000 (US$5,052). (November 6, 2010)