Some of the feedback included comments such as:
"Newer car, forced to have full coverage, they have to fix it or be liable to the bank."
"The program kept people from fixing the older cars."
"No one spends money to repair 'clunkers'."
"People are going to replace their cars regardless of the program. As long as they are driving something our business shouldn't be affected."
To see more comments for those surveyed visit & the public results: www.web-est.com
William Jeans, AOL Autos Editor-at-Large recently wrote an article entitled "Cash for Clunkers Buyers Suffer Buyer's Remorse, Won't Save Fuel," making the point vehicle owners drive more when they own a new car verses an old clunker. "CNW (the pollsters) surveyed drivers involved in the purchase of the first 239,000 C4C ("C4C" is the name of the Federal Program") vehicles. The average intended annual mileage was 10,894, up from the actual clunker mileage of 6,162. For those of you without a calculator falling readily to hand, that's nearly double."
From the collision repair industry standpoint, the AOL survey results are good news: the more the public drives, the more collisions there are to be repaired. However, it's important for repair shops to be up on the latest and greatest manufacture repair requirements. Also, keep in mind the newer the vehicle, is normally higher in average repair price... that's more good news. The bad news? All of us tax payers are paying for that nice new shiny car parked in your neighbor's yard. The silver lining? They'll need it fixed sooner or later.
