Customers view the cars for sale at Commonwealth Motors in Lawrence, Mass., in July. (Charles Krupa / AP)
Dealers get 'clunkers' sales jump in July
The government's "cash for clunkers" program drew car and truck buyers back to showrooms last month, making July the best month for auto sales since August 2008. The Ford Focus, which gets 35 mpg on the highway, was the No. 1 purchase of those trading in clunkers. Bob Carter, Toyota group vice president in the U.S., says the automaker sold more than 30,000 vehicles through the clunker program, around 17 percent of its sales. About 80 percent of trade-in vehicles have been trucks, vans and SUVs. "For us," he says, "this really confirms that there's an appetite out there for fuel-efficient vehicles."
--Associated Press
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Routine repairs can save in the long run
Don't want to spend $100 on new brake pads? That could lead to spending $400 to replace the brake rotors. Thinking of passing on that $300 tuneup? It could result in a $900 catalytic converter replacement. Consumer Reports reminds drivers that making small repairs and following recommended maintenance schedules can prevent expensive auto repairs in the future. Other investments it suggests making are tire rotations, repairing windshield cracks and replacing your car's timing belt on schedule, usually between 60,000 and 100,000 miles.
--NWautos staff
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