Comments on: VW plant closure prevented by scrappage incentive

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:04:20 +0000

Dan,
I agree that lowering the taxes has made the market more competitive and better for the consumer, but in these times i feel its a matter of everyman for himself.

Why should we sacrafice our selves to ensure the continual injection of cash into a foreign economy???

We are absolutely spoilt for choice in OZ, Too much choice.
I bet you wont get the sort of choice we have in Japan….

As wheelnut said its like our government cares more about our international image than what is happening below the skin, and I have also thought that for a long time.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:59:33 +0000

Wheelnut, i dont believe i ever suggested a “$15K” incentive for aussie cars, but i did say any incentives should only apply to aussie made vehicles whether it be tax cuts or scrappage schemes.

And i have also said what Dan just reiterated in that i cant see someone driving an old bomb suddenly going out and buying a new commie just because their pocket would be 3.5K heavier

Dan,
with the introduction of the focus and Cruze to be made here it would see aussie made cars for the low 20K mark.
even then i still cant see it as something to lure everyone out of their 500buck rust buckets.
they are still gonna have to shell out 20K for something that they have never prioratised in their life evidented by their current bomb of a ride

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:55:25 +0000

15K is a bit too much I think. Keep it 5K, or perhaps just get rid of the stamp duty crap when you buy a car. The extra 10K per car can be used elsewhere. Next they’ll be giving away free taxpayer funded cars…

Level playing field hey? Cost of beemers etc. will come down. Falcodores will feel more heat and pressure to improve their game. So far they’ve had it easy. I guess this can only benefit the consumer. Not so much for Falcodore & Co shareholders haha

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:48:57 +0000

Dan It was Andrew M who first mmentioned the idea of giving people a $15k incentive to scrap their old cars provided that they buy an Aussie built car and i support him on that.

It would be even more of an incentive if the Federal Govt stopped trying to establish a “level playing field” with our trading partners and continue to reduce Tarrifs.
The government says its all aprt of the “fair trade agreements” that they have signed yet no-one else has dropped their tarrifs.. just us.

Shows the Federal Government is more concerned with our international image than anything else really doesn’t it?

Not that our trading partners seem to mind because it means that if they have problems selling a particular car they can dump the excess stock in Australia.

ATM our tarrifs are at 10% and going to be dropped to 5% thanks to the recommendations in a half ars-d report by Steven Bracks.. which will mean at least a 20% difference between us and our nearest trading partner.

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:30:40 +0000

Yep, I know. And as someone said previously, the scrappage incentive should only be directed at aussie made cars, ie. commodores, falcons, camrys and whatever else is made on our shores. Giving that money towards people buying Kias, Volkswagens, or Nissans, is bloody stupid. As the governemnt would be propping up jobs overseas rather than local jobs, with our taxpayers money. Besides, as if someone with a 500 dollar junk is going to go and buy a new commodore all of a sudden. It works in germany, as their home companies produce cars affordable enough to be sold to poorer people who drive 500 cars. Here in Australia, you’d need to fork out around 30K minimum for a locally made car. It’s just not realistic for us.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:20:26 +0000

Dan,
Sure a Kia rio is 15K, but dont forget to add the extra $2700 to get it on the road.

and then dont forget to add the extra premium for wanting an actual car which would see you needing more like 20K

Holstein,
what did your friend buy for 9K??? (i know it was second hand)

By: Frenchie

Frenchie — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:46:17 +0000

I think its a good idea. What you said JasonP, less if you are buying a foreign car more for an Aussie car. If an equivalent Aussie car cannot be found maybe offer alittle more in scrappage fee.

By: holstein hore ).( ).(

holstein hore ).( ).( — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:07:29 +0000

Man some of you gooses will winge about anything .

1 ] you must have owned the old car for more than 12 months

2 ] gee salesman dont you sell kia’s for $15000 new

3 ] so their going to devalue any way, particulaly if its a big 6 or v8.

4 ] germans are pretty smart manufactures and marketeers , they have done their homework , italians and french are also considering it

5 ] better than dumping $6 billion on a whim/fantasy with so called expert local manufacturers .

give it a go

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:00:34 +0000

I know Andrew. That’s another issue. Which is why I gave that scenario of an easy rort. You wanna get yourself a Merc? Go get a Datsun bomb first for 200 bucks out of the paper. Trade that to the government for your 5K handout, and get yourself the Merc. You’re saving 4,800 bucks on the deal, thanks to the government.

Thinking about it further and further, dumb idea!

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 07:57:52 +0000

Andrew M said – “what new car do you get for 15K”

I’m sure you’ll find something Korean or Malaysian in that price range…