cam070 wrote:I just had another thought on this. The cash for clunkers scheme is supposed to be a green initiative which is fine. However, rather than trying to encourage people to trade up to cars that they probably can't afford, using a grant that will probably be ineffectual and result in more money going offshore, as there are probably only a couple of models manufactured locally, why doesn't the government give us grants for computer controlled fuel injection systems.
Sounds a bit daft I know, but probably not as daft as the clunkers scheme. Source locally built EFI computers and parts, have local mechanics/technicians install them and we should get cars emit less pollutants, money goes into local economy.
OK, candidate cars would have to pass a quality test first to qualify so we don't waste cash on complete rubbish cars.
Also means we waste less energy on recycling/melting old cars to make new ones.
I'm sure theer are a few holes in my idea, but I've hardly spend tens of thousands of tax payer dollars coming up with it!
That would definitely make a lot more sense than the cash for clunkers scheme! As an extension of that idea, imagine the government giving a grant/rebate (like the LPG conversion rebate) for individuals to upgrade their cars to newer and more efficient engines. Imagine for example the owner of a VN Commodore being given a subsidy towards installing the engine from a wrecked newer-model Commodore, like a VE Alloytec. The combination of a VE engine in a lighter VN would use less fuel than a VE Commodore, and the re-use of the old car body is much more environmentally friendly than building a new car and scrapping the old one. Simply melt down that old VN V6 for scrap, and everyone's happy! Similarly any Falcon from the last 40+ years could take a modern Falcon 6 cylinder, and even things like a V8 Kingswood could be upgraded to an LS1 for huge efficiency gains! Let's see the government put their money where their mouth is!