Is that before or after the 700,000 bump? What were they in 2005?

17 million in 2005

Dog,

The bailout wasn't just for American car companies.

Yet, that's the only segment you mention in your post.

Let me be clear: I recognize the short term bump in auto sales. You don't need to keep repeating the number.

My point concerns the long term.

If people need GOVERNMENT money (a misnomer unto itself) to purchase a vehicle today, why will they suddenly not need this stimulus tomorrow?

If this is a one time boost to sales, how does this help at all?

Your "Yeah Obama" response ignores the long term. But that's par for the course from his supporters.

We want change. We want it now. Who cares about tomorrow?

Let's say your dry wall business is slow.

If your local government gave out incentive checks to remodel homes then you'd likely see a temporary boost in business.

But at the end of the program, the towns people get hit with higher taxes. Then then can't afford any more remodeling, so your business suffers even more.

What did the incentive program do?

It gave you a short term boost in business.

Bravo.

But I am missing one important point:

If we continue down the road that Obama is leading us on, maybe one day the government WILL have its own money.

43. Totally get your reasoning, and can say, yes you have a valid point. When you live where I do, you take any good news you can. Maybe if people think outside the box alittle, or even think at all, we can put together a string of little successes, and make the 'public' believe that things could get better. And whether this is an illusion or just delussion, you need the American people to have a hope for America, or you are never going to turn this economy around. While I concede your and HD's points about taking future car buyers out of the market, the car manufacturers could have sat on this inventory for years to come. I have purchased 4 new vehicles in the last three years, I know that you can get far more off the sticker than what the government gave out, on the last three truck purchases I got at least ten thousand off the sticker. If we can get the finance market taking in more 'of the people who don't deserve credit', again you will sell more cars, afterall unless you are Cuba, most Americans can't keep a car going past 6 years.

DETROIT–People are keeping their cars and trucks longer as quality improves and the uncertain U.S. economy makes new purchases less appealing, according to a study released this week by automotive consulting firm R.L. Polk & Co.

Polk said the median age of cars on U.S. roads was 9.2 years in 2007. That ties the previous year's record high. In 2007, 41.3 per cent of all cars were 11 years or older, compared with 40.9 per cent the year before.

AP

DETROIT BUILDS GREAT TRUCKS!

Mine was built in Kansas City with an engine from Windsor, Canada.

Flyover truck!

So, it was a GREAT TRUCK!