By Jeff Hamlin
Assistant News Director

The government’s “cash-for-clunkers” program is being credited with sending car and truck buyers back to American showrooms.

At Chapel Hill’s Performance Automall, it was no different, according to Gerald Ramoin, General Manager of Performance Automall.

Sales figures show the Suburu, Toyota, Chevrolet and Honda dealerships under the Performance Automall chain had significant success with the “cash-for-clunkers” program. Ramoin adds it didn’t seem to make a difference in the higher line cars like Porsche or BMW.

Across the country, the consensus is “cash-for-clunkers” has worked. July was the best month for auto sales in nearly a year. Around 250-thousand vehicles were sold under the program in less than a week. In response, Congress is seeking an additional $2 billion for the program, and the House has already approved the extra money.

If the program does continue, Ramoin expects car sales to remain strong, although not as robust as July.

The $2 billion dollars approved by the House still awaits approval from the Senate and President Obama.