In Kansas, 7,400 vehicles were traded in under the program, including 2,025 in Wichita, according to data The Eagle analyzed from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Statewide, the vehicles had an average 161,337 miles on them.
Enticed by the Cash for Clunkers program, Dick Guthridge unloaded a 1996 Ford Aerostar in his business' fleet of vehicles for a more fuel-efficient Ford Transit Connect.
"The one we had got like 7 to 8 miles per gallon," said Guthridge, co-owner of Guthridge/ Nighswonger Corp., a general contractor in Wichita. "Now we're getting like 23, 24 miles per gallon."
A painter for Guthridge/ Nighswonger is driving the Transit Connect, previously only sold overseas. The painter loves it, Guthridge said of the white, narrow and tall vehicle.
Guthridge plans to replace more of his fleet but admits that the Cash Allowance Rebate System — commonly called Cash for Clunkers — was what got him thinking about trading in the Aerostar.
"I wouldn't have done it without that," he said. "Geez, it saved us $4,500 plus now we're seeing the benefits from it."
Read the complete story at kansas.com
