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Democrat senators seek Republican votes for car rebate

Facing a White House deadline, Senate Democrats are struggling to win over enough reluctant Republicans to pass a US$2 billion extension of a popular rebate program that gives consumers up to US$4,500 to trade in their old gas guzzlers for more fuel-­efficient vehicles.

Senate discussions were expected to continue yesterday after the administration of US President Barack Obama and backers of the “cash for clunkers” program picked up support from three lawmakers who wanted the program limited to the purchase of even more fuel-efficient vehicles. Data released by the administration showed the new vehicles purchased under the program were 61 percent more fuel efficient than the trade-ins.

The fuel efficiency gains helped sway Democratic senators Dianne Feinstein and Chuck Schumer, and Republican Susan Collins, who had complained that smaller rebates of US$3,500 were going to people buying new cars that get as little as 6.4km more per gallon than their trade-ins.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, a former Republican congressman, said some 80 percent of the traded-in vehicles are pickups or sport utility vehicles, meaning many gas-guzzlers are being taken off the road.

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