Today is the day that the Goverment launches the Cash For Clunkers program. This incentive initiative gives consumers up to $4,500.00 credit on the purchase of a new, more fuel efficient vehicle for trading in their old ‘clunker.’ In order to qualify for the credit, the vehicle being traded in must get 18 miles or less to the gallon and be less than 25 years old.

On top of the Cash For Clunkers program, many dealerships are also offering deep discounts in the way of rebates and other incentives to move inventory off of their lots.

If you want to take advantage of this opportunity to save some money and upgrade your vehicle, you better act fast. This program runs through November 1, 2009 or until the funds that have been allotted to the program run out…whichever comes first.

“We are seeing signs of increased production with our customers in North America. It’s still an extremely slow market, however … we’re looking forward to the future,” said Kathryn Blackwell, who is the spokeswoman for Continental AG’s North American tire headquarters in Fort Mill, S.C.

Even though the number of people buying cars is still low, the fact that folks are maintaining older vehicles could represent an uptick in parts sales.

Continental is hiring more than 300 workers, which will double the number of workers at the plant.

All told, Continental AG employs 133,000 workers in 33 countries.

One thing is certain, car sales jobs are always in demand, especially if the skills needed to sell cars are present. Any car salesman who knows their business will always get a rewarding job in the automotive industry. Salesman remain in demand because the auto industry depends on increasing sales for their continued growth. Sales jobs may or not pay a base salary but can end up being largely dependent on commissions. For people who rely on steady income, this could end up being a major drawback.

In today’s world, brand awareness and technological know how is very crucial when it comes to car salesman’s jobs. In most cases, an individual who starts his career as a car mechanic can end up being a good car salesman. Finding a job in the automotive industry as a car mechanic can make you a good car salesman. For the car dealers who wish to hire a new car salesman, the internet provides all information and websites where you can be able to research and select the best salesmen that you would like to deal with.

Finding a close by car job is also easier though, sometimes finding a career in automotive industry can also be a great opportunity for an individual to renew a sense of adventure, experience and challenge. For example, the Canadian automotive industry is very big and is capable of supplying car salesmen with astonishing perspectives from any art of the world. Here, a car salesman job in an automotive industry can be found in Canada’s two largest provinces. Car dealers who are seeking for a good car sales man in these two provinces find that there are many applicants rewarded on that particular field.

A good car salesman is able to get a better and a good job in the automotive industry most likely if he is experienced, highly motivated and mobile. When his needs are met accordingly, he will be then able to perform well in this industry. The automotive companies are very competitive and therefore even having a job in the automotive industry is highly competitive. A car salesman who is conscious will not hesitate to search for a better and a long lasting car salesman’s job.

Most of the car dealers spend their time looking for good car salesmen therefore, they are often ready to negotiate best commission, revenue and bonus packages which are based on the client satisfaction levels and trade volume of a car salesman. The motor trade employers and recruitment agencies may advertise the vacancies for the automotive jobs online; therefore it is easy to apply online using the online advertising partners after registration.

The candidate can easily apply for the job directly to the car dealer, automotive recruitment agency or to the automotive employer. After registration, an individual is able to receive the job alerts through e-mail or by use of advanced job search facility.

Rattner has a tough job, but he seems willing to give it his best effort.

“In the fall, as the economic crisis intensified, it became clearer and clearer to me that this was a moment of historic importance,” Mr. Rattner said, “and if one was ever to have an interest in serving your country in the area of economic policy, this was the moment.”

Honda fared no better than Toyota. The announced last month sales of 190,680 vehicles. That’s a decline of 43 percent from 2008.

Tighter credit is cutting demand and it’s being felt by Japan’s two largest auto manufacturers, as it is by car companies worldwide. Consumers aren’t getting approved for auto loans like they used to in the past, and they don’t have the money to buy cars using lump sum payments.

Both Toyota and Honda have announced a more aggressive entry into the hybrid vehicles, one segment that still appears to be growing. But that’s no guarantee of success.

Honda tamped down production by 48% last month due to the decline in sales revenue.

Toyota reduced its domestic production by 63% last month. They’re expecting to announce their worst operating loss in company history.

The global market for ultra-cheap automobiles is expected to increase by an annual average of 24 percent to reach 14 million units in 2020, while the compact car market grows to 38million units, 2.5 times the 2007 market, according to the Korea Automotive Research Institute, based on data from international consultancies, AT Kearney and Boston Consulting.

The analysis forecasts the ratio of new gasoline-powered cars will fall from 80 percent in 2007 to 40 percent in 2020. Meanwhile, the ratio of hybrid cars, which enhance fuel efficiency through the mixed use of gasoline engines and electric motors, is likely to rise 19 percent in Europe, 18 percent in the Americas, and 15 percent in Asia. According to AT Kearney, the automakers of emerging markets, including China, India and Russia, are expected to expand their market share from a meager nine percent in 2006 to 32 percent in 2020.

Hybrid vehicle sales remain one bright spot in an otherwise dreary time for auto sales. Customers want smaller cars that are more affordable and that is becoming more obvious by the day.

Honda Motor (nyse: HMC – news – people ) looks on course to post an operating loss in the second half to the tune of at least 120.0 billion yen ($1.4 billion), on the severe demand slump and surge in the value of the yen. This would be the company’s first half-year operating loss in over a decade. Japanese automakers are scrutinizing all their pipeline investments for possible delays or cancellation, slashing output and jobs, and looking to wrangle price cuts from steelmakers and other suppliers.

The company also stated they don’t see a recovery coming any time soon.

The major forces driving sentiment down for Honda is the same thing being experienced by all major auto makers: declines in the huge US and European markets.

“An abrupt bankruptcy for autos could be devastating for the economy,” Bush said. “We’re now in the process of working with the stakeholders on a way forward. We’re not quite ready to announce that yet.”

Right now, any proposal by the Bush Administration is lacking details.

In related news, GM announced their idling three plants in Mexico until January.

The auto maker’s plants in San Luis Potosi and Ramon Arizpe will stop from Dec. 22 to Jan. 4, while its plant in Silao will close from Dec. 22 until Jan. 7, General Motors de Mexico said in a press release.

The company said the idling was necessary for plant improvements.

The Jeep Liberty.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received 22 complaints of the upper ball joint separating on either of the front wheels. This can lead to the collapse of the front wheel, making it very dangerous for the driver, passengers and other motorists.

The investigation affects about 300,000 Liberty 4X4 SUV’s manufactured in 2002 and 2003.

Consumers reported the upper ball joint separating at speeds under 20 miles per hour to speeds of 75 MPH.

Other recalls by Jeep include 800,000 Jeep Liberty (model years 2002- 2006) that needed repairs to the front suspension lower ball joint. In 2003 Jeep recalled 300,000 Liberty SUV’s for problems with the
lower ball joint.

If you drive a Jeep Liberty 4X4 SUV, you might want to contact your dealer to make sure that your auto isn’t affected.

That was back in the mid 1980’s when gas could still be found for under a dollar a gallon and you were only required to drive for 8 hours before getting a driver’s license.

Fast forward 22 years and Grandpa’s “quarter a mile” rule has been more than doubled to over .54 cents a mile. John Nielsen, director of AAA’s Approved Auto Repair network said “While the cost of some driving expenses declined since the start of 2007, higher gasoline prices have more than offset these savings and pushed the overall cost of vehicle ownership and operation higher this year.”

To get a copy of the “Your Driving Costs” brochure by AAA, please visit AAA Exchange.