Shanghai starts giving national 'cash for clunkers'

Shanghai, August 11 (Gasgoo.com) Shanghai authorities yesterday began to deal with applications from car owners who trade in their outdated or heavily polluting vehicles for the national subsidies, Shanghai Daily reported.

The local car owner to replace any of these cars will get vehicle subsidies offered by the central government, ranging from 3,000 yuan ($439) to 6,000 yuan, said Shanghai Commission of Commerce.

Car owners who trade in their used minivans, medium- and small-sized trucks and other mid-sized passenger cars for new ones from June 1 to May 31 next year will get the subsidies.

The national rebates will also be given to consumers who sell vehicles that no longer meet the government emission standards but are still within the lifespan period.

The move was part of the central government's 5-billion-yuan subsidies for auto replacement announced earlier this year. The program is expected to promote environment-friendly models and spur domestic auto market demand.

The subsidies will work together with similar incentives of 3,000-7,500 yuan offered by the city government starting from June 1. The combined subsidy may come to 13,500 yuan if an old model is replaced with a new one.