Even though last summer's Cash for Clunkers program was rated a success by some, a new report obtained by the Associated Press says the economy might not have fared as well as hoped under "Clunkers."

Wednesday, the AP dug up Federal numbers that showed many of the trades didn't increase fuel efficiency all that much. Many of those trading in gas-guzzlers opted for similar (but brand new) petroleum chuggers that got only a few more miles to the gallon than the clunker.

The Federal data showed the Clunker most often traded in was the Ford 150 pick-up truck. But more than 8,000 of those sent to the scrap pile were replaced with a brand new pick-up truck, netting the consumer the incentive of $3,500 to $4,500 to up their fuel efficiency by no more than three miles at best.

If you're kicking around buying new tires, you'd better make up your mind quickly. That's because if you wait too long -- until January -- it can wind up costing you quite a bit extra.

A new 35% tariff on Chinese-made car and light truck tires being imposed by the Obama administration is forcing wholesalers to raise prices on tires sold to retailers, who are sure to pass that "extra" onto consumers. How much extra?

Some say even the most affordable tire will cost about $50 more. Brand name ones are expected to jump as much as $80 per tire.

• How you describe the car in the ad.
• What you need to include -- and exclude -- from the pictures of your car.
• Research the prices of similar cars.

Whether you cashed in on last summer's Cash for Clunkers program or not, you paid for a new car.

According to research from Edmunds.com, taxpayers paid an average $24,000 per clunker in buying a new car. And they did so on sales Edmunds.com says would have occurred even if the $3 billion clunker program never existed.

The program, which gave buyers up to $4,500 in incentives to trade in their gas guzzlers for less thirsty vehicles, was supposed to spur sales and boost the economy.

It's no secret insurance companies and banks have the ears of politicians. But who knew car dealers, and their lobbyists, were so powerful?

On Oct/ 22, the House Financial Services Committee approved an amendment (the vote was 47 to 21) to keep automobile dealers under federal and state laws governing vehicle financing. The vote also granted dealers exemption from a new government consumer protection agency heavily lobbied for by the White House.

Rep. John Campbell R-California, sponsored the amendment to the Consumers Financial Protection Agency Act that will hold dealers harmless from scrutiny of the proposed CFPA .

On Oct. 22, Indian auto manufacturer, Reva Electric Car Co. announced plans to open a factory to build a new generation of electric cars in North America. The plant will be in upstate New York. The announcement comes as good news, since the area has seen a rash of companies moving out of the area in recent years.

Reva will partner with Bannon Automotive, a new company also located in New York, to manufacture the 3-door plug-in hatchback called the NXR.

But New York Senator Charles Schummer cautions to keep the bubbly on ice a bit longer. A total of $52 million from the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture has yet to show up. Once it comes through, he says the warehouse, located in Clay, N.Y., will be all set to go.

The automaker chose the area over Michigan because of its strong manufacturing workforce and a $6.76 million incentive package. The plant will create 100 full-time jobs in the first year, and 250 within the first three years, giving the area a much needed economic boost. The first cars are expected to roll off the assembly line in July or August 2010.