Sales of cars, trucks and SUVs climbed steadily from a 27-year low in 2009. In January of that year, the seasonally adjusted annualized (SAAR) rate was 9,600,000. The August 2009 uptick occurred because of the U.S. federal Car Allowance Rebate System, or "cash for clunkers" that Congress approved that gave car owners cash to trade in their used cars for new more fuel efficient vehicles.
