DOT 122-09
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Contact: Sasha Johnson
Tel.: (202) 366-4570

Car Allowance Rebate System Announcement

In response to overwhelming interest in the Cash for Clunkers program, the Department of Transportation today clarified that consumers who want to purchase new vehicles not yet on dealer lots can still be eligible for the CARS program. Dealers and consumers who have reached a valid purchase and sale agreement on a vehicle already in the production pipeline will be able to work with the manufacturer to receive the documentation needed to qualify for the program.

“The Department of Transportation is trying to make sure that everyone who wants to can participate in this wildly successful program,” explained U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Allowing consumers to order vehicles and qualify for the rebate will expand buyers’ choices and keep production lines running.”

If consumers want to order a vehicle under the CARS program the dealer must obtain the Vehicle Identification Number from the manufacturer before submitting a transaction at CARS.gov. The dealer must have all required documentation for the trade-in vehicle in order for the rebate request to be considered.

As of today 338,659 dealer transactions have been submitted totaling $1.4 billion.

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