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"Cash for Clunkers" AKA Car Allowance Rebate System
“Cash for Clunkers” F.A.Q.’s & Info
What is “Cash for Clunkers”?
Cash for Clunkers is a Government sponsored program to assist customers in trading in a program qualifying vehicles for a new, fuel-efficient vehicle. Customers receive a $3500 or $4500 incentive from the Government on top of all the other incentives in exchange for their vehicle.
What vehicles qualify for this program?
The trade in vehicle must meet the following criteria:
- have been manufactured less than 25 years before the date of trade in
- have a “new” combined city/highway fuel economy of 18 mpg’s per gallon or less
- be in drivable condition
- be continuously insured and registered to the same owner for the full year proceeding the trade-in
Note that for some transactions, work truck (i.e. very large pickup trucks and cargo vans) only qualify if they are 2001 model year or earlier.
How do I find out when my vehicle was manufactured?
The month and year of manufacture appear on the safety standard certification label that is located on the frame or edge of the driver’s door in most vehicles.
How do I find out if my vehicle qualifies?
Beginning Thursday July 1st, customers can visit www.fordcountrylv.com to find out more about the program, determine if their vehicle qualifies for the program and view Ford vehicles that are eligible to receive the incentive, in addition to existing incentives that customers may qualify to receive. Lease are owned by the customers leasing company and therefore do not qualify. There are 12 vehicles in the Ford lineup that qualify for this program.
Do I need to get a C.A.R.S. incentive or sign up for this program?
No. You do not need an actual voucher and you are not required to sign up or enroll in this program. Ford Country will apply a credit, reducing the price you pay at the time of purchase or lease, provided you buy or lease and the vehicle you trade in meets the requirements.
How many incentives are available?
The government has approved funding for $1 billion under this program and the program will end when the budget has been exhausted or by November 1st 2009, whichever comes first.
When will this program take effect?
The U.S. Department of Transportation has 30 days from the date the President signs the bill to finale the complete program rules and initiate the program.
Yes. First, for most transactions, the EPA combined city/highway fuel economy of the vehicle you purchase must be higher (by a specific amount) than that of t he vehicle you are trading in. The amount of the difference that is required depends on the specific types of vehicles involved in the transaction.
Second, the manufacturers suggest retail price for the new vehicle cannot exceed $45,000.
In addition, F-150, Super Duty and E-series will qualify under certain conditions if the vehicle being traded in is a truck of comparable size, as defined in the legislation.
*Note not all powertrain combinations will qualify and select trim series may have an MSRP above $45,000
In addition to the incentive, will I get the full value of my trade in vehicle?
NO. The law requires your trade in to be destroyed. Therefore, the value you negotiate for your trade in vehicle is not likely to exceed its scrap value. The law requires the dealer to disclose to the customer an estimate of the scrap value of your trade in vehicle.
What incentive do I qualify for?
If a consumer trades in an eligible vehicle and purchases or leases a qualifying passenger vehicle with a new vehicle’s combined city/highway fuel economy rating is at least 4 miles per gallon higher, the incentive amount the customer qualifies for is $3,500. If a consumer trades in an eligible vehicle and purchases or leases a qualifying passenger vehicle with a new vehicle’s combined city/highway fuel economy rating is at least 10 miles per gallon higher, the incentive amount the customer qualifies for is $4,500. Easy breakdown:
Customer trades qualifying trade in & purchases:
Passenger Vehicle -
MPG improvement of +4 = $3500
MPG improvement of +10 = $4500
Passenger vehicles include the following – All Focus, Fusion FWD (non 3.5L), Fusion Hybrid FWD, 2010 Taurus (non SST)
Regular Truck –
MPG improvement of +2 = $3500
MPG improvement of +5 = $4500
“Regular Trucks include the following – Edge FWD & AWD, Escape FWD & AWD, Escape Hybrid FWD & AWD, Flex FWD & AWD, Ranger 4x2 2.3L & 4.0L, Transit Connect
F-150’s
MPG improvement of +1 = $3500
MPG improvement of +2 = $4500
Most F-150’s qualify, MSRP must be under $45,000
Super Duties
Qualify for $3500 if customer must trade 2001 of older over 8500 GVWR
The following vehicles DO NOT QUALIFY – Expeditions, Explorer Sport Tracs, Mustangs, 2009 Taurus’, Explorers, Fusion 3.5L’s, Fusion AWD, Ranger 4x4’s
What do customers need to do to claim and redeem their incentive?
Ford Country will be able to seamlessly handle this program for customers. We will take the customer’s qualifying vehicle as a trade in and deduct the incentive amount from the purchase price of the new vehicle. Ford Country will handle all of the paperwork and will apply for the incentive on the customer’s behalf.
How can I reserve the incentive?
This incentive program can not be reserved; they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
What if I want to purchase an F-150, Super Duty or Econoline?
There is a provision for current truck owners to purchase a new F-150, Super Duty or Econoline as outlined below:
If you trade in a truck or van with a gross vehicle weight rating or 6,000 – 8,500 lbs, you can purchase an F-150 and receive $3500 for 1 mpg improvement for the same class of trade in or $4500 for 2 mpg improvement for same class of trade in, as long as the new vehicle’s combined fuel economy rating is at least 15 mpgs.
If you trade in a truck or van with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8.500 – 10,000 lbs that is 2001 model year or older, you can receive $3500 if you purchase a Super Duty or Econoline with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 – 10,000 lbs.
*Note not all powertrain combinations will qualify and select trim series may have an MSRP above $45,000
I have a truck and I cannot find it’s fuel economy rating. Is it an eligible trade in vehicle?
Maybe. Large work trucks do not have an EPA fuel economy number. For these trucks, age is the only criterion for determining whether they are eligible trade in vehicles. If you have one of these trucks, it must be from model year 2001 or earlier. The other criterion for an eligible unit must also be meet in order for the vehicle to be eligible.
I just traded in my old car for a new vehicle last month. Will I get some money back?
No. The program does not apply retroactively.
How many claims can I make?
The program limits the number of incentives to one per customer, including joint registered owners of a single eligible trade in vehicle.
Can I apply more than one incentive to the same new vehicle sale?
NO, only one incentive can be used on each sale.
Can I combine this incentive with other rebates & incentives?
Yes, you can use this incentive with all manufacturers’ rebates that you currently qualify for.
Can I combine this with other government incentives?
Yes. You can combine this with other State and Federal incentives, such as hybrid vehicle credit.
Does the program apply if I want to lease a vehicle, or must I purchase a vehicle.
Under the program, you may purchase a new vehicle or lease a new vehicle, provided the lease period for the new vehicle is at least five years.
Do I have to pay taxes on the amount of the incentive?
No, this incentive is not taxed.
No, there is no income limit for this program.
