Cars Allowance Rebate System

ALL NEW SUZUKI CARS, SUVS AND TRUCKS QUALIFY FOR THE CAR ALLOWANCE REBATE SYSTEM!

There will NEVER be a better time to buy a new Suzuki than this summer! Washington’s CARS bill (Car Allowance Rebate System), designed to get old gas-guzzlers off the road and help clean up the environment, means that in addition to the cash-saving Suzuki incentives of up to $5,750 on qualifying vehicles, you can get up to an additional $4,500 in CARS rebates towards the purchase of a new Suzuki, meaning NEARLY $10,250 IN SAVINGS!3

The CARS (Cars Allowance Rebate System) program allows a consumer to trade-in an old, fuel-inefficient vehicle and receive a voucher for either $3,500 or $4,500 to help pay for a new, more fuel efficient car or truck. The program runs from July 1 – October 31, 2009. Congress has provided $1 billion for the program, a sufficient amount for approximately 250,000 vehicles. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has 30 days following enactment to issue detailed regulations for the program.

The basic requirements for passenger cars and light-duty trucks are listed in the chart below. Miles per gallon figures used are combined EPA “window sticker” values. The mpg figures are on EPA’s website at www.fueleconomy.gov. The correct number is listed as “Estimated New EPA mpg.” DOT will establish a new website listing all eligible trade-in vehicles, eligible new vehicles, as well as participating auto dealers and recyclers

 

 

FAQs: CARS

1. What is the goal of the CARS program? The CARS program provides incentives to owners of older, less fuel-efficient vehicles to trade them in and purchase new, more fuel-efficient ones. The program will benefit American consumers, stimulate showroom traffic and auto sales, and help to reduce fuel use and vehicle emissions. New vehicles are cleaner, more fuel efficient and have many safety technologies not available on older ones.
   
   
2. How does the CARS program work? An owner of a passenger car, minivan, SUV, or pick-up truck that gets an EPA combined 18 mpg or less can trade it in for a government electronic voucher good toward the purchase of a new vehicle. The amount of the voucher is either $3,500 or $4,500, depending on the mpg improvement of the new vehicle over the one it replaces. The mpg improvement required for the $4,500 voucher is substantially easier to achieve for vehicles classified as “trucks” (including SUVs, minivans and pickup trucks) than for passenger cars.
   
   
3. What is the current status of the CARS legislation? As of June 18, 2009, the legislation has passed both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. President Obama supports the program and will sign it into law within days.
   
   
4. What older vehicles are eligible for the program? The vehicle being traded in must be manufactured less than 25 years before the date of the trade-in. Antique car collectors and hobbyists asked that vehicles more than 25 years old be ineligible. Most importantly, the trade-in vehicle must have a combined (city/hwy.) fuel economy rating of 18 mpg or less.
   
   
5. Are there other restrictions, such as length of ownership? The trade-in vehicle must be in drivable condition and have been continuously insured and registered to the same owner for at least one year immediately prior to the trade-in.
   
   
6. How can dealers and customers tell if a vehicle is eligible for trade-in under the program? NHTSA will launch its CARS website on June 19 at www.cars.gov. At first, it will have minimal information, but eventually, there will be additional consumer information and dealer portals. In the meantime, dealers and consumers can check the combined fuel economy ratings of older vehicles on www.fueleconomy.gov to see if they qualify. Click on “Compare Side by Side” and select a model year and vehicle make to find the Combined EPA label figures for a given model. The correct mpg number is the one listed as “Estimated New EPA mpg.”
   
   
7. Does the consumer get the trade-in value of the vehicle in addition to the government voucher? No. The voucher value is in lieu of the trade-in value. Consumers should choose whichever option benefits them the most.
   
   
8. Is there a price cap on the vehicles eligible for purchase with the electronic voucher? Yes, the price cap on the vehicle is $45,000 (MSRP).
   
   
9. Is the value of the voucher tax-free to the consumer? Yes.
   
   
10.  Is there an income limit that disqualifies certain vehicle owners? No.
    
    
11.  What are the fuel economy requirements for the new vehicle?
    For Passenger Cars:
    At least 22 mpg (combined)
    4-9 mpg improvement over trade-in vehicle, $3,500
    AND
    At least 10 mpg improvement over trade-in vehicle, $4,500
    For SUVs, Minivans and Light-Duty Trucks (< 6,000 lbs.):
    At least 18 mpg (combined)
    2-4 mpg improvement over trade-in vehicle, $3,500
    AND
    At least 5 mpg improvement over trade-in vehicle, $4,500
    
    
12.  May the voucher be used as the down payment? Yes.
    
    
13.  When will the program start? The legislation states that the program begins July 1, 2009 July 1, the government has informed us they will not be prepared to reimburse dealers on July 1. It is unclear when they will be able to accept claims, but likely by the end of July, if not earlier. . However, once the new law is signed by the President, a 30-day period is provided for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to implement the program. .
    
    
14.  How long will the program last? The program will be in effect through October 31, 2009 or until the initial $1 billion in federal funding for the vouchers runs out, whichever occurs earlier. It is uncertain whether Congress will approve additional funding to extend the program beyond October 31.
    
    
15.  How many vehicles will be sold under the program? The original goal was to trade-in one million older, less fuel-efficient vehicles and replace them with new, more fuel-efficient ones. However, the $1 billion in initial funding provided by Congress will cover about 250,000 vehicles.
    
    
16.  Are lease vehicles included in the program? Vehicles may be leased using the voucher, but only if the lease term is 5 years or longer.
    
    
17.  Can a customer trade-in two clunkers and combine two vouchers towards the purchase of a new car or truck? No. Only one voucher may be applied toward the purchase of a single vehicle.
    
    
18.  Can an individual obtain more than one voucher? No, each individual and each trade-in vehicle is eligible for only one voucher.
    
    
19.  Is there any limit on how many vouchers a given dealer can process during the program? No.
    
    
20. Which Suzuki vehicles are qualify under this program?
    All 2009 Suzuki models qualify2, including:
    • SX4 Sedan
    • SX4 Sedan LE
    • SX4 Sedan LE with Convenience Package
    • SX4 Sport
    • SX4 Sport with Technology Package
    • SX4 Sport with Touring Package
    • SX4 Crossover
    • SX4 Crossover with Technology Package
    • SX4 Crossover with Touring Package
    • Grand Vitara
    • Grand Vitara Premium
    • Grand Vitara XSport
    • Grand Vitara Luxury
    • XL7 Premium
    • XL7 Luxury
    • XL7 Limited
    • Equator Extended Cab
    • Equator Extended Cab w/ Comfort Package
    • Equator Extended Cab Premium
    • Equator Extended Cab Sport
    • Equator Crew Cab Sport
    • Equator Crew Cab Sport w/ Value Package
    • Equator Crew Cab RMZ-4
    • Equator Crew Cab RMZ-4 Sport Package