Print

C.A.R.S. Act (Cash for Clunkers)

 
Call Us At (800) 737-0232 For Immediate Assistance!

President Obama signed into law a program called the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), more commonly known as "Cash for Clunkers" or "Cash for Guzzlers". This is a government program that provides you with an incentive up to $4,500 to help you purchase a new, more fuel efficient vehicle when you trade in a less fuel efficient vehicle. The program is expected to begin around July 23, 2009.

Pat Milliken Ford is here to assist consumers in Metro Detroit with the Cash for Clunkers program.

Please call us at (800) 737-0232 or click here to e-mail us with any questions related to Cash for Clunkers.  Already have a salesperson?  View our staff and contact your salesperson directly.

The following Ford vehicles qualify under the Cash for Clunkers program:

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is C.A.R.S. - Cars Allowance Rebate System (also knows as Cash for Clunkers)?
Cash for Clunkers is a Government sponsored program to assist customers in trading in a qualifying vehicle for a new, fuel-efficient vehicle. Customers receive a $3,500 or $4,500 C.A.R.S. incentive from the government on top of all other incentives in exchange for their vehicle.

How will the program work?
Used vehicles with a combined fuel economy rating of 18 mpg or less may qualify for a government incentive of $3,500 or $4,500. The incentive must be used to offset the purchase price of a qualifying new vehicle.  See below for special rules relating to larger vans and trucks.

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 you trade it in
  • Have a "new" combined city/highway fuel economy of 18 miles per gallon or less
  • Be in drivable condition
  • Be continuously insured and registered to the same owner for the full year preceding the trade-in
  • Note that for some transactions, work trucks (i.e., very large pickup trucks and cargo vans) only qualify if they are 2001MY or earlier.

How do I determine the amount I will receive?
Find the new vehicle you are looking to purchase on the chart below (as compared to your trade-in vehicle) to determine what voucher you will qualify for:
  Passenger Car
 Light-Duty Truck
 Large Light-Duty Truck (6,000 - 8,500 GVW)
 Work Truck
(8,500 - 10,000 GVW)
 Minimum Fuel Economy for New Vehicle (EPA combined)
 22 MPG
 18 MPG
 15 MPG
 Not applicable
 To qualify for a $3,500 voucher
At least 4 MPG more than the trade-in vehicle
At least 2 MPG more than the trade-in vehicle
At least 1 MPG more than the trade-in vehicle or trade-in of a work truck
Trade-in must be 2001 model year or older work truck
 To qualify for a $4,500 voucher
At least 10 MPG more than the trade-in vehicle
At least 5 MPG more than the trade-in vehicle
 At least 2 MPG more than the trade-in vehicle
 Not applicable

How do I find out when my vehicle was manufactured?
The month and year of manufacture (e.g., 1-96 (January 1996)) 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 the fuel economy rating of my current vehicle?
Visit www.fueleconomy.gov and choose the year, make and model to find out the combined fuel economy rating of your current vehicle.

How do I find out if my vehicle qualifies?
Visit www.letfordrecycleyourride.com to find out more about the program, determine if your vehicle qualifies for the program and view Ford vehicles that are eligible to receive a C.A.R.S. incentive, in addition to existing incentives that customers may qualify to receive. There are 14 vehicles in the Ford lineup that qualify for this program, with C.A.R.S. incentive of up to $4,500 toward the purchase of a new vehicle.

Do I need to get a C.A.R.S. voucher 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. Pat Milliken Ford will apply a credit, reducing the price you pay at the time of your purchase, provided the vehicle you buy and the vehicle you trade in meet the program requirements. Pat Milliken Ford will then obtain reimbursement from the government.

How many eligible vehicles does Ford have as part of this program?
There are 14 vehicles in the Ford lineup that qualify for this program, with C.A.R.S. incentives of up to $4,500 toward the purchase of a new vehicle.

How many C.A.R.S. 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 1 2009, whichever comes first.

Am I limited to what new vehicle I can purchase?
Yes.
  • First, for most transactions, the EPA combined city/highway fuel economy of the vehicle you purchase must be higher (by specified amount) than that of the 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' suggested retail price for the new vehicle can not exceed $45,000.
  • Third, the program requires that the new vehicle meets certain MPG requirements. Ford offers 14 vehicles* that will qualify for this program (Focus, Fusion, Taurus, Ranger, Edge, Escape, Flex, Taurus X, Transit Connect, Fusion Hybrid, Escape Hybrid).
  • 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.

What do consumers need to do to claim and redeem their C.A.R.S. incentive?
Pat Milliken Ford will be able to seamlessly handle this program for our customers. We will take a customer's qualifying vehicle as a trade in and deduct the C.A.R.S. incentive amount from the purchase price of the new vehicle. We will also handle all of the paperwork and will apply for the C.A.R.S. incentive on the customer's behalf.

In addition to the C.A.R.S. incentive, will I get the full value of my trade-in vehicle?
No. The law requires your trade-in vehicle to be destroyed. Therefore, the value you receive for your trade-in vehicle will not exceed its scrap value.

How can I reserve an C.A.R.S. incentive?
This C.A.R.S. incentive program can not be reserved; they are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  If you are interested in taking advantage of the C.A.R.S. incentive, please contact us. We will let you know as soon as the program begins (the Department of Transportation is expected to release final rules by the end of July).

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 of 6,000 - 8,500 lbs, you can purchase an F-150 and receive $3,500 for 1 mpg improvement for the same class of trade-in or $4,500 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 MPG.
  • 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 $3,500 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 its 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 criteria for an eligible unit must also be met 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 C.A.R.S. incentives claims can I make?
The program limits the number of C.A.R.S. incentives to one per customer, including joint registered owners of a single eligible trade-in vehicle.

Can I apply more than one C.A.R.S. incentive claim to the same new vehicle sale?
No, only one C.A.R.S. incentive can be used on each sale.

Can I combine this C.A.R.S. incentive with other Manufacturer rebates or incentives?
Yes, you can use this C.A.R.S. incentive with all manufacturer 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 the 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, but the lease period for the new vehicle must be at least five years (60 months).

Do I have to pay taxes on the amount of the C.A.R.S. incentive?
No, this incentive is not taxed.

Is there an income limit that disqualifies certain vehicle owners?
No, there is no income limit for this program.


Again, please call us at (800) 737-0232 or click here to e-mail us with any questions related to Cash for Clunkers.  Already have a salesperson at Pat Milliken Ford?  View our staff and contact your salesperson directly.