“Cash For Clunkers”

The President recently signed the Cash for Clunkers legislation, which is officially titled the “Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009”.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is charged with creating the rules for the implementation of the program within 30 days of the President’s signature.

NHTSA has named the program Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) and created www.cars.gov for the administration of the program.  The website provides some initial information to consumers regarding the program.

The law requires dealers to be registered to participate in the program; however at this time there isn’t an avenue to register as a participating dealer.  Further, “clunker” transactions completed prior to the publication of the final regulations by NHTSA may not qualify for reimbursement.  Until regulations are promulgated, dealers accepting vehicles under this program do so at their own risk. 

Further, we have been informed that there are websites already up and running, claiming to help dealers and/or consumers with registration for the program.  Please utilize www.cars.gov or the agency hotline: 888-327-4236 as your official source for information regarding this program.

We will provide additional information to our members as soon as it becomes available.