The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched CARS.GOV which stands for Car Allowance Rebate System. The website has been created to keep Americans advised on the new program formerly referred to as  the “Cash for Clunkers”  program.

The official government website for the CARS program is: http://cars.gov . 

This website, www.cashforclunkersfacts.com  is the number one independant consumer blog and forum dedicated to the Cash for Clunkers bill.  We encourage you to particpate in our ”SPEAK UP” forum and to submit photos of your qualified “clunker” before it goes to the scrapyard.

CARS Official Website

The cars.gov website has also published a PDF document outlining the language of the law. The website also has a Q&A section  and additional information which is continually being updated.  In fact, the NHTSA has been updating the Car Allowance Rebate System Website recently with a button called “Submit a Question” and a toll-free consumer hotline.

CARS.GOV Provides Basic Q&A

The current draft of the website dated 7-5-2009 has expanded the questions being answered.  Below is a list of the questions the cars.gov website covers as o 7-5-2009:

• What is the Car Allowance Rebate System?
• What is NHTSA doing to implement the program?
• Do I need to get a voucher or sign up for this program?
• How do I know if a dealer is participating in the program?
• How do I know if my car or truck is an eligible trade-in vehicle?
• How do I find out when my vehicle was manufactured?
• How do I find out the combined city/highway fuel economy rating of my trade-in vehicle?
• Does the program apply if I want to lease a vehicle, or must I purchase a vehicle?
• Is there a cap on the price of the vehicle I can buy or lease under the program?
• Does the program apply if I want to buy a used car?
• What is the amount of the credit?
• In addition to the credit, will I get the full value of my trade-in vehicle?
• I don’t drive an American car but I would like to trade in my old car for a newer, more fuel efficient one. Is this program only for American cars?
• I have a truck and I cannot find its fuel economy rating. Is it an eligible trade-in vehicle?
• I just traded in my old car for a new vehicle last month. Will I get some money back?
• Is the credit subject to being taxed as income to the consumers or dealers that participate in the program?
• How can I find out when my trade in vehicle was manufactured?
• How can I determine the fuel economy of my trade in vehicle?
• What new vehicles may be acquired under the CARS program?
• May I lease, instead of purchase, a vehicle under the CARS program?
• How do I determine whether the vehicle I want to purchase or lease is a passenger automobile or a category 1, 2, or 3 truck?
• What is the value of the credit for the purchase or lease of a new passenger car?
• What is the value of the credit for the purchase or lease of a new van, pickup truck or SUV?
• What rules apply to new work trucks?
• Can I use the credit in combination with manufacturer rebates or discounts?
• Can I combine this credit with other government incentives?
• May I receive or use more than one credit under the CARS program?
• Can dealers charge me a fee for buying or leasing a vehicle under the CARS program?
• What will I need to bring to the dealer in order to participate in the program?
• What happens to the vehicle I trade in?
• How and when will NHTSA provide more details about the CARS program?
• Why is fuel economy important?

Stay Posted with Our Alerts

Please follow us on Twitter or signup for our email alerts.  http://twitter.com/cashclunkers .  The official start of the program will be around july 23, 2009.  The NHTSA has many things to do between today and that date to prepare all new car dealers for the CARS credit and payment system.

Tags: Car Allowance Rebate System