What is the Cash for Clunkers program?
Cash for Clunkers is a government-sponsored program to help customers trade in a program-qualifying vehicle for a new, fuel-efficient vehicle. Customers receive a $3,500 or $4,500 rebate from the government, on top of all 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 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: For some transactions, work trucks (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, such as 1-96 (January 1996), appear on the safety standard certification label on the frame or edge of the driver’s door in most vehicles.
How do I find out if my vehicle qualifies?
There are three ways to determine if your trade-in vehicle qualifies:
• Use the Qualification Calculator on our homepage.
• You can call 1-800-392-FORD(3673), or
• Visit your local participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer
There are 20 vehicles in the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup that qualify for this program, with vouchers of up to $4,500 toward the purchase of a new vehicle.
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 depends on the specific types of vehicles involved in the transaction. Second, the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of the new vehicle cannot exceed $45,000. Third, the program requires that the new vehicle meet certain mpg requirements.
Ford, Lincoln and Mercury offer 20 vehicles* that qualify for this program:
Ford: Focus, Fusion, Taurus, Ranger, Edge, Escape, Flex, Taurus X, Transit Connect, Fusion Hybrid, Escape Hybrid.
Mercury: Milan, Mariner, Milan Hybrid, Mariner Hybrid.
Lincoln: MKX, MKT.
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. Go to ford.com and select your current vehicle to see specific Cash for Clunkers rebates you may be eligible for.
Note: Not all powertrain combinations will qualify, and select trim series may have an MSRP above $45,000.
Do I need to get a Cash for Clunkers rebate or sign up for this program?
No. You do not need an actual Cash for Clunkers rebate and you are not required to sign up or enroll in this program. Participating Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealers will apply a credit, reducing the price you pay at the time of your purchase or lease, provided the vehicle you buy or lease and the vehicle you trade in meet the program requirements. Your dealer will be reimbursed by the government.
How many eligible vehicles does Ford have as part of this program?
There are 20 vehicles in the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup that qualify for this program, with Cash for Clunkers rebates of up to $4,500 toward the purchase of a new vehicle.
How many Cash for Clunkers rebates 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 Sunday, November 1, 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 finalize the complete program rules and initiate the program.
Customers can visit ford.com to find the latest information about the start date for the program and other details.
What do consumers need to do to claim and redeem their Cash for Clunkers rebate?
Participating Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Dealers will be able to seamlessly handle this program for consumers. The dealer will take a customer’s qualifying vehicle as a trade-in and deduct the Cash for Clunkers rebate amount from the purchase price of the new vehicle. The dealer will handle all of the paperwork and will apply for the Cash for Clunkers rebate on the customer’s behalf.
How do I trade in my old vehicle?
You must purchase your new vehicle from a participating new-car dealership. The Cash for Clunkers rebate amount will be applied to the new-vehicle purchase price rather than sent to you.
In addition to the Cash for Clunkers rebate, 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 negotiate with the dealer for your trade-in vehicle is not likely to exceed its scrap value. The law requires the dealer to disclose to you an estimate of the scrap value of your trade-in vehicle.
How can I reserve a Cash for Clunkers rebate?
This Cash for Clunkers rebate cannot be reserved; it is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
How do I know what value Cash for Clunkers rebate I qualify for?
There are three ways to determine help you determine this:
• Use the Qualification Calculator on our homepage
• You can call 1-800-392-FORD(3673), or
• Visit your local participating Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer
What if I want to purchase an F-150 or Super Duty®?
There is a provision for current truck owners to purchase a new F-150 or Super Duty, as outlined below: if you own a truck or van with a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,000 to 8,500 lbs., you can buy 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 the same class of trade-in, as long as the new vehicle’s combined fuel economy rating is at least 15 mpg. If you own a truck or van with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 to 10,000 lbs. and that is a 2001 model year or older, you can receive $3,500 if you purchase a Super Duty with a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,500 to 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.
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 Cash for Clunkers rebates can I receive?
The program limits the number of Cash for Clunkers rebates to one per customer, including joint registered owners of a single eligible trade-in vehicle.
Can I apply more than one Cash for Clunkers rebate claim to the same new-vehicle sale?
No, only one Cash for Clunkers rebate can be used on each sale.
Where can I get more information?
You can use this site to find out all the basic information and use our convenient Qualification Calculator to find out if your vehicle qualifies for the program and view Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles that are eligible to receive a Cash for Clunkers incentive. In addition, the government has set up cars.gov as its Web site for additional information. You may also visit ford.com for more information.
There are 20 vehicles in the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup that qualify for this program, with Cash for Clunkers rebates of up to $4,500 toward the purchase of a new vehicle.*
Can I combine this Cash for Clunkers rebate with other manufacturer rebates or incentives?
Yes, you can use this Cash for Clunkers rebate with all manufacturer rebates that you 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 tax credit.
How do I know if a dealer is participating in the program?
The law requires dealers to be registered to participate in the program. The government is moving as quickly as possible to register interested dealers. As dealers are registered, the government will list them on the cars.gov Web site, and will continue to update this list during the life of the program. Meanwhile, you may contact dealers in your area to ask whether they plan to participate in the program.
Does the program apply if I want to lease a vehicle or must I purchase a vehicle?
Under the program, you may purchase or lease a new vehicle, provided the lease period for the new vehicle is at least five years.
The Cash for Clunkers rebate is not subject to federal taxes. State or local taxes may apply. See dealer for details
Source : http://www.cashforclunkers.ford.com/FAQ.aspx
