| Sales 800.552.7076 | Service 800.551.4623 | Parts 800.551.3986 |
The CARS Program Frequently Asked Questions
 | What is C.A.R.S?The Car Allowance Rebate System is a new government program that will help you pay for a new, more fuel-efficient car or truck from a participating dealer when you trade in a less fuel-efficient car or truck. |
1. “CARS” Program RulesThe www.cars.gov website is the final authority on all CARS program rules, regulations and requirements.2. What is 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. It will also spark a recovery in the economy.3. 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 pick-up trucks) than for passenger cars.
4. What is the current status of the “CARS” legislation?The President signed it into law Wednesday, June 24.5. 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 (varies by type of vehicle).6. 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.7. How can dealers and customers tell if a vehicle is eligible for trade-in under the program?NHTSA launched its “CARS” website on June 19, 2009 at www.cars.gov. Currently it has minimal information, but eventually there will be additional consumer information and dealers 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.”
8. What Nissan models are eligible for trade-in?Many older Nissan Quests, Frontiers, Titans, Pathfinders, Armadas, and Xterras have combined fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg or less, making them eligible for the program. For specific vehicle questions, visit www.fueleconomy.gov.9. Can any make of vehicle be turned in at a Nissan dealer?For example, can an owner trade-in a Chrysler minivan toward a new Altima or Rogue? Yes. Any make of vehicle can be turned in at any registered Nissan dealer. The applicable voucher amount MUST be applied as a down-payment or partial payment towards a new Nissan vehicle. In order for a Nissan dealer to process the electronic voucher, the customer must purchase an eligible new Nissan vehicle.10. 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.11. Is the value of the voucher tax-free to the customer?Yes.12. Is there an income limit that disqualifies certain vehicle owners?No.
13. When will the program start?The legislation states that the program begins July 1, 2009. However, a 30-day period is provided for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to implement the program. Although dealers can technically begin sales under the program as of July 1, 2009, the government has informed us they will not be prepared to reimburse dealers on July 1, 2009. It is unclear when they will be able to accept claims, but likely by the end of July, if not earlier. It is also unclear if they will honor sales retroactively but the government has promised to clarify this by July 1.14. How long will the program last?The program will be in effect through November 1, 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.15. What specific Nissan models can be purchased with a government voucher?A consumer will qualify for at least $3,500 incentive on the models listed below and in some cases $4,500, depending on the improvement in fuel economy of the new model compared to the vehicle being replaced. The combined fuel economy for the new vehicles can be found on www.fueleconomy.gov. Some of the Nissan Models: • MY09 Cube, 6MT, 26 combined EPA • MY09 Cube, CVT, 29 combined EPA • MY09 Versa, 6MT, 4AT, and CVT, ranging 27 – 30 combined EPA • MY09 Sentra, 6MT and CVT, ranging 24 – 29 combined EPA • MY09 Altima Sedan, 6MT and CVT, ranging 21 – 26 combined EPA • MY09 Altima Sedan HEV, 34 combined EPA • MY09 Maxima CVT, 22 combined EPA • MY09 Quest CVT, 19 combined EPA • MY09 Rogue CVT 2WD or AWD, ranging 23 – 24 combined EPA • MY09 Murano CVT 2WD or AWD, 20 combined EPA • MY09 Frontier 5MT or 5AT 2WD QR25 engine, ranging 19 – 21 combined EPA **Only 2 Frontier models with specific engine code QR25 qualify |
16. 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.17. How does a dealer register to participate in the program?We expect the government to soon begin registering dealers. Nissan dealers who wish to participate are encouraged to sign-up as soon as registration begins to avoid any delays. The requirements for registration are still under development by the DOT. Each individual dealership will need to register separately. Nissan will let you know when registration opens.18. How will consumers find out which Nissan dealers are participating in the program?While we expect most Nissan dealers to participate, it is an opt-in program for dealers. Participating dealers will be listed on the government website once the program is launched.19. How long will it take for dealers to be reimbursed by the government?DOT is required to reimburse dealers via electronic transfer not more than 10 days after the submission of required information supporting the eligible transactions. However, the reimbursement process will not be available on July 1, 2009. Dealers who wish to sell vehicles under the program before the financial reimbursement system is operational should be cautioned that they will experience a delay in reimbursement well beyond 10 days. We would estimate that the system should be operational by the end of July 2009.20. 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.
21. Does the dealer need to arrange for the vehicle to be scrapped?Yes, a participating dealer must transfer the vehicle (especially the engine block) to a participating recycler or dismantler for disposal. A list of eligible disposal entities will be included in the regulations issued by DOT. Dealers will have to certify to the government the transfer of the trade-in vehicle to a participating, government approved disposal entity and submit the VINs of the trade-in and new vehicle purchased.22. What happens to the vehicle once it’s transferred to a dismantler or recycler?The vehicle will be crushed or dismantled and not re-sold as a vehicle to a consumer. The recycler is permitted to sell some parts but must comply with all environmental laws on disposal.23. Is the entire vehicle able to be recycled or must certain parts be crushed?The engine block must be destroyed. All other parts of the vehicle may be recycled with the exception of any harmful or hazardous material from the car (i.e. mercury, antifreeze, or other refrigerants) must be removed prior to crushing or shredding. The drive-train can only be sold if separated into parts. The government will establish the detailed requirements during the 30-day rulemaking.24. Are there other restrictions on dealers?Dealers must use the voucher in addition to any other rebate or discount advertised by the dealer or offered by the manufacturer. The dealer is prohibited from using the voucher to offset any other rebate or discount. The dealer can only keep $50 of the scrap value for its expenses of disposal.
25. Do dealers receive a processing fee for handling the trade-in?Fifty dollars ($50) of the amount paid to the dealer for scrappage of the vehicle is considered an administrative cost to the dealer associated with participating in the program. Further details will be included in the regulations.26. What else does the dealer need to tell the customer?The dealer must disclose to the customer the estimated scrappage value of the vehicle being traded in.27. Can a customer trade-in two clunkers and combine two vouchers towards the purchase of a new Nissan?No. Only one voucher may be applied toward the purchase of a single vehicle.28. Can an individual obtain more than one voucher?No. Each individual and each trade-in vehicle is eligible for only one voucher.29. Is there any limit on how many vouchers a given dealer can process during the program?No.
30. Will the DOT promote the “CARS” program to consumers?Yes. DOT will conduct a public awareness campaign to inform consumers about the program and where to obtain additional information. The government will have a paid media campaign with television, print, radio and Internet components. The print ads will be available to dealers to personalize for their own marketing efforts. According to DOT, ads will be ready mid to late July. |
| 735 W. Showcase Drive South, San Bernardino, CA 92408 | | | Copyright | | | Contact Us | | | Privacy Policy | | | Jazel Auto Dealer Websites |  |
| © 2011 Nissan of San Bernardino |
(800) 552-7076 | | | www.nissanofsb.com | | | Sitemap |