Cash for Clunkers Program | ABC30 Fresno | abc30.com

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By ABC30

Monday, July 27, 2009

Fresno, CA The program's official kickoff is in Washington D.C. Monday, but many dealerships around the Valley started offering "cash for clunkers" last week and they say it's been a win-win situation so far!

Cindy Wasserman heard about the "cash for clunkers" program and decided it was finally time to get rid of her son's old car.

The $1-billion dollar federal "Car Allowance Rebate System," commonly known as "C.A.R.S." or "cash for clunkers" is driving in more customers to car dealerships like Future Ford in Clovis.

Future Ford began offering the deal before the today's official start date. "We've delivered 17 new vehicles under this program," said General Manager James Cagle.

And they've taken in 17 mostly gas guzzling clunkers.

The dealership handles the paperwork and applies your rebate as a credit on the sale. That is if your vehicle meets the criteria needed to get a rebate.

Under the car allowance rebate system, the rebates run between $3,500 and $4,500 dollars and apply only to cars less than 25-years-old with current registration and in running condition with a combined gas mileage of 18-miles or less per gallon.

The new car can be any kind, foreign or domestic, but has to get at least 22-miles per gallon and can't cost more than $45,000 dollars.

The cash for clunkers program is expected to run until November 1st or until the $1-billion dollars allocated by the government is gone.