Obama Approves "Car Allowance Rebate System" (CARS) Law

June 24, 2009

Thanks to Suzuki for sending us the most recent news on the highly anticipated Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), formerly referred to as the "Cash for Clunkers" initiative signed into law by President Obama today.

The new CARS law allows consumers to receive up to a $4,500 voucher to trade in their old gas guzzlers for a more fuel-efficient new vehicle. Qualifying vehicles are considered passenger cars, mini vans, SUVs and small light-duty trucks that get less than 18 mpg, and large light-duty trucks that get less than 15 mpg city/highway combined. For passenger cars, if the new vehicle is at least four mpg more fuel efficient than the old vehicle, consumers will receive a $3,500 voucher toward a new vehicle. If the new vehicle is at least 10 mpg more fuel efficient than the old vehicle, the voucher is good for $4,500.

"We applaud President Obama on signing this extraordinary bill, which will help provide financial relief for Americans across the country and further assist with the economic recovery of the automotive marketplace," said Kevin Saito, president of American Suzuki. "With an added incentive for new car buyers to focus on fuel-efficient vehicles, Suzuki is poised for an increase in dealer traffic thanks to the CARS program. Better yet, we not only offer these people more efficient vehicles, we offer cars, trucks and SUVs that are fun to drive and look great on the road."

With a rich history of producing affordable, fuel-efficient products that fulfill its brand promise of "Travel Light, Live Fully," American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) looks forward to the implementation of new system and reminds consumers that Suzuki offers a full lineup of new vehicles that readily qualify for the CARS initiative.

Are you ready to shop? Then Suzuki would like you to consider the following fuel-efficient vehicles in its lineup:

Beyond its designation as America's most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive vehicle (excluding hybrids and premium-brand lineups), the five-door SX4 Crossover is the lowest priced automobile to offer a fully integrated standard touch-screen navigation system as standard equipment. For current SUV owners looking to trade-in their gas guzzler, the Grand Vitara offers fuel economy comparable to some crossover-type SUVs (up to 26 mpg highway), along with true 4X4 capability, via a two-speed transfer case. Other vehicles that qualify under the CARS program include the fun-to-drive four-door SX4 sedan (and Sport) and four-cylinder version of the all-new Equator pickup truck. In fact, all of Suzuki's 2009 model year automotive sales have come from vehicles that qualify for the CARS program with the requisite trade in.

It appears that pretty much all Suzuki models are eligible for the CARS incentive, including:

All SX4 Crossover models
All SX4 Sedan models
All Grand Vitara models
All XL7 models
All Equator models (4-cyl and 6-cyl)

And as long as Suzuki is boasting about its fuel efficient vehicles, now is also a great time to also share the news reported in a recent JDPower Initial Quality Study declaring Suzuki as the most improved nameplate, having moved from 32nd in 2008 to 9th overall in 2009. The J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study continues to serve as the automotive industry barometer for vehicle quality and is used extensively by manufacturers to assist in the design and manufacture of higher quality and more durable vehicles. That's awesome news for Suzuki!

For more information on obtaining a CARS voucher during your purchase of a new Suzuki vehicle, consumers can visit www.cars.gov or suzukiauto.com/cars.

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