Clunkers Program to Let Buyers Reserve Vehicles

Cash for Clunkers

Washington DC August 14, 2009; The AIADA newsletter reported that car shoppers wanting to use the Cash for Clunkers program who can't find the vehicles they want on dealer's lots will be able to reserve models under a change in the program announced by the Obama administration on Thursday.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the move comes after Michigan lawmakers raised concerns that automakers were running short of popular models that would be hard to replenish before the program ends.

Several automakers have reported shortages of popular models due to demand from the program.

Under the original rules of the program, owners of clunkers who qualified for $3,500 or $4,500 vouchers had to take delivery of a new vehicle from dealers' stock, and only after the sale was complete could dealers file for reimbursements.

In a statement, the U.S. Department of Transportation said yesterday that dealers can reserve a vehicle from an automaker by using a vehicle identification number, and submit that number with the rest of the paperwork to the government.

As of Thursday, 338,659 deals had been entered into the system, with $1.418 billion in vouchers claimed.

Click here to read more about the DOT's decision to allow consumers to reserve models under the Cash for Clunkers program.