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Drive America Forward Act

Automotive sales continue to decline in the United States. We have seen a 40 percent decline in sales, across the board, since 2005. Jumpstarting the nation's auto manufacturing sector will help dealers, workers, suppliers, communities and will provide significant benefits for consumers. 

Senator Stabenow's Drive America Forward Act is a bipartisan response to this crisis. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Sam Brownback (R-Kansas).

Under the program, consumers may trade in their older vehicles and receive vouchers worth up to $4,500 toward the purchase or qualified lease of a new, more fuel-efficient car or truck.  The program will be authorized for up to one year and provide for approximately one million new car or truck purchases. 

Trade-in Vehicle Requirements

• Be in drivable condition
• Be continuously insured and registered to the same owner for at least one year
• Have a combined fuel economy value of 18 mpg or less (Work trucks must be pre-2002 regardless of mileage)

New Vehicle Requirements

• The new vehicle must have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of less than $45,000,
• New passenger cars with mileage of at least 22 mpg are eligible for vouchers.  If the mileage of the new car is at least 4 mpg higher than the old vehicle, the voucher will be worth $3,500.  If the mileage of the new car is at least 10 mpg higher than the old vehicle, the voucher will be worth $4,500. 
• New small trucks or SUVs with mileage of at least 18 mpg are eligible for vouchers.  If the mileage of the new truck or SUV is at least 2 mpg higher than the old vehicle, the voucher will be worth $3,500.  If the mileage of the new truck or SUV is at least 5 mpg higher than the old vehicle, the voucher will be worth $4,500. 
• New large trucks (pick-ups and vans weighing between 6,000 and 8,500 pounds) with mileage of at least 15 mpg are eligible for vouchers.  If the mileage of the new truck is at least 1 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $3,500.  If the mileage of the new truck is at least 2 mpg higher than the old truck, the voucher will be worth $4,500. 
• Consumers can trade in a pre-2002 work truck (defined as a pick-up truck or cargo van weighing from 8,500-10,000 pounds) and receive a voucher worth $3,500 for a new work truck in the same or smaller weight class. There are no EPA mileage measures for these trucks; however, because newer models are cleaner than older models, the age requirement ensures that the trade will improve environmental quality.  Consumers can also “trade down,” receiving a $3,500 voucher for trading in an older work truck and purchasing a pick-up or van weighing between 6,000-8,500 lbs.
• The mpg values are EPA combined city/highway fuel economy as posted on the window sticker of new vehicles and can be found at fueleconomy.gov.