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Cash for Clunkers-Mazda Amps Up for CARS Program


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SEE ALSO: Cash For Clunker Consumer Guide

IRVINE, Calif., July 15 -- Mazda and its dealers are hard at work preparing for increased traffic when consumers can take advantage of the government's new Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), also known as cash for clunkers, later this month. Mazda expects incremental sales increases as a result of the new CARS incentive program.

Under the CARS program, 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 incentive toward the purchase of a new vehicle. The amount of the incentive is either $3,500 or $4,500, depending on the mpg improvement of the new vehicle over the one it replaces. See www.cars.gov for complete details.

The Mazda consumer web site, www.MazdaUSA.com, provides a link to the government's official CARS web site, www.cars.gov, which clearly outlines which vehicles qualify as clunkers and which new vehicles are eligible under the program. At MazdaUSA.com, consumers can also access a Fact Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions for additional information on the program. Customers can also see real-world saving examples on the "Clunker Savings Calculator" at MazdaUSA.com to get to a "true cost" at the point of purchase (i.e. MSRP minus $4,500 minus Mazda Incentives minus savings on fuel cost equals final purchase price). Additionally, Mazda's Twitter site, NewsFromMazda, is tweeting daily on the latest CARS news.

To reach current Mazda owners who have qualifying clunkers, Mazda is planning direct mail and email contact of Mazda owners, letting them know about the CARS program. Additionally, Mazda will reach out to prospects via email and conduct hand-raiser communication to communicate the CARS program and eligible Mazda vehicles.

Mazda will integrate CARS messaging into its Summer Event TV advertising, due to begin the week of July 20, which will coincide with the actual program implementation date of July 24. Mazda will soon announce a CARS sweepstakes. Information on the sweepstakes will be released imminently.

Ninety percent of Mazda models and engine combinations qualify for the CARS incentive program, which requires passenger cars to achieve 22 mpg or more combined fuel economy, and light trucks to achieve 18 mpg or better combined fuel economy:

2010 MAZDA3i and MAZDA3s 4-Door, 2010 MAZDA3s 5-Door, 2009 MAZDA6i, all 2009 CX-7s, all 2009 Tributes, 2009 Tribute Hybrid (only sold in selected markets), all 2009 MAZDA5s, all 2009 MX-5 Miatas, 2009 CX-9 2WD and 2009 B-Series B2300.

Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Mazda North American Operations oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers. Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.