Dealers Create Auto Stimulus Plan to Help Consumers Left Behind By Government's Cash for Clunkers Program: www.AutoStimulusPlan.com

NEW YORK, July 31 -- Some of the largest automotive retailers in the country have created www.AutoStimulusPlan.com, a website that educates consumers about their privately funded stimulus program to provide additional incentives to make it easier to get a newer more fuel efficient vehicle.

The Automotive Stimulus Plan was created by retailers to compliment the government's program and to compensate for some of the gaps that don't allow consumers to purchase pre-owned vehicles or chose a short term lease. "Letting consumers lease a new vehicle or buy a pre-owned vehicle without any down payment makes it affordable for a lot of people who could not participate otherwise," said Scott Gruwell from Courtesy Chevrolet, one of GM's largest dealers and one of the retailers participating in www.AutoStimulusPlan.com.

The Automotive Stimulus Plan incentives can be used by consumers to buy pre-owned vehicles and to lease a new vehicle for any term that makes their payments more affordable. The program also promises fewer requirements, easier paperwork and no required down payment if the consumer qualifies. "The $2 billion that lawmakers approved is helpful but we still have consumers who can't afford to take advantage of the program and we had to do something about it," said Rick Case, owner of Rick Case Automotive Group in Florida, Georgia and Ohio. "Consumers will pay less a year to drive a newer car because the payments are so low and the gas and repair savings are so high."

The Automotive Stimulus Plan is a private sector program funded by retailers to provide incentives to consumers that will reduce inventory levels, help the economy and the environment at the same time. In addition to providing trade-in credits, the Automotive Stimulus Plan also includes deep discounts and special financing which helps consumers get into a newer vehicle for affordable payments.

"Under our stimulus program a customer can get a new Accord for $5 a day which means they can drive a car for free when you deduct the gas savings," said Brian Benstock from Paragon Automotive Group in New York, one of the participating retailers. "The stimulus program is scheduled to end on November 1st and will continue if the governments program expires before that date."

The Automotive Stimulus Plan incentives vary by region and dealership based on the make and model of vehicles they sell. Consumers can learn more about the program and begin connecting with participating retailers by visiting the website: www.AutoStimulusPlan.com.

The organization informs consumers that they should be patient if they cannot get through to the website this weekend, as the program is being launched and traffic levels may be high. When the governments program went live they experienced difficulties with high traffic volumes that affected their servers and the AutoStimulusPlan.com website may experience similar issues. Consumers are advised to visit at a later time if the site is not functioning properly.

  Automotive Stimulus Program Requirements:
  1. Current vehicle is a 2006 or older
  2. Current vehicle is operable
  3. Current vehicle has been owned for a minimum of 6 months
  4. Current vehicle has been registered for a minimum of 6 months
  5. Current vehicle has been insured for a minimum of 6 months
  6. The replacement vehicle has to be more fuel efficient
  7. Incentives vary based on current vehicle and desired vehicle (visit
     www.AutoStimulusPlan.com for details)

  8. Incentives vary by State, Market, Make and Model. Contact participating
     dealers for incentive information. Incentives vary and are subject to
     all state laws as they relate to automotive advertising and promotion.

The website was scheduled to go live on August 3rd, but due to the news about the uncertainty of the funding for the governments program the site is scheduled to go live today, July 31st. "We intended for our Stimulus Plan to compliment the government's program but now it may have to take its place when the government funds run out," said Vince Sheehy from Sheehy Automotive Group in Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland and Baltimore, one of the participating dealers.

About www.AutoStimulusPlan.com

www.AutoStimulusPlan.com is funded and promoted the some of the largest automotive retailers in the country. Participating dealers are domestic and import licensed new car dealers who have agree to provide additional incentives for consumers to get a newer more fuel efficient vehicle. www.AutoStimulusPlan.com website and communication campaign was built by Level 5, an automotive marketing and consulting firm that specializes in creating and implementing integrated programs for Manufacturers, Associations and Retailers.

To schedule interviews with participating retailers contact Erin Miller
at HL Group.
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: