California Offers New Consumer Assistance Program and Money for Motorists
3 July 2000
California Offers New Consumer Assistance Program and Money for MotoristsSACRAMENTO, Calif. - California is launching a new Consumer Assistance Program that pays $1,000 to consumers who volunteer their vehicles for retirement. Consumers who have received their DMV renewal notice and then failed their biennial Smog Check test can jump-start the process by dialing the Department of Consumer Affairs' toll-free hotline at 800-952-5210. Eligible motorists can receive a check for $1,000. What's more, CAP's repair payments are consumer-friendly. Consumers whose vehicles are directed to Test-Only stations contribute just $100 for any needed repairs while CAP pays the rest, up to $500. Income-eligible consumers pay just $20. "In keeping with Governor Davis' commitment to environmental protection, California is paying eligible consumers $1,000 to retire their coughing clunkers," pledged Kathleen Hamilton, Director of the California Department of Consumer Affairs. "This investment will help clean the air, give consumers a break and create a healthier future," Hamilton added. The Consumer Assistance Program is run by the Department of Consumer Affairs' Bureau of Automotive Repair. The Consumer Assistance Plan seeks to repair or retire 50,000 major polluters over the next four years. The cars and trucks that CAP retires instantly become zero-emissions vehicles. "The Consumer Assistance Program is a win-win for California consumers and the environment," said Hamilton. "We are making it easier than ever before for consumers to become partners against pollution. Consumers are now in the driver's seat in the race to improve the quality of the air we breathe."