AIADA Applauds Extension of the CARS Deadline

Dealers Will have Until Noon Tomorrow to Submit Clunkers Transactions

ALEXANDRIA, VA (August 24) – The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) applauds the Department of Transportation's decision to extend until 12 p.m. EST Tuesday the deadline for dealers to submit their Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) transactions to the government.

The deadline to complete CARS sales remains tonight at 8 p.m. EST. The Department of Transportation's decision was made after the submission portion of the website, www.CARS.gov, crashed three times since the deadline was announced last Thursday. At 4:30 p.m. today, the site remained down.

"The Department of Transportation has made the smart decision," said AIADA President Cody Lusk. "By giving dealers the time to submit their transactions, they are giving CARS a chance to succeed as a stimulus program. Now, the focus should be on getting the CARS.gov site up and functioning."

Dealers paid the $3,500 and $4,500 CARS vouchers upfront to consumers, and are working to complete and submit the forms needed for government reimbursement.