WARWICK, RI - Congressmen Jim Langevin and Patrick Kennedy will visit Paul Masse Chevrolet in East Providence on Tuesday, August 4, to raise awareness about the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), also known as “Cash for Clunkers.” Masse Chevrolet is one of the state’s dealerships participating in the program. The Congressmen supported and voted for CARS on June 16.  The program has been so successful in its first days of operation that it recently required an additional infusion of funding from Congress.

“The CARS program is another federal investment that is working to save jobs and move our nation to a clean energy economy.  I’m pleased Rhode Islanders and dealers have enthusiastically embraced this program which will benefit consumers, the environment and the state’s business environment,” said Kennedy.

“Cleaning up our environment while giving consumers extra money to spend at our local small businesses is a win-win situation,” said Langevin. “CARS is a great example of Congress moving quickly to get the Rhode Island economy back on the road.”

CARS provides consumers with $3,500 to $4,500 vouchers when they choose to trade in an old vehicle for one with higher fuel efficiency.  The vehicle turned in must be scrapped.  It was estimated that the initial $1 billion investment in the program will spur the sale of up to 250,000 more fuel efficient cars and trucks – creating jobs and shoring up car dealerships. On Friday, Congress shifted an additional $2 billion of stimulus funding to keep the program going. To date, Paul Masse has helped to retire 20 “clunkers” off Rhode Island roads.

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