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Find out which vehicles qualify for the $3,500 or $4,500 government voucher program, Cash for Clunkers. Definitions of new passenger automobiles, category 1, 2, 3 trucks for recession busting Auto Stimulus
By trading in their venerable gas guzzling polluters, USA citizens may qualify to receive a $3,500 or $4,500 voucher toward a new vehicle purchase pursuant to the Consumer Assistance and Recycle and Save Act of 2009.
That article referenced purchases of new passenger automobiles and category 1, 2, or 3 trucks. This article defines those four categories in detail.
New Passenger Vehicles & Category 1/2/3 Trucks Defined
Below are the specifications for these automobiles as defined by fueleconomy.gov. Keep in mind that the miles per gallon (MPG) noted below are combined values (a combination of city and highway ratings).

• New Passenger Vehicles – As defined by the fuel economy statute, passenger vehicles must be manufactured primarily for transporting people, and they cannot be capable for off-highway operation (most importantly, this means that four-wheel drive vehicles do not qualify as passenger cars). Passenger vehicles must get at least 22 MPG.
• Category 1 Trucks – This encompasses SUV's weighing between 8,500 and 10,000 pounds (includes medium-duty passenger vehicles), pickup trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 8,500 pounds and a wheelbase of less than or equal to 115 inches, and vans with GVWR of less than 8,500 pounds and a wheelbase of less than or equal to 124 inches. Category 1 trucks should get at least 18 miles per gallon.
• Category 2 Trucks – This includes pickup trucks with GVWR of less than or equal to 8,500 pounds and a wheelbase more than 115 inches as well as large vans with a GVWR of no more than 8,500 pounds and a wheelbase over 124 inches. Category 2 trucks should get at least 15 miles per gallon.
• Category 3 Trucks – All work trucks, except medium-duty passenger vehicles, with a GVWR of 8,500 to 10,000 pounds. There are no applicable combined fuel economy ratings in this category.

Maximum Purchase Price That Qualifies for U.S. Government Auto Vouchers
In addition to the requirements noted above, all of the vehicles eligible for purchase under the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program must be brand new and cannot cost more than $45,000 (manufacturer’s suggested retail price).
2009 United States Auto Stimulus Program Info on cars.gov and fueleconomy.gov
Passenger vehicles and category 1, 2, and 3 trucks are also defined in chart format on fueleconomy.gov and cars.gov. The entire cars.gov website is devoted to the Car Allowance Rebate System whereas fueleconomy.gov simply has one section devoted to this auto stimulus program.
Resources:
Car Allowance Rebate System website, www.cars.gov
Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009
www.Fueleconomy.gov