Looks like a scheme to make money for banks. How is it determined that $1000 savings is actually be passed on to the borrower? Seems the banks will both make money on the sub-rate deposit and on the loan.

The scheme also punishes anyone who saves money to buy the car with cash (encouraging debt accumulation), or wishes to borrow from a non-participating source (which might have lower rates).

And how, exactly is this the largest state rebate in the nation? I'm getting $1500 tax credit in Oregon, and it isn't tied to some loan.

I also don't get the pat-on-the-back "For every dollar that is spent on the program, drivers will save $5 on fuel over the life of their vehicle". If they spent $10 per car on the program then they could say that for every dollar spent drivers would save $500 on fuel... Wouldn't that be even better?