This makes no sense to me.
What do you think the alternative IS ??
Were you intending to finance the WHOLE list price for the vehicle, which includes the "cash rebate" amount, and then take that cash with you.......which really would amount to a loan at a REALLY high interest rate ??
It make even less sense if you are paying cash.....in which case you pay them and then they give some of it back to you ?????
"Cash rebates" are ALWAYS a deduction from the selling price. I have never heard of it working any other way......and there would be no point really.
The term "cash rebates" is just yet another in the LONG line of deceptive marketing techniques.