Sales attributed to the government's Cash for Clunkers program have topped 180,000 units. The program's existence was put in jeopardy when it blew through most of its cash within in the first week, but now it looks like another $2 billion is going to be added to the vote after a successful Senate vote. Lawmakers agreed to add additional funding to the program which should give buyers until labor day to trade in their older vehicles for new more fuel-efficient ones.
More than 80 percent of the vehicles traded in have been trucks, SUVs and vans, while 59 percent of the vehicles purchased have been passenger cars. The Toyota Corolla recently overtook the Ford Focus as the best-selling vehicle in the program. The Ford Focus holds the number two spot, while the Honda Civic comes in third.
Full Story: Reuters via CNN Money
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Comments (25)
I wonder how many more carollas sold than the Focus? anyway, i hope the focus can keep up the strong sales, Ford could sure use that.
Posted by Phil | August 6, 2009 12:06 PM
Posted on August 6, 2009 12:06
billions and billions and billions for GM.... they shouldve just give it to toyota, honda, hyundai, mazda, ford & nissan
Posted by Billions | August 6, 2009 4:22 PM
Posted on August 6, 2009 16:22
Wait until the new Euro Focus goes on sale it's going to make the current corolla look really bland.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | August 6, 2009 7:06 PM
Posted on August 6, 2009 19:06
Everything Ford makes already leaves everything with a Toyota badge looking bland.
Posted by RC | August 6, 2009 7:55 PM
Posted on August 6, 2009 19:55
I would buy the corolla or civic; ford can keep their junk. it may look better now than it did, but its still junk! I bet in 5 years, people buying the focuses will realize they made a mistake, just like everything else ford (and gm/chrysler) make...(minus their pickups)
Posted by philip | August 6, 2009 9:34 PM
Posted on August 6, 2009 21:34
Toyota and Honda heve never been known for their styling. Their selling point has always been quality and reliability.
Posted by CarGrinch | August 7, 2009 12:08 AM
Posted on August 7, 2009 00:08
I wonder why the Cash for Clunkers program wasn't limited to American cars and those assembled in America only? Or was it?
It would seem that the best way to boost the American economy would be to put Americans back to work, not make a bunch of folks in Yokohama busier.
Posted by Chad | August 7, 2009 5:28 AM
Posted on August 7, 2009 05:28
If it was only cars assembled in America, then you can count out the Toyota Prius along with the Hyundai Elantra, and the Honda Fit, all of which are in the top 10 and all of which are assembled outside the US. You can also include anything Volkswagen and the Ford Fusion which seems to be a big hit on here.
Funny how it isn't mentioned that GM is the top seller for Cash for Clunkers, followed by Toyota and then Ford while Ford dominates the list for trade in's followed by Chrysler.
Posted by Avatar | August 7, 2009 6:24 AM
Posted on August 7, 2009 06:24
It also doesn't mention that GM and Chrysler would both be out of business if they weren't being supported with money stolen from American taxpayers.
Posted by bbc | August 7, 2009 8:20 AM
Posted on August 7, 2009 08:20
@philip
Have you driven a ford lately? I can assure you, they're not junk. The 2010 Ford lineup is the best they've had since I've been alive, all of which are quality vehicles. Do some research and stop making claims based on a vehicle you owned 10 years ago.
Posted by Caddy | August 7, 2009 11:13 AM
Posted on August 7, 2009 11:13
Also just read over on Edmunds that the government numbers are being sub divided by options. The top ten for the program by actual sales numbers as follows:
1. Ford Escape
2. Ford Focus
3. Jeep Patriot
4. Dodge Caliber
5. Ford F-150
6. Honda Civic
7. Chevrolet Silverado
8. Chevrolet Cobalt
9. Toyota Corolla
10. Ford Fusion
Posted by Avatar | August 7, 2009 12:49 PM
Posted on August 7, 2009 12:49
Anyone that thinks Ford's are junk cars still are blind and ignorant, the facts speak for themself. from Best sellers to quality awards within the past 3 years.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | August 7, 2009 1:10 PM
Posted on August 7, 2009 13:10
cash for clunkers has been GM and Ford's business model for the last 20 years.You give them your cash,they give you a clunker.
Posted by Patrick | August 7, 2009 4:09 PM
Posted on August 7, 2009 16:09
My beef with the cash-for-clunkers is that too many of the cars being traded in are _not_ clunkers. It's supposed to be about "saving the environment" (and boosting automakers), but it seems to me that it is definitely the opposite effect on the environment.
I am _not_ an environmentalist or anything like that. I'm just disgusted with the waste. I also think that the money could have been put to much better use. Maybe instead of giving $25 billion to GM, they should have used _that_ money to fund this program.
Survival of the fittest. Let capitalism do its thing.
Posted by Icester | August 8, 2009 9:12 AM
Posted on August 8, 2009 09:12
If that's the case Icester, then Toyota and Honda should have died in the 1950s. Volkswagen shouldn't be around at all since it was started by Hitler.
As for capitalism, hard to have a free market when it isn't really all that free outside the US...
And Patrick, at least I don't have to worry about the frames on my vehicles rotting out like the Japanese or the Germans with the endless electrical problems.
Posted by Avatar | August 8, 2009 9:57 AM
Posted on August 8, 2009 09:57
Hehe...just kidding on my previous comments. I made up that stuff about Toyota and Honda. I just wish the Japs and Germans wouldn't make cars that last 10 times longer than Fords.
Posted by Avatar | August 8, 2009 2:07 PM
Posted on August 8, 2009 14:07
Yup, made it up alright. Because I have only given proof that Honda and Toyota have received money and gotten help from Japan on here before.
Funnier still you, 'Avatar', mention Ford, because I have also made it known on here I am not a Ford guy either.
Maybe you need to do some more homework before impersonating people, lol.
Posted by Avatar | August 8, 2009 4:11 PM
Posted on August 8, 2009 16:11
It also helps that most of Ford's current engine tech is being co-designed with Mazda... Two brains are certainly better than one.
Of course Toyota and Honda have done well for themselves in that area... (and you might could put Subaru in there as well.)
I agree with Icester. My wife's 01 Rodeo qualifies, and it has less than 60k miles on it. It's a fine car, and there is nothing wrong with it. It's sad that even the government is teaching people it's better to throw things away than to want to rebuild, reuse, and maintain the things they own.
God only knows that's why "new" houses suck ass so bad.
Posted by Brian | August 8, 2009 9:16 PM
Posted on August 8, 2009 21:16
LOL I can see it now from the U.S. Gov next "cash for rundown houses".
Posted by SteelCity1981 | August 9, 2009 5:23 AM
Posted on August 9, 2009 05:23
Eww... People still buy corollas? Why? There ugly and boring. The focus is a way more fun and interesting. Not to mention better performing. Toyota make the lamest cars on the market, I would sooner drive a hyndai.
Posted by Thejester420 | August 9, 2009 12:45 PM
Posted on August 9, 2009 12:45
I agree with you Thejester420 - Toyotas do tend to be a bit on the boring side. However, the Corolla and Camry are consistently some of the better sellers. Why?
The only answer I have for that is reliability. It just proves that Americans put quality and reliability ahead of flash (usually). Especially with leaner economic times I imagine the trend will continue to lean more heavily towards reliable, quality cars because they cost less in the long run.
Posted by Icester | August 9, 2009 1:40 PM
Posted on August 9, 2009 13:40
That's exactly why I bought mine.
Hell I wanted a Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS, but everything about it was more expensive.
Plus with that many Corolla's on the road it's not like find junk parts will be a problem.
( I mean how many old ass civics do you see still rolling around with rebuilt engines.)
Posted by Brian | August 10, 2009 4:45 PM
Posted on August 10, 2009 16:45
Ouch, game over Prius and all other hybrids. Chevy Volt, 230 MPG City just announced this morning.
Posted by Avatar | August 11, 2009 5:16 AM
Posted on August 11, 2009 05:16
Imo, just about any car made by America is just not worth it, sad to say, when compared to the Japanese ones (minus the Focus that car is pretty good). The overall reliablilty is just not there. Most Toyota's and Honda's will live well past five years and go past the 200,000 mile mark with ease. I never got that with any American car.
However, when it comes to toughness and torque you cannot beat an American truck. Ok, yes Toyoata does make some tough trucks, they have proven that, but an American truck still out does them all. If you use a truck for actual hard working and hauling go American.
The cash for clunkers is just targeted at a specific sector: mainly trucks and suv's. Another words they want to get the soccor mom's out of the big suv's wether they are clunkers or not. I mean one of the requirements is it has to get 18mpg or less. So that is a very specific target of vehicles.
Posted by Pete | August 11, 2009 9:01 AM
Posted on August 11, 2009 09:01
Patrick:, I have never heard it said better!
"cash for clunkers has been GM and Ford's business model for the last 20 years.You give them your cash,they give you a clunker."
Posted by Dean | August 11, 2009 4:02 PM
Posted on August 11, 2009 16:02