Top 10 Cash for Clunker's Cars Being Purchased

The Cash for Clunkers program may not be renewed by the United States Senate, but let's not forget that it worked. The billion dollars set aside for stimulus through this program is out there doing it's job. People are getting paid salaries. Dealers are making money and all that stimulus money, one billion of it, is flowing into local economies.

And when we look at the cars being purchased with Cash for Clunkers funds, we see that the fear by some lawmakers that consumers would purchase more gas guzzlers has not come to fruition. As the economy bounces back next year, these cars may be the vehicles that fuel part of that economic resurgence in the automobile industry.

Top 10 Cash for Clunkers cars being purchased with funds

Ford Focus

Honda Civic

Toyota Corolla

Toyota Prius

Ford Escape

Toyota Camry

Dodge Caliber

Hyundai Elantra

Honda Fit

Chevy Cobalt

It's clear to see that compact cars and hybrids were the top sellers and that consumers are looking to more fuel efficient vehicles in their Cash for Clunkers purchases. The average fuel economy of those top 10 cars ranged from 27 to 33 miles per gallon.

At CNN money, we read "It's crazy, but we're seeing trucks -- full-size pick-up trucks -- traded in for compact cars," said Mike Jackson, chief executive of AutoNation, the country's largest auto dealer chain, in interview late last week."

It's looking like support for the Cash for Clunkers program is building in the Senate with several senators who were opposing more money for the government funded program, coming out in support now that they could see that consumers were going to be buying fuel efficient vehicles. They have until Friday to get the program refunded before senators leave on their August vacation.

If it passes, it will be good news for automobile dealers and for consumers but also good news for all Americans who will see more positives in the economy due to the stimulus it provides. That was the goal wasn't it?

More good news for the Obama administration on the heels of news reports this week that the economy is improving and a major economic depression has been avoided. Newsweek announced on its front cover, The Recession is Over.N

Now would be a good time for all of us to see how we can help those struggling with unemployment and job changes to move into the New Economy. Nothing is going to go back to the boom days of the last decade or so. It's time Americans faced the facts and the music that we are not a privileged super rich society.

We'll be better off in the long range, as we learn the truths that so many other civilized western countries have come to terms with. The future is about making do with less, not more. In the midst of declining resources, an environment at risk and a globe full of people needing good food, clean water and safe homes, we can be the leader. Cash for Clunkers won't save us, no more than buying a new car will, but as we make the adjustments in lifestyle needed to bring our economy in line with the global economy, these little success stories give us hope.

Resources

Newsweek

CNN Money