The government says that the best-selling vehicles under its new Cash for Clunkers trade-in program have been small cars like the Ford Focusand Toyota Corolla. A new report, however, disagrees. The source of the conflict lies in the way the government counts vehicle sales.
CNN Money explains, "The discrepancy is a result of the methods used." Analysts from Edmunds.com use "traditional sales measurements, tallying sales by make and model. The government uses a more arcane measurement method that subdivides models according to engine and transmission types, counting them as separate models." The government, for instance, counts sales of four-cylinder Toyota Camrys and six-cylinder Toyota Camrys as if the two cars were two different models, while Edmunds.com counts them as one.
Counting by the government's method, Autoblog notes, the Ford Focus has been the top-selling vehicle under the program. By Edmunds' count, however, the Ford Escape wins. But, by the government's method, "the Environmental Protection Agency counts the crossover as six separate models; including FWD, AWD and Hybrid versions."
In fact, Jalopnik reports, "if you look at it by model, and not by trim, trucks and crossovers are the true winners." The Edmunds list includes a pair of full-size trucks and a pair of small SUVs, although the government's winner, the Ford Focus, comes in second even by Edmunds' standard.
Edmunds.com's list of the top Cash for Clunkers buys:
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
If you're interested in the Cash for Clunkers program, check out our Cash for Clunkers page. If you're ready to buy, contact local dealers. For the latest news on the program,
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