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Cars Replacing Clunkers Are Mostly Japanese

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 5, 2009 5:58 AM CDT

(Newser) – The "cash for clunkers" program might be a boon for car dealers, but for American automakers the news isn't so good—four of the five top-selling cars in the program are Japanese. While the Ford Focus is the No. 1 seller, Toyota and Honda occupy the next four spots. The new vehicles get an average of 25.4 miles per gallon, while the traded-in cars—more than 80% of which were trucks and SUVs—get just 15.8 mpg.

Thee showroom of Bay Ridge Toyota in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009.
Thee showroom of Bay Ridge Toyota in New York, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Vehicles traded in as part of the cash for clunkers program are lined up at the Galpin Motors, Inc. Ford dealership in Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 3, 2009.
Vehicles traded in as part of the "cash for clunkers" program are lined up at the Galpin Motors, Inc. Ford dealership in Los Angeles, Monday, Aug. 3, 2009.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Used cars are seen in a dumpster to draw attention to the Cash for Clunkers program at Performance Chevrolet in Sacramento, Calif.
Used cars are seen in a dumpster to draw attention to the "Cash for Clunkers" program at Performance Chevrolet in Sacramento, Calif.   (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 13 comments
Kookey90
Aug 14, 2009 10:29 AM CDT
Yes, Japanese cars are better made and get better gas mileage. U.S. auto makers still do not have this down right.
Spudsy
Aug 6, 2009 1:56 AM CDT
If you lived in Chicago and ever had to suffer through a Cars 4 Kids radio commercial, this would not bother you at all. Beat all of the ad scums with sticks.
Spudsy
Aug 6, 2009 1:54 AM CDT
I just bought a Toyota. Owned a Ford once. 95 windstar. Engine melted in three weeks. Not Fords fault, injector can get stuck on any car. But they replaced the engine with a 94 model. Now I own a car that never existed, a 1994 Windstar. Do you wonder why I will never buy Ford again?

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