Clunkers Program Works Better For Purchasing SUVs & Trucks

While much attention has been lavished on fuel sippers like the Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Insight as the most popular models purchased with CARS.Gov credits, it turns out there is another list showing SUVs and trucks in the top ten.

1 minute read

August 19, 2009, 2:00 PM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


If you check the CARS.Gov rules for what you can purchase with your clunker, it becomes evident that it's much easier to qualify with an SUV or truck purchase rather than a car. A 5 mpg increase (over the trade-in) applied to a new SUV purchase gives one the full $4,500 credit that would require a 10 mpg increase for a car, even less for a large pickup or van. [See the box for trade-up requirements.]

"Jessica Caldwell, a senior analyst at Edmunds.com, the Santa Monica-based auto information site, said she was not surprised that some consumers were turning in old big vehicles to get new big vehicles."

"In the rules for the Cash for Clunkers program, it's not necessary to have a change in lifestyle or fuel mileage," she said. "If you still want a truck, you can get one. The program was set up to accommodate that sort of thing."

Edmunds provides there list of 10 most popular vehicles purchased with CARS credits, dominated by SUVS and trucks, including the 20 mpg and less Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado. The only cars were the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, and Toyota Corolla and Camry. The list also shows the most popular clunkers turned it - all SUVs, trucks, minivans, and the Cadillac DeVille - every one an American model.

Thanks to Jenesse Miller

Tuesday, August 18, 2009 in Sacramento Bee

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

March 28 - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

March 28 - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

March 28 - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.