The Senate stepped in to save Cash for Clunkers Aug. 6, giving it a $2 billion extension. But on Aug. 7, CNN.com found a big difference between independent analysis and government claims of which cars were most popular buys.
Peter Valdes-Dapena explored the difference between government data on the clunkers program (claiming small cars were most popular) and Edmunds.com analysis which showed that "two full-size trucks and a small crossover SUV were actually among the top-ten buys."
"The discrepancy is a result of the methods used. Edmunds.com uses 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," Valdes-Dapena wrote.
Based on those methods Edmunds ranked the Ford Escape crossover SUV as the best seller, while the government ranked it seventh.
According to Valdes-Dapena, "sales of truck models would tend to be heavily diluted using the government's method because practically each version counts as a different vehicle."
Ironically, just one day earlier CNN "Newsroom" reported that there had been a "big shift" to smaller cars. CNN's Felicia Taylor said, "critics feared some would actually use that money to buy another truck, but that's not what's happening. The top sellers so far: Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, Honda Civic." She did mention that the Ford Escape made the top ten.
The national news media was outspokenly supportive of Cash for Clunkers, particularly on ABC, CBS and NBC. Reporters called the program "wildly popular," "too successful," and all three networks said it's a "victim of its own success" when it burned through the entire $1 billion budget in a mere week.
CNBC's Jim Cramer even praised the potential $2 billion extension as "money well-spent" on NBC's "Today."
However, Jeremy Anwyl, CEO of Edmunds.com said "it's not clear that cash for clunkers actually increased sales."
—Julia A. Seymour is an assistant editor for the Business & Media Institute.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Money
August 7, 2009 - 12:58 ET by sevenHave any dealers seen their first dime?
Oh Yeah...
August 7, 2009 - 14:41 ET by unkeeafThe one's who supported Obama in the election.
By the way, if you want to see something that will put a smile on your face, watch this short YouTube video. It's our next Rush:
http://www.youtube.c...
MSM = PR firm for the Democrat Party
What's it gonna take?
August 7, 2009 - 13:05 ET by BKeyserI'm hoping that the next Obama girl to have a birthday makes a very special wish...
Tell us the truth!
dopenrage.
Thanks for the info
August 7, 2009 - 13:09 ET by acumenAnd here I was thinking Cash for Clunkers was an Obama program that pays union thugs to pummel elderly citizens at town hall meetings.
These idiots can’t even
August 7, 2009 - 13:11 ET by ninerdogThese idiots can’t even count the type of cars sold correctly. How the hell are they going to run your health care?
You just answered your own question.
August 7, 2009 - 15:08 ET by Dave in TexasThe government knew what they were doing when they released those figures. Someone said, "Hey, how can we report this data so that it appears like we're getting the results we want."
And that's how they're going to run health care. Scratch that. That's how they already run health care.
Oh, they can count, all right...
August 7, 2009 - 15:35 ET by Joe BlogsThey just lied about the stats which show that folks are trading in beat up fuel efficient sedans for four wheel drive gas guzzlers.
Since the invention of electronic ignition and the catalytic converter in the 80s, not much has been accomplished in the way of making cars of a given curb weight more fuel efficient.
August 7, 2009 - 13:15 ET by jessieHCash for clunkers= smoke & mirrors. Another two billion wasted. Angry Mobster
this program sucks
August 7, 2009 - 13:38 ET by katainkentyep, this program sucks. It doesn't shock me at all they're trying to fudge every number they can. I'm so sick and tired of the media being this administration's meat-shield.
___________________________________________
"The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax" - HR 3200 (Health Care Bill) Pg. 203. Ln 14 & 15
Income Taxes?
August 7, 2009 - 13:41 ET by slickwillie2001I've asked this before and no one knew; next Spring will people that took advantage of the $3500 or $4500 deal have to pay income taxes on any portion of that government largesse?
My Mistake...
August 7, 2009 - 14:06 ET by JohnMI didn't realize "Cash for Clunkers" was about cars.
I thought it referred to Obama raising campaign money for Democrats...
...ooooh, I think there's a tee-shirt in that!
Turn in your 'Old Human Clunker Today'!
August 7, 2009 - 15:08 ET by Retired GeekWill there be a Government sponsored agency named 'Planned GrandParentHood'?
Does Barack Obama believe that seniors steal billions of dollars out the federal budget each year just by staying alive?
When you turn that 'Pesky Old Grand Parent' in to eliminate all of the worry and bother they cause, will you 'Receive Cash' and a 'Free Abortion' coupon from Planned Parenthood to eliminate all of the worry and bother that 'Baby Mistake' might cause?
How will 'Planned GrandParentHood' decide the Cash trade in for a 'Human Clunker'?
60 to 69 $10,000 and 'Free Abortion Coupons for life'.
70 to 79 $6500 and 'Four Free Free Abortion Coupons'.
80 to 89 $5500 and 'Three Free Abortion Coupons'.
90 to 99 $4500 and 'Two Free Abortion Coupons'.
100 and above $3500 and 'Free Abortion Coupon'.
This is why ObamaCare is so important, these 'Useless Eaters' are the reason why the ObamaStimulus has lost over 2.5 million jobs instead of creating 3.0 million jobs as Barack Obama promised.
Turn in your 'Old Human Clunker Today'!
More funny math
August 7, 2009 - 16:00 ET by needleHas anyone ever calculated the “carbon footprint” of manufacturing a new car starting with mining the iron ore, bauxite, copper, silicon, etc.?
I very much wonder if it is even physically possible to offset the energy cost of manufacturing a new with energy savings.
- Relying upon the State Run Media for your information is like relying upon an embezzler to manage your portfolio.
Balboa and I were discussing this just the other day
August 7, 2009 - 16:31 ET by CobraManIt's funny you mentioned this as balboa and I were discussing this just the other day. I don't remember which thread tho, sorry.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus.
The US Supreme Court
Yeah, the "Destroy
August 7, 2009 - 17:49 ET by GrannyGrump42Yeah, the "Destroy Functional Vehicles that Could Have Moved a Family off Welfare and Into the Workforce" program is wildly popular, I'm sure, among those who count on welfare recipients as a voting bloc.
I've been thinking. If the
August 7, 2009 - 19:31 ET by CooltomI've been thinking. If the cash for clunker car gets repossessed do the taxpayers get the $4500 back?