Is Cash for Clunkers evidence that Americans want more efficient cars?

USA Today is reporting that top cars relinquished under the wildly popular Cash for Clunkers program are all American-made trucks, vans, jeeps and SUVs and the top replacements are the following mostly small, efficient cars:

  Relinquished clunkers at Winner Ford in Cherry Hill N.J.
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

1. Toyota Corolla
2. Ford Focus
3. Honda Civic
4. Toyota Prius
5. Toyota Camry
6. Hyundai Elantra
7. Ford Escape
8. Dodge Caliber
9. Honda Fit
10. Chevrolet Cobalt

The list alarms some made-in-America advocates who see U.S. tax dollars benefiting foreign automakers. But U.S. car manufacturers have focused their production on trucks and SUVs for more than a decade now, claiming consumer demand as the primary factor. Are they right?

CNN however takes issue with the list reported by USA Today based on government estimates. Because the government accounting subdivides models by type, CNN argues that their lists are misleading and undercount popular trucks and SUVs being purchased with clunker cash. CNN is reporting the Ford Escape, all models, as the most popular replacement vehicle under the Cash for Clunkers program.

"The Escape is available in six different versions including two- and four-wheel drive and hybrid versions. The government counts each version as a different vehicle using guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency. Only the front wheel drive, non-hybrid version made the government's top ten list."

Still fuel economy improvements continue to exceed expectations. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports the average mileage of cars traded in under Cash for Clunkers is 15.8 with replacements averaging 25.4 miles a gallon. That 61 percent increase in fuel efficiency exceed program requirements and projections.

What do you think? Do the cars purchased under Cash for Clunkers indicate a market for fuel efficient vehicles that Detroit has overlooked? Or is it too soon to tell?

Considering heading out and cashing in your clunker this weekend? Then don't miss this government website for researching fuel efficiency.