Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Cars

‘Clunkers’ Consequences: GM Sales Down, Ford Gas-Guzzlers Up

When Congress tripled the size of the "cash for clunkers" program in July, both Congress and the White House billed the $3 billion program as a boon for struggling domestic automakers. But when those Detroit car companies released sales figures today, the numbers didn't quite match up to the hype.

082409_clunker1__1251140010_9010.jpg(Photo: AFP/Getty)

General Motors and Chrysler, which required a combined $65 billion in government loans before declaring bankruptcy, reported August year-to-year sales declines of 20 percent and 15 percent, respectively.

Detroit media reports focused on GM's 30 percent sales increase between July and August 2009, but the company's car sales were down 1 percent even after being "bolstered" by the taxpayer-funded "clunkers" rebates.

Ford, the lone U.S. automaker that did not require a government rescue, reported a 17 percent year-to-year sales increase in August. As the New York Times reported, the company was pleased by one sales jump in particular:

At Ford, sales of the F-series, a large pickup truck popular amongbuilding contractors, rose for the first time since October 2006, apositive sign for the automotive market and the broader economy, thecompany said. Ford sold 13 percent more of the F-series and 57 percentmore of a smaller pickup, the Ranger.

“It may be a glimmer ofhope,” Ken Czubay, Ford’s vice president of marketing, sales andservice in the United States, said on a conference call.

The F-150, the most well-known of the F-series trucks, gets an average of 16 miles per gallon (mpg) of gas. The Ranger gets between 16 mpg and 23 mpg, depending on the engine and transmission. "Glimmer of hope," indeed.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video: The London Neighborhood Where Bikes Outnumber Cars

...and how they got to that impressive milestone.

July 11, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Battle Galactus

Like the Marvel supervillain, U.S. interstate highway system seems to eat up everything in his path. A new book explores how to stop it.

July 11, 2025

New Report Shows Pedestrian Fatalities Drop — But Experts Say Not Enough

The Governors Highway Safety Association report showed a 4 percent drop in the number of pedestrian deaths last year, putting a slow on a dangerous trend — but advocates say the drop isn't nearly big enough.

July 11, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: Localities Subsidize the State DOT

Adie Tomer of Brookings on how to improve regional coordination around infrastructure.

July 10, 2025

Five of the Ugliest Transportation Policies In the ‘Big, Beautiful’ Bill

Here's a rundown of some of the transportation provisions in the Republicans' reconciliation package, and what they might mean for your community.

July 10, 2025

Viva La Thursday’s Headlines

Why is French transit ridership up 10 percent since before the pandemic, while American transit ridership is down 23 percent?

July 10, 2025
See all posts