Secretary of Transportation Roy LaHood calls the program "wildly successful" because of the huge jump in sales numbers saying "American consumers and workers were the clear winners thanks to the cash for clunkers program."

If the idea was to sell more cars it's hard to argue that the CARS program didn't do just this. In fact, it was so successful they ran out of the original $1 billion in less than a week. In total, they were able to get rid of $2.88 billion and encourage 690,114 sales. The only problem now is what percentage of these sales were pull-forward sales and what were real sales that would have otherwise not been generated without the rebates. We'll have to wait for September and October sales to know for sure.

It also clearly encouraged the sale of more efficient vehicles. With an average rebate amount of $4,184 it's clear more people opted for the most efficient option. In fact, the average trade-in mileage was 15.8 MPG with a new vehicle mileage of 24.9 MPG, for an improvement of 58%. Whether or not this balances out the environment impact of manufacturing more vehicles is debatable.

Did it help American automakers? Yes. Ford reported its first sales increase since 2007 and GM did add shifts. Many of the cars sold were at least assembled in the U.S., but the not-so-Big Three had only 38% of the total share of sales, below their overall share in the market.

The biggest winner was Toyota, with 19.4% of the toal share, followed by GM with 17.6% and Ford with 14.4%. Chrysler did a dismal 6.6% of the overall sales. All of the ten most traded-in vehicles are American, though, so there's something.

Start walking through the list by hitting "next."

This data is as of August 25th at 8:00 PM. Click next to see the ten most traded-in vehicles, then next again for the ten most purchased vehicles. After that — see the break-down by segment.
Photo Credit: MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

The Ten Most Traded-In Vehicles
1. Ford Explorer 4WD
2. Ford F150 Pickup 2WD
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD
4. Ford Explorer 2WD
5. Dodge  Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD
6. Jeep Cherokee 4WD
7. Chevrolet Blazer 4WD
8. Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD
9. Ford F150 Pickup 4WD
10. Ford Windstar FWD Van

The Ten Most Purchased New Vehicles
1. Toyota Corolla
2. Honda Civic
3. Toyota Camry
4. Ford Focus
5. Hyundai Elantra
6. Nissan Versa
7. Toyota Prius
8. Honda Accord
9. Honda Fit
10. Ford Escape FWD

Vehicles Purchased By Category
Passenger Cars:    404,046
Category 1 Truck:   231,651
Category 2 Truck:    46,836
Category 3 Truck:      2,408

Vehicles Traded-In By Category
Passenger Cars:      109,380
Category 1 Truck:    450,778
Category 2 Truck:    116,909
Category 3 Truck:        8,134

As of Friday morning the number of transactions submitted numbered 489,269 with a dollar value of $2.04 billion. This morning the number reached 635,186 transactions with a dollar value of $2.65 million. Was there a surge of sales over the weekend?

Almost certainly not. Dealers were warned against doing more transactions both by the NADA and the Department of Transportation. This is probably a rush of overdue paperwork from dealers who need to get the information into the Feds before it's too late. There's also likely a processing lag on the government's end as well. Whatever the cause, we'll likely not know for a few days how much money was actually spent.

We also have an updated list of traded-in and purchased cars. So far, the number of vehicles purchased have overwhelmingly been passenger cars (283,104) and category 1 trucks (166,686), with just a few category 2 (31,862) and category 3 (1,300) trucks. On the other end, the majority of vehicles turned in are category 1 trucks (318,249) and category 2 trucks (81,599) with just 78,265 passenger cars.

To see the full list of traded-in and purchased vehicles click next.

This data is as of August 24th at 7:47 am. Click next to see the ten most traded-in vehicles, then next again for the ten most purchased vehicles

Photo Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Top 10 Trade-In Vehicles
1. Ford Explorer 4WD
2. Ford F150 Pickup 2WD
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD
4. Jeep Cherokee 4WD
5. Ford Explorer 2WD
6. Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD
7. Chevrolet Blazer 4WD
8. Ford F150 Pickup 4WD
9. Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD
10. Ford Windstar FWD Van

Top 10 New Vehicles Purchased
1. Toyota Corolla
2. Honda Civic
3. Ford Focus FWD
4. Toyota Camry
5. Hyundai Elantra
6. Toyota Prius
7. Nissan Versa
8. Ford Escape FWD
9. Honda Fit
10. Honda CR-V 4WD

We're gluttons for punishment, so we want you to show us your own pics of the last clunked cars on dealer lots. Like before, we're looking for you to head on out with your camera phone or digi-cam this morning, take some shots and upload 'em in the comments below. Make sure they're actually clunked cars. Just as we did before, we'll promote the best shots and even drop a star or two out into the commenting masses for the best ones.

Photo Credit: David McNew / Getty Images News

According to the latest stats provided by the Department of Transportation, as of this morning there were 489,269 vehicles traded in with a dollar value of $2.038 billion out of a total available $2.875 billion for cars and non-Class 3 trucks. However, there's a fear this number doesn't reflect the total number of deals because many remain to be processed, which is why the feds decided to end the program Monday night at 8:00 pm.

Despite the deadline, dealers are already being told not to agree to more sales unless the paperwork is already in order. There's also a strain being put on dealers who, though profiting from the bill, have fronted a lot of money on the assumption of being paid by the government, when in reality less than 10% of the reported deals have been repaid. In fact, both GM and Mazda are reimbursing dealers until the Federal government cuts them a check so they're able to maintain enough cash to stay in business.

The most traded-in vehicle is still the Ford Explorer 4WD and the most purchased vehicle is now the Toyota Corolla, replacing the Ford Focus. For the list of the most popular trade-in vehicles click on the Explorer, for the list of purchased vehicles click on the Corolla.

This data is as of August 21st at 7:07 am. Click next to see the most purchased vehicles.

Photo Credit: David McNew/Getty Images

Top 10 New Vehicles Purchased
1. Toyota Corolla
2. Honda  Civic
3. Ford Focus FWD
4. Toyota Camry
5. Hyundai Elantra
6. Toyota Prius
7. Nissan  Versa
8. Ford Escape FWD
9. Honda  Fit
10. Honda  CR-V 4WD

Top 10 Trade-in Vehicles
1. Ford Explorer 4WD
2. Ford F150 Pickup 2WD
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD
4. Jeep Cherokee 4WD
5. Ford Explorer 2WD
6. Dodge  Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD
7. Chevrolet Blazer 4WD
8. Ford F150 Pickup 4WD
9. Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD
10. Ford Windstar FWD Van

This date seems to be a line of demarcation. Early reports suggest anything falling before it will be accepted (assuming it qualifies) and anything after it will not be counted. Exactly how much money will be left over, what happens if they're in the red, or what sales will do after the program ends remains to be seen.

Given the current "burn rate" of dollars it's been estimated that there's less than 19 days left of the program. The latest figures from the Department of Transportation show 435,102 submitted with a dollar value of $1.814 billion used. This should, in theory, leave $1 billion left. But that it assumes there's real-time tracking of the submissions and, so far as we can tell, there isn't.

We've actually inquired to the NHTSA multiple times how, specifically, they were going to wind the program down. We've yet to get an answer but Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said today they were going to explain what, specifically, is happening. Until then dealers are worried there transactions will be on the other side of the program and not be reimbursed.

In fact, the NADA says "In view of the foregoing, dealers who accept additional "clunker" deals face a growing risk that they may not be reimbursed."

Photo Credit: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images

According to our tipster, this Jeep is in good condition with a clean title, minimal rust, and good tires. A little detail work and it would be a classic cruiser. Alas, we know its fate. Seriously, Save The Clunkers!

As we've seen before, this can bequite the intense process, and the van in question appears to be an older Econoline. From the photos it appears the collateral damage is in the form of the Montero Sport next to it. We're curious if the technicians still have to destroy the engine of the now-torched Montero or if it's going to be covered by insurance.

Steve Travers, the General Manager of Castle Ford, confirmed there was a fire but wouldn't comment any further. We're a little sad he didn't say "our deals are so hot cars are bursting into flames."

Thanks to Notags for grabbing the photos, story!

To qualify for an approval of the voucher you had to make the deal for your car between July 1st and July 24th, the actual launch of the program. You're car also has to be on the disqualified list. This reverses the statement the NHTSA previously made, which was essentially that these people were SOL.

Photo Credit: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images

Consider this a call to arms. While we understand there are some cars worth sacrificing to the salvage yard, and we're happy to see Explorers being traded in, a low-mileage FJ60 is not a car we'd like to see sent to the crusher. A mint E28 with a stick is not one of them. People need to know not to sacrifice these precious vehicles. As previously seen, most Americans aren't aware of the difference between true clunkers and quirky classics.

This Dodge Ram Vanamino, a classic example of vangenieering, is being sacrificed at Galpin Ford in Los Angeles. For what? A Ford Focus? We must let people know of the horrors. If you see a great vehicle being sacrificed take a picture and post it here. We must bear witness to the atrocity. Post the pictures here and we'll promote all photos to the top. We must not let any more -aminos be destroyed.

Photos by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

The original version of the list separated each vehicle by powertrain and configuration. This favors cars. For example, the Ford Escape is actually six different vehicles under this system (I4 FWD, V6 FWD, I4 AWD, V6 AWD, Hybrid FWD, Hybrid AWD). Vehicles like the Ford Focus and Chevy Cobalt are all FWD and have typically no more than one or two engines.

The folks at Edmunds.com put together the list with all the variations combined. The list puts the Ford Escape up top and gives eight-of-the-ten most sold vehicles to the not-so-Big Three with four SUV/trucks in the top ten. This still conforms to our math, which showed more people using the $4,500 voucher, but it just means people are trading in for trucks with the full 2 or 5 MPG improvement.

Click next for the NHTSA list and the modified list. (Hat tip to Ptschett!) [CNN]

Photo Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images

The Ten Most Purchased Vehicles (NHTSA Standard)
1. Toyota Corolla
2. Ford Focus FWD
3. Honda Civic
4. Toyota Prius
5. Toyota Camry
6. Hyundai Elantra
7. Ford Escape FWD
8. Dodge Caliber
9. Honda Fit
10. Chevrolet Cobalt

The Ten Most Purchased In Cars (Edmunds Standard)
1. Ford Escape
2. Ford Focus
3. Jeep Patriot
4. Dodge Caliber
5. Ford F-150
6. Honda Civic
7. Chevrolet Silverado
8. Chevrolet Cobalt
9. Toyota Corolla
10. Ford Fusion

Essentially, the Republicans attempted to stop the program by adding any sort of amendment they could to the bill, including some ones Dems would normally vote for like a larger tax credit for first time home owners. This was done because, were the Senate to attach even one amendment, the bill would have to go to conference committee and then back to the House to be voted on, which isn't likely to happen while the U.S. House is in recess.

The final obstacle is passage in the Senate, but at this point it's a foregone conclusion since all the amendments were defeated. Unless the President decides to suddenly oppose the bill (unlikely), there will be another $2 billion in the pipelines.

It's not expected the amendments will pass, but if they do it'll force the House again to reconsider the bill and they're already in recess. If this happens it'll likely cause the program to stop once the money runs out, which is getting close to happening.

[Detroit News]

Photo Credit: AP Photo/The Saginaw News, Chris Fryer

You know the drill. Click next to see the list of traded-in cars and then the list of the most purchased vehicles. There have been some changes in both lists. Members of a Ford SUV fan club, or those taking heart meds, are advised not to click through.

Note: this data is as of August 5th and comes directly from the Department of Transportation.

The Ten Most Traded-In Vehicles
1. Ford Explorer 4WD
2. Ford F150 Pickup 2WD
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD
4. Jeep Cherokee 4WD
5. Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD
6. Ford Explorer 2WD
7. Chevrolet Blazer 4WD
8. Ford F150 Pickup 4WD
9. Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD
10. Ford Windstar FWD Van

You'll notice the Chevy Blazer moving up because, frankly, there are only so many 2WD Explorers left.

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

Both the Focus and Escape slipped a bit, though the composition of the list remains the same.

As of this afternoon there were 184,304 cars turned-in worth a total of $775 million, which means the average voucher is $4,205. This is an important number. If more people were taking advantage of the $3,500 voucher this amount would be closer to $4,000. Yesterday's average was $4,229. This indicates one reason why the plan may be running out of money faster than anticipated is more people initially were reaching for the full, mileage-tied $4,500 voucher.

If you look at the list of most purchased cars and see nearly all of them are fuel-sipping cars. The new Focus is the most purchased vehicle and it gets 28 MPG combined, which is 10 MPG more than the 18 MPG maximum efficiency of a trade-in.

Critics afraid of people trading up to a new F-150 with only slightly better mileage appear to have been wrong. People are turning green for the green.

As for when the money runs out, there are numerous factors including the rejection rate and the types of trucks being turned in. If you read the fine print of the bill, the $1 billion for CARS includes $50 million for running the program and $75 million for Class 3 trucks. Assuming two-thirds of the $75 million for these trucks has been spent (and it makes sense because these are probably companies and medium-sized businesses with the capital to make a purchase), this leaves just $150 million for cars. At an average voucher value of $4,200 this leaves just 35,714 cars.

[DOT via Justin Hyde @ Twitter]

The natural assumption would be states with the largest populations would be requesting the most money from the CARS Act pool of just-under-a-billion-bucks. Actually, domestic car-producing states who have a large stake in the industry, are where most of the transactions are occurring.

According to data from the NHTSA, Michigan is the highest-ranked state in terms of spending with $34,420,500 in voucher requests through Monday afternoon. This far outpaces Ohio, which is in second with $29,274,000 in requested vouchers. California is the most populous state in the nation, but is in third with $26,433,000, followed closely by Minnesota with $26,168,000 in requests.

The smallest states do tend to correlate more closely with population, with Wyoming and Vermont near the bottom with $302,500 and $1,650,000 respectively. The division with the least number of trades? You'd think it'd be the territory of Guam, which had a singular Cash For Clunker request for a total of $4,500. It's not. The District of Columbia beats Guam out with a total of zero Cash for Clunker requests. That's right, not a single person in Washington, DC took advantage of the program. Go figure.

Overall, Cash For Clunkers appears to have popularity across the map with the highest concentration where people are concerned with the performance of the Not-So-Big Three. That makes sense to us.

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•MINI's Snarky Cash For Clunkers Bumper Sticker Is Awesome

Click on the next button to see the ten most traded-in vehicles, ranked, under the CARS Act program. Then click next again for the ten most purchased vehicles. Not surprisingly, there's not a single car in the top ten list of trade-ins, while with the exception of one small SUV, the rest of the new car purchases were all cars. Wow, doesn't is sound like we're repeating ourselves a little.

The list has been updated from Monday to include different models (as opposed to four different Explorer model years). It is now also inclusive of data up to August 4th at 9:30 AM based on approximately 157,000 requests.

Photo Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

The Ten Most Traded-In Vehicles
1. Ford Explorer 4WD
2. Ford F-150 2WD
3. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD
4. Jeep Cherokee 4WD
5. Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan 2WD
6. Chevrolet Blazer 4WD
7. Ford Explorer 2WD
8. Ford F-150 Pickup 4WD
9. Chevrolet C1500 Pickup 2WD
10. Ford Windstar FWD Van

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

According to preliminary data of the 80,500 transactions logged into the Department of Transportation's system, approximately 47% of the sales are of vehicles from the not-so-Big Three, which just outpaces their overall share in the market of approximately 45%.

The program has clearly been good for Ford, giving them a year-over-year sales increase of 2.3% in July, their first since 2007. Ford's Sales Analyst George Pipas admitted to CNBC yesterday, "Cash For Clunkers put us over the top." Ford also has two of the top five most sold vehicles under the program as of Friday, with the Focus in first place and the Escape small SUV in fifth.

Both GM and Chrysler improved sales from the previous month with the Dodge Caliber and Chevy Cobalt making the list of most purchased vehicles. Additionally, it's been estimated more than half of the non-not-so-Big Three purchases were assembled in the United States.

The reason the not-so-Big Three are winning out? Anecdotal evidence suggests patriotism may play a factor, but for the moment that's hard to prove. The biggest correlation may merely be the brands and models of vehicles being traded in. According to the Department of Transportation, 83% of the trade-ins are trucks (or truck-based SUVs), with the Ford Explorer capturing six of the ten most traded in spots. Our bet is consumers are trading in their cars at the same place, or from the same automaker, they purchased them from originally. So under that litmus test, it may very well be that the Cash For Clunkers plan could be eroding U.S. automaker ownership share — a number that differs from overall market share but could reflect a trend of buyers moving toward non-domestic automakers in their next auto purchase, not their trade-in purchase.

That's not the only way foreign automakers are doing quite well under the program, with slightly more than half of the vehicles sold coming from foreign automakers. But, considering domestic automakers don't have the most fuel efficient vehicle choices on the road, the news is still slightly better for them that they're able to keep pace with their foreign competition.

Congresswoman Betty Sutton (D-OH), who was a cosponsor of both the original CARS bill and the $2 billion refresh, is supportive of continuing the program. "I am pleased that this program is working for the American people and will continue," said Sutton. "[T]he CARS program has proven to be a success. It immediately helps our dealerships, salesmen, consumers, the environment and our economy."

The long-term question is how sustainable is this growth? Not very. Estimates from Edmunds.com indicate nearly 100,000 people could have been waiting for the program to begin, boosting initial demand. Without the program, they estimate there would only be 60,000 of these clunker deals likely occurring. If the program only encouraged people who were waiting to trade in then the long-term impact will be small.

Overall, the benefit of this program seems to be evenly split between domestic and foreign automakers, which, given recent class-dominance by foreign automakers in the small car segment, means it's actually a market share gain in small cars for the not-so-Big Three. However, the long-term effects of losing out on a great many of previously domestic owners isn't yet apparent.

But nevermind the automakers as the biggest benefits may be to the consumer, who are shedding "guzzlers" for more efficient cars. And if the "halo" effect of buyers coming to dealerships without clunkers truly works, it could have an impact well beyond the number of cars traded in.

AP Photo/Mel Evans