SPIN METER: $3 billion buys not-so-green vehicles

USA Today has an interesting follow up story on the Cash for Clunkers program. The Department of Transportation has been extolling the success of the program but for some reason won't share the data behind those claims so that they can be verified.

By BRETT J. BLACKLEDGE, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, the nation's top car salesman in recent weeks, has cited the Obama administration's best-seller list of mostly smaller, fuel-saving cars like the Ford Focus to describe the success of the Cash for Clunkers rebate program.

But what LaHood and other administration officials usually don't mention is that some trucks and sport-utility vehicles that get less than 20 miles per gallon, like the Ford F-150 truck and one version of the Cadillac SRX Crossover, also are being purchased with the new government subsidies. Both are bulky vehicles weighing more than 6,000 pounds when loaded that boast at least 248 horsepower.

Just how many consumers used the federal rebates to buy these larger, not-so-green vehicles is unclear. (more)