Trucks win in Cash for Clunkers game

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a list for the 10 most common vehicles purchased under the Cash for Clunkers program. However Edmunds, a company that specializes in tracking automobile sales data, has a much different list. The government has mostly small, fuel efficient cars plus two crossover vehicles on their list. Edmunds has two full sized pick-up trucks, a mid-sized SUV, and a crossover among their top 10.

By Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNNMoney.com senior writer

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- What are people trading their clunkers in for? It depends on who you ask.

The government's results showed small cars as the top choice for shoppers looking for Cash for Clunker deals. But an independent analysis by Edmunds.com disputed those results, and 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. (more)

Here's the DOT list: And here's the Edmunds list:
1. Ford Focus 1. Ford Escape
2. Toyota Corolla 2. Ford Focus
3. Honda Civic 3. Jeep Patriot
4. Toyota Prius 4. Dodge Caliber
5. Toyota Camry 5. Ford F-150
6. Ford Escape 6. Honda Civic
7. Hyundai Elantra 7. Chevy Silverado
8. Dodge Caliber 8. Chevy Cobalt
9. Honda Fit 9. Toyota Corolla
10. Chevy Cobalt 10. Ford Fusion