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Apparently, small, fuel-efficient vehicles aren’t the only cars allowed to receive the cash-for-clunkers treatment.  The Ford F-150 pick-up truck and Cadillac SRX Crossover are both eligible under the program, as are versions of the ‘09 Lexus RX 350, 2009 Lincoln MKX, and the 2009 BMX X3 crossover, none of which are efficient over the point of 19 mpg.

The programs qualifying conditions however, seem to aim to increase the fuel efficiency of cars on American roads, rather than maximize it.  In order to qualify under the program, buyers must be trading in a comparable class of vehicle with at least 2 mpg less fuel efficiency than the car they wish to purchase.  The price of the car though must be limited to $40,000.

Certain watchdog groups are not surprised that less fuel-efficient vehicles are moving out of dealership doors, as Lena Pons of the watchdog group Public Citizen lends mention to the fact that Congress agreed to loosen fuel efficiency requirements under the program when it passed the initial legislation that founded the program.

By: Stephen Calogera

Source: MSNBC