The "Success" of Cash for Clunkers

As many in the media trumpet the success of the "Cash-for-Clunkers" program, I'd like to point something out from an article that ran in the Financial Times today:

According to transportation department data, Toyota accounted for three of the top 10 models bought under the cash-for-clunkers scheme. Honda and Ford had two each, and GM and Chrysler one each.

So, with 7 of the top ten cars sold under the program being foreign-made, cash-for-clunkers has been very successful at stimulating the economies of Japan and South Korea, but not so much for ours. Should Congress have considered a "Buy American" clause in the legislation? It may have discouraged some of the car buyers, but it would have led to a greater domestic stimulus.

However, as far as the programs environmental impact is concerned, it has been an overwhelming success:

The government estimates the average fuel consumption of vehicles bought under the programme is 25.4 miles per gallon, compared with an average 15.8 mpg for trade-ins.

The only question left is whether or not the Senate will pass the $2 billion supplement to the program. Many Republicans, John McCain for one, have already pledged to block it.