Cash-for-clunkers clears 180,000 in sales, is poised for an extension

The cash-for-clunkers program has reached sales of more than 180,000--topped by the Toyota Corolla--as the Senate is poised to vote on an extension of the program on as soon as Thursday.

The Ford Focus is the second-best-selling car under the program, and the Honda Civic, the Toyota Prius and the Camry complete the top five, according to Reuters. The top trade-ins were all domestics, including trucks from Ford and Dodge, as well as Jeep.

The clunkers program offers up to $4,500 to trade in older cars for new, more fuel-efficient rides. The program nearly exhausted its initial outlay of federal funding in a week, and an addition $2 billion could flow into the program if the Senate approves.

The White House supports the move, and the House of Representatives has already signed off on it.

The program has been widely credited with spurring sales in July as the automotive industry looks to recover from its worst slump in decades.

By Greg Migliore