(August 2009) The success of the short-lived Cash for Clunkers program has created a new problem for Ford and Chrysler — a shortage of some vehicles.
Chrysler is particularly hard hit because of long factory shutdowns earlier this summer.

Vehicles that Chrysler had a hard time moving just two weeks ago are now hard to find. For instance there is only a seven-day supply of Jeep Patriots and a 15-day supply of the Jeep Compass. A 60-day supply is considered normal.

Other Chrysler vehicles in short supply are the Chrysler Sebring (26 days), the P.T. Cruiser (28 days), the Dodge Avenger (15 days) and the Dodge Caliber (17 days).

Ford is dangerously close of running out of the second-most popular Clunker purchase, the high-mileage Focus. Also in short supply is the Ford Escape sport utility.

While clearing the lots of these cars is a good problem, not being able to immediately restock inventory is a bad problem.

Toyota's Corolla sedan overtook the Focus as the best-selling vehicle in the program, the government reported on Wednesday. Toyota had two other passenger cars, the Prius hybrid and the Camry, in the top five. The Honda Civic was number three.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              — Jim Meachen