Bucking the downward trend, and proving cash for clunkers is working, Ford Motor Company posted a 2.4% sales gain over the same period last year.

Sales were heavily led by their smaller and more fuel efficient vehicles, including the Focus that was up 44%, Fusion 66% and the Ranger pick-up at 65%.

Cash for Clunkers had initially had 1 billion to use for the program but after exploding success, the money was almost tapped after just 4 short days.  The house is currently voting over the injection of another 2 billion today.

Chrysler Group LLC posted a -9.4% loss that was attributed to not doing any fleet sales and  running out of cars to sell because their plants have been closed during the whole Fiat transaction.

So far Subaru posted the biggest gain at 34.2% while others were less fortunate.  Maserati -49.5%, Daimler AG -24.2%, GM -19.4%, Honda -17.3% and Mazda -15.1%.

• Cash for Clunkers to pull the US from recession
• Ford boosting sales goals as they see the recession ending
• July 2009 Canadian new car sales numbers