The cash for clunkers program is almost ready for roll out. It’s a two-pronged attack to help boost the ailing US auto industry and to keep gas-guzzling older models off the roads. But with the attractiveness of smaller and economical cars from the Pacific for the credit, will the program really do the US any good?

Take for example Honda which listed almost all of its models except for the S2000 roadster, the Accord V6 Coupe manual and the FCX Clarity as eligible for the tax credit. That means almost all their cars are economical and eco-friendly.

• 2009 Fit – All models
• 2010 Insight – All models
• 2009 Civic – All models
• 2009 Accord – All models except V6 Coupe with manual transmission
• 2009 CR-V – All models
• 2009 Element – All models
• 2009 – 2010 Pilot – All models including 2WD and 4WD
• 2009 – 2010 Odyssey – All models

And who wouldn’t buy a Honda? They do sure have quality builds and score quite fine in reliability rankings. But doesn’t this mean that taxpayer dollars will ultimately benefit Japan instead? Oh well, good news for Honda fans though. $4,500 off a Fit or a Civic’s very nice indeed.