The best sellers of 2006

[mikeyb]

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/07fordf150_01c.jpg (http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=4023925)
We love this list. It comes around once a year (check out the numbers from 2005 (http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/115851/article.html) for comparison's sake) and offers the raw numbers that simply show what sold well in the U.S. that year. It's a list that seems to change little from year to year, but at the same time always surprises. Take last year's list, for example, which has been compiled by Forbes, the king of Top Ten lists on the web. As usual, the top two spots are occupied by the Ford F-Series (796,039) and Chevy Silverado (636,069). Those two powerhouse platforms, however, were far off the numbers they put up in 2005, and this year the race will be extremely tight with a brand new Silverado facing off against a seasoned F-150. The Toyota Camry is once again the best-selling car in the U.S. and managed to sell about 15,000 more units in 2006 than year prior, which gives a bit of credibility to the claim that cars are back. As usual, the Honda Accord (354,441) and Civic (316,638) occupy the middle ground, while the Nissan Altima (232,457) falls from 7th to 9th. It will likely hold there in 2007 or gain back lost ground if the new Altima finds favor with the public. Though Chevy always seems to have at least a couple models in the top ten, it still amazes us the brand moved that many Impalas (289,868) and Cobalts (211,449) in 2006. We expect to see the Malibu back on this list come 2008 after the new model has had its first full year of sales.

1. Ford F-Series 796,039
2. Chevrolet Silverado 636,069
3. Toyota Camry 448,445
4. Dodge Ram 364,177
5. Honda Accord 354,441
6. Honda Civic 316,638
7. Chevrolet Impala 289,868
8. Toyota Corolla 272,327
9. Nissan Altima 232,457
10. Chevrolet Cobalt 211,449

[Source: Forbes via KickingTires (http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2007/01/best_sellers.html)]

[ZoomZoomH]

does this sales number include fleet sales, because that would explain the Impala and Cobalt sales

[mikeyb]

does this sales number include fleet sales, because that would explain the Impala and Cobalt sales

I would think if it included fleet sales it would state that. Nissan has fleet sales for the Altima.

[mikeyb]

Mazda needs to knock the Cobalt off this list with the Mazda 3. I do not remember seeing a TV ad for the Cobalt but I see Mazda 3 TV ads all the time.

[ZoomZoomH]

Mazda needs to knock the Cobalt off this list with the Mazda 3. I do not remember seeing a TV ad for the Cobalt but I see Mazda 3 TV ads all the time.

there are A LOT more Chevy dealers around the country (particularly in the midwest) than Mazda dealers

even if the car is far superior, if there's no distribution channel, car won't be sold.

and actually, Cobalts aren't too shabby for a Chevy compact, a very nice upgrade from the Cavalier

[Donas64]

there are A LOT more Chevy dealers around the country (particularly in the midwest) than Mazda dealers

even if the car is far superior, if there's no distribution channel, car won't be sold.

and actually, Cobalts aren't too shabby for a Chevy compact, a very nice upgrade from the Cavalier

I'd rock a cobalt SS

[ZoomZoomH]

I'd rock a cobalt SS

(werd) me too

not at the expense of my 8 though, of course :D

[mikeyb]

(werd) me too

not at the expense of my 8 though, of course :D

Well of course not. I would do a Cobalt SS Supercharged. There is one in my family that is modded.

[mikeyb]

there are A LOT more Chevy dealers around the country (particularly in the midwest) than Mazda dealers

even if the car is far superior, if there's no distribution channel, car won't be sold.

and actually, Cobalts aren't too shabby for a Chevy compact, a very nice upgrade from the Cavalier.

Where I love there is just about a Chevrolet dealer in each town. There is only one Mazda dealer unless you want to drive 45 minutes.

The Cobalt is a hell of alot better then the Crapalier. Chevy has performance parts available.

[tunersteve]

Personally, I'm still not a fan of the Cobalt. The base models are just plain crap. The SS or Supercharged SS are actually pretty nice. But like ya said before, when every hillbilly town has a Chevy or Ford dealer, and not that many Mazda dealerships, it takes alot more for a Mazda to crack the top 10.

[Donas64]

Personally, I'm still not a fan of the Cobalt. The base models are just plain crap. The SS or Supercharged SS are actually pretty nice. But like ya said before, when every hillbilly town has a Chevy or Ford dealer, and not that many Mazda dealerships, it takes alot more for a Mazda to crack the top 10.

http://nouvelles.autonet.ca/FR/Neufs/Essais/2006/07/10/IMG_9632.JPG

If they would get the interior of the Cobalt SS up to spec and improve its quality a few notches, it would be a great little pocket rocket. It has very good handling stock and the ecotec motor is BEYOND proven to be a solid block. I'd take it with a more subtle wing though.

[sanblaster]

^^ I saw one next to me a couple of weeks ago on the road. They actually look prety nice.

[ZoomZoomH]

http://nouvelles.autonet.ca/FR/Neufs/Essais/2006/07/10/IMG_9632.JPG

If they would get the interior of the Cobalt SS up to spec and improve its quality a few notches, it would be a great little pocket rocket. It has very good handling stock and the ecotec motor is BEYOND proven to be a solid block. I'd take it with a more subtle wing though.

i thought the cobalt SS's interior was on par to that of the MSP, and i was quite comfortable sitting in it, with excellent ergonomics to all the controls

[Donas64]

so often people bash the cobalt though as american rice or other such nonsense. Its actually a very nice little car.

[kudakev615]

those number do include fleet sales. alot of the pickup sales are from construction contracts. alot fot the sales of the impalas sales are to government contracts too. take way these sales and lets see where the dust settles.

[kudakev615]

so often people bash the cobalt though as american rice or other such nonsense. Its actually a very nice little car.
have you ever sat in one? the interior is pure junk. ill fitting cheap plactic parts. crude dead axle rear suspension, tons of body roll, the worst shifter in history, the list goes on and on. you cant polish a turd

[Donas64]

have you ever sat in one? the interior is pure junk. ill fitting cheap plactic parts. crude dead axle rear suspension, tons of body roll, the worst shifter in history, the list goes on and on. you cant polish a turd

If you read my earlier post, you'll see that I said the interior quality needed to be improved. And despite its rear suspension design it handles quite well. I have sat in one. Overall its not as bad a car as people make it out to be. I'm talking about the SS supercharged here. I could care less about the base cobalt.

[bradicus18]

Let's not forget that because GM builds so many of the things, when they don't sell at MSRP, they practically give them away with rebates. You guys have driven past a domestic car lot before. You know how they pretty much have cars piled up on eachother. Oh and there is one Mazda dealership where I am. However, there are about 6-8 Chevrolet and Ford dealerships within 20 miles.

The domestics are becoming smarter now, and as good as the Cobalt/Impala/Etc. are now, they will be better next time around. Believe it or not, I actually like the new Saturn Aura (WTF?). Anyhow, that's my rant.

[Donas64]

Let's not forget that because GM builds so many of the things, when they don't sell at MSRP, they practically give them away with rebates. You guys have driven past a domestic car lot before. You know how they pretty much have cars piled up on eachother. Oh and there is one Mazda dealership where I am. However, there are about 6-8 Chevrolet and Ford dealerships within 20 miles.

The domestics are becoming smarter now, and as good as the Cobalt/Impala/Etc. are now, they will be better next time around. Believe it or not, I actually like the new Saturn Aura (WTF?). Anyhow, that's my rant.

The aura is a decent car. If GM had been making cars like that 4 years ago, they would be in much better shape now.

[vindication]

I'd rock a cobalt SS
yeah, me too. I'd throw rocks at it.

[Donas64]

yeah, me too. I'd throw rocks at it.

Hater! :)