To find our best- and worst-selling vehicles of 2007, we looked at year-to-date sales data on a model-by-model basis, as compiled by Automotive News, which relies on regular sales reports from automakers. Finding the best-sellers was easy, but since model-year transitions vary depending on the manufacturer and model, when picking out the worst sellers, we looked past models that only sold for part of the year or were being introduced or phased out. With each respective vehicle, best or worst, we consulted data for the same ten-month period for 2006 and indicate the percentage change from a year ago.
1. Cadillac XLR
January to October '07 sales: 1,525
Vs. January to October '06: down 42.7%The XLR roadster is a home-grown, elegant grand tourer, based on the Chevy Corvette, and assembled alongside it, yet with luxury and high-tech features to draw sales from buyers who might consider the Mercedes-Benz SL or BMW 6-Series. Unfortunately, the XLR isn't coming close to those models in sales, especially after this year's decline.
2. Mazda B-Series
January to October '07 sales: 2,363
Vs. January to October '06: Down 35.3%The B-Series pickup, essentially a Mazda-badged version of the Ranger, one of Ford's most outdated products, doesn't necessarily keep with the "Zoom Zoom" image of the rest of the brand's car and SUV lines. Enough said.
3. Isuzu Ascender
January to October '07 sales: 2,523
Vs. January to October '06: Down 40.3%In 2003, Isuzu's flagship Trooper model, well-respected for its off-road prowess, was replaced with the Ascender, which is mechanically similar to the Chevrolet Trailblazer and GMC Envoy. The Ascender now has a streamlined model lineup and is only available in a five-passenger configuration with a V-6 engine.
4. Jaguar X-Type
January to October '07 sales: 2,599
Vs. January to October '06: Down 44.2%Jaguar introduced the X-Type, which features the brand's classy styling and traditional English ambiance in a compact sedan or sport wagon, in 2001, but it never quite found its stride. The automaker recently announced it would be discontinuing the X-Type after the 2008 model year.
5. Jaguar S-Type
January to October '07 sales: 2,973
Vs. January to October '06: Down 44.3%Jaguar's mid-size sedan has been largely unchanged since the start of this decade, and though the introduction of the powerful R model a few years ago spurred sales, they've been on the down slope as of late--especially after word has spread about the beautiful new XF that's soon replacing it.
6. Audi A8/S8
January to October '07 sales: 3,092
Vs. January to October '06: Down 27.2%Audi's big, aluminum-bodied luxury car has fine materials and features, along with powerful engines--including a Lamborghini-derived V-10 in the S8--and of course, Quattro all-wheel drive across the line. Yet it hasn't kept pace with competitors like the BMW 7-Series or the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
7. Porsche Boxster
January to October '07 sales: 3,148
Vs. January to October '06: Down 21.5%Porsche's smaller, more affordable roadster has evolved over the years to be much more powerful, and its interior was positively revamped for 2005. Yet its sales are falling, and are now at a fraction of what they were earlier in the decade. For 2008, sales might be sparked by a new limited edition Boxster that borrows its orange-and-black paint scheme and other racy appearance cues from last year's exclusive 911 GT3 RS.
8. Lexus SC430
January to October '07 sales: 3,311
Vs. January to October '06: Down 33.2%With a V-8 engine and sophisticated hardtop convertible arrangement, plus the Lexus reputation for top-shelf service, you might think the SC430 is a shoe-in for warm-weather scenesters. But luxury coupe buyers are a finicky, style-conscious bunch, so it's really no surprise the SC430 is falling out of fashion, six years after its introduction.
9. Isuzu i-290/370
January to October '07 sales: 3,575
Vs. January to October '06: Up 21.1%Once upon a time, Isuzu made its own pickups. Now the i-290 and i-370 are essentially Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon clones, with only subtle appearance differences. For 2007, the former i-280 and i-350 got slightly larger engines, and surprisingly, sales have perked up a bit.
10. Jaguar XJ
January to October '07 sales: 3,637
Vs. January to October '06: Down 11.2%Sadly, the latest XJ never has found the respect it deserves, and sales appear to be on the down slope until the next one arrives. With its lightweight aluminum body, unexpectedly brisk performance and lithe handling, plus the opulent materials and uniquely British character inside, the XJ and supercharged XJR won't disappoint. The XJ is getting a number of cosmetic changes for 2008 that may warrant a second look.
Click here to see the best-selling vehicles of 2007.