I’ve got a friend in Connecticut who loves the 2011 Ford Explorer–and planned to buy one as soon as they came to his local dealer. Thing is, he still has yet to see one there, let alone get a test drive.
It’s no surprise. NADA Guides just released its Most In-Demand report, which lists the most popular new cars with the most limited availability, and the Explorer figures prominently near the top.
NADA made the list by compiling the 25 most in-demand vehicles currently on the market based on overall sales during April and on consumer interest on NADAguides.com. Then it pared the group down to vehicles with fewer than 30 days-supply of inventory. (Day supply is the number of units currently in inventory divided by the average number of unit sales of that vehicle per month.)
Here are the six vehicles that emerged, along with a similar, more available car that could work as an alternative:
• 2011 Ford Explorer
Year-over-year sales for the Ford Explorer grew by nearly 138 percent, helping it rank No. 22 in overall industry vehicle sales during April.
Consumer Interest Ranking: 14
Day Supply: 29 days
MSRP: $28,360
Alternative: 2011 GMC Acadia ($32,000), which ended April with 68 days-supply of inventory.
• 2011 Honda Civic – The Honda Civic stayed relatively consistent in year-over-year sales with an increase of just over seven percent, ranking as the No. 5 overall most purchased vehicle in April 2011.
Consumer Interest Ranking: 23
Day Supply: 23 days
MSRP: $15,805
Alternative: 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer ($15,195), which ended April with 88 days-supply of inventory.
• 2011 Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra increased nearly 117 percent in sales year-over-year, selling 20,918 units in April 2011 as compared to 9,657 units in April 2010, and ranking 12 in overall industry vehicle sales during April 2011.
Consumer Interest Ranking: 10
Day Supply: 12 days
MSRP: $14,945
Alternative: 2011 Suzuki SX4 ($13,499), which ended April with 94 days-supply of inventory.
• 2011 Hyundai Sonata
Hyundai Sonata’s year-over-year sales increased more than 17 percent, ranking eighth in overall vehicle industry sales during April 2011.
Consumer Interest Ranking: 1
Day Supply: 27 days
MSRP: $19,395
Alternative: 2011 Nissan Altima ($20,270), which ended April with 64 days-supply of inventory.
• 2011 Kia Sorento
The Kia Sorento increased in year-over-year vehicle sales by more than 41 percent, helping the Kia Sorento inch its way into the top 25 in overall industry vehicles sales, ranking 24 in April 2011.
Consumer Interest Ranking: 4
Day Supply: 29 days
MSRP: $20,995
Alternative: 2011 Mazda CX-7 ($21,990), which ended April with 67 days-supply of inventory.
• 2011 Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius ranked 23 in overall vehicle sales and remained relatively consistent year-over-year from April 2010 to April 2011, decreasing by less than one percent.
Consumer Interest Ranking: 23
Day Supply: 10
MSRP: $22,120
Alternative: 2011 Honda CR-Z ($19,345), which ended April with 69 days-supply of inventory.
Click here to see the full list of America's Most Popular Cars
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