wassystyle

Where there are winners, there are inevitably losers. Last year was exceedingly kind to big pickups, sprawling family sedans and SUVs, but not every model came out of 2011 with big sales figures. We took the time to dig through the low-selling models of the past 12 months to find out which vehicles produced throughout the year were the biggest duds. Since we aren't interested in how few Lamborghini Aventador models rolled off of dealer lots in the U.S. in 2011, we kept the MSRP under $100,000.

Our criteria immediately nixed vehicles like the Mazda RX-8, Volvo V50, Ram Cargo Van and everything in the Saab stable due to the fact that those models weren't manufactured through all 12 months of 2011. High-end metal like the Mercdes-Benz SL, CL and G classes were also kicked to the curb due to our price ceiling. Which was the worst of them all? We'll give you a hint. It wasn't the Acura ZDX. Hit the jump to check out our list of the worst-selling vehicles of 2011.
Top 10 Worst-Selling Vehicles of 2011

10. Subaru Tribeca
MSRP: $30,595
Units Sold: 2,791

9. Mazda Tribute
MSRP: $20,555
Units Sold: 2,696

8. Mercedes-Benz R-Class
MSRP: $52,690
Units Sold: 2,385

7. Suzuki Equator
MSRP: $17,899
Units Sold: 2,127

6. Cadillac Escalade EXT*
MSRP: $63,060
Units Sold: 2,036

5. Toyota Land Cruiser
MSRP: $68,920
Units Sold: 1,662

4. Acura ZDX
MSRP: $46,020
Units Sold: 1,564

3. Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback*
MSRP: $18,395
Units Sold: 1,548

2. Hyundai Azera
MSRP: $25,495
Units Sold: 1,524

1. Acura RL
MSRP: $47,700
Units Sold: 1,096

*There was some contention over whether these vehicles classify as truly separate models from their line. After much debate, it was decided we would adhere to the same standards of model differentiation manufacturers use when reporting sales figures.

wassystyle

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/t...011/#continued

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

I don't know if that Merc R is a failure or not. Isn't it supposed to be a very limited niche product? I mean it seems it's pretty damn expensive for what it is.

All the other cars make sense to be on the list.

KillerG

i just came to post this lol, acura finally wins first place in a top 10 list!

:gheywave:

chill_dog

Looking at the list, I'm not surprised at any of them. Some are obvious because they are ugly/suck, some because they are truly limited production (ie. they don't plan on selling many). End of the day, a whole lotta duh here.

F23A4

I suspect there's simply not a big enough market to justify any notable sales of luxury touring wagons....not to mention it looks like a minivan. The R being on this list makes me wonder how well the BMW 5 series Gran Turismo sells.

All that said, this list has to be taken in the context of what the manufacturers' sales projections were at the time the 'GOOD TO GO' was given on their development.

phile

Shame about the Equator, it's a Nissan Frontier underneath (which is a pretty good pedigree), and it's cheap and comes with a great warranty.

Edward'TLS

Shit, Acura has two entries in that list, and they are both top-of-the-line models.

Aman

Acura won!

pttl

Thats because the big Ack is twice as good as everyone else!

Legend2TL

As strange as this sounds a teacher I had for a program management course I took recently told us that one of the R's intended markets was the luxury limo business. This teacher is a ex-IBM program manager who worked for MB on the Sprinter van as a contract program manager.

I know alot on here rag the 2G RL, but I really like the pre-MMC. My only problem with it is there's no 6MT and fuel economy is pretty poor.

Moog-Type-S

Congrats on the win, Acura!!

Aman

I think the majority of people on here like the RL, even without the option of an MT.

The problem is Acura has left it on the market for way too long, and it just does not make any rational sense to buy a new RL anymore. Used buys are great, though.

charliemike

I've never heard of the Equator so Suzuki probably should have spent more getting the word out ...

And Mitsubishi ruined the Sportback .. The concept was amazing. The car in production was just another bland car.

Black Tire

Oh great...Acura is in #1 and #4 in the wrong kind of list.

Moog-Type-S

Toyota Land Cruiser
MSRP: $68,920
Units Sold: 1,662

Who are these 1,662 morons that bought this $70k dinosaur?!?!?!?

phile

^ the people who couldn't shell out the additional 10K to get the Lexus version

biker

^ or wanted an alternative to the Escalade?

While not popular in the US, it is overseas, especially in the middle east.

phile

the thing with the Land Cruiser is that it's so expensive, yet Toyota really retains it as a Toyota - you don't get the nice wood accents that the Lexus version gets, you don't get projector/HIDs headlights, the interior isn't quite as nice as the Lexus.

i can see the appeal if people didn't want the Lexus's frou frou bells and whistles, but it's not like the LC is spartan itself. it's actually really nice - just not for 70K

F23A4

Makes sense (re: R) and with regard to the pre-MMC. It's 17/23 fuel economy is pretty much the same as my 09 MDX yet, without the utility.

Rock2534

Poor Tribeca! LOL, it never sold too well, although we love our 09. I wouldn't have paid full price for it, but couldn't pass on the deal we got. It has been a great vehicle so far.

myron

iTrader: (4)

hahaha Acura wins the loser contest.

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

Good job Acura!

silver3.5

The TL should be on that list as well! I wonder how Acura feels right now?

Mr Marco

The cost of exclusivity?

$47,700

Acura RL
Units Sold: 1,096

Ken1997TL

Acura sold 31,000 TL's in 2011...

joedokes28

Your comment obviously shows you know nothing about the capability of the Land Cruiser.

I would take one of those in a heartbeat. Truly an amazing vehicle for those who like to venture off the pavement. I sat in one at the auto show last year and it's is miles above the rest of the Toyota line in terms of build quality.

It's not for everybody, but it is a great vehicle.