Other notorious flops on the top 10 list include the sedate Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedan, the virtually forgotten Acura RL luxury sedan and Lincoln MKT crossover luxury SUV, the otherwise amenable BMW 1 Series and a few longstanding models that were just plain getting long in the tooth, including the Hyundai Azera, Lexus GS and Toyota Yaris.

FORBES: Biggest New-Car Sales Flops For 2011

Available in front- and all-wheel-drive versions, the stylish midsize hybrid luxury crossover SUV is quicker and gets better mileage than its gasoline powered equivalent.

FORBES: Luxury Cars That Get 30 MPG Or Better

Cars compete in broad, crowded segments: sedan, minivan, SUV, crossover, luxury, performance and so on.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Nissan says a bigger shift is on the horizon: it plans to move production of its two popular sport-utility vehicles to the U.S. The small Rogue crossover is scheduled to make the move this year, while the next generation of the Murano luxury SUV will follow when production is expected to begin in 2014.

WSJ: Weaker Yen Is Mixed Bag for Japan Auto Makers