All carmakers want their vehicles to sell in big numbers. And they make a big fuss out of it when they succeed, especially when they top the sales charts in their respective segments. However, high sale numbers don’t necessarily translate to high profits, especially with the discounts that have become a common practice to draw customers to dealerships.

A recent study conducted by Max Warburton of Bernstein Research, a market trends and analysis firm, reveals which models sold in the U.S. are the most profitable for automakers.

Despite being blamed for almost anything, from the greenhouse effect to the costly bailout a couple of years ago, the study shows that Detroit’s Big Three light-truck models lead the list of the most profitable vehicles in the U.S.

The number one spot goes to the Ford F-Series, with GM’s Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks coming in second and Chrysler’s Ram completing the top three.

Admittedly, the survey includes data since 1990, so the current economic and environmental factors are downplayed compared to what is actually happening today. Still, during this period, the three top trucks netted a combined $108 billion pre-tax profit.

According to Warburton, the reason why trucks are so profitable is a combination of high prices, high volumes and long tenure in the market. Moreover, unlike passenger cars, trucks employ simpler and cheaper technology, further increasing the profit margin, and even when they are upgraded they often use carry-over parts from the models they replace.

Trucks are not the only high-profit vehicles in the list: the Mercedes-Benz S-Class ranks in fourth place followed by the BMW 5- and 3-Series, and the E-Class.

Big SUVs, like the Lexus RX and the Jeep Grand Cherokee, are next while U.S. market best-sellers, such as the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry, are also included in the list, mainly due to their high volumes.

The Porsche 911, on the other hand, which takes a place between the Accord and the Camry, may not be as common, but it practically owns its segment and certainly commands a much higher price tag.

Story Sources: Bernstein Research via New York Times

Bernstein Research’s list of the most profitable vehicles in the USA since 1990:

1. Ford F-Series2. General Motors pickups3. Chrysler Ram4. Mercedes S-Class5. BMW 5 Series6. BMW 3 Series7. Mercedes E-Class8. Lexus RX9. Jeep Grand Cherokee10. Honda Accord11. Porsche 91112. Toyota Camry

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