American automakers dominate top 10 model list

Domestic automakers are celebrating after May sales totals came in, as many of the top-selling Japanese cars fell out of the top 10.

Typically, the list of best-selling models is dominated by the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks, followed closely by the seemingly unbeatable quartet of the Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, Honda Accord and Toyota Corolla.

Yet due to the Japanese earthquake and shifting market conditions, these four models all took a hit in May sales, falling out of the top 10. That allowed many domestic vehicles to jump up the list.

Chief among these was the redesigned Chevrolet Malibu, which became the best-selling car in the country, and third-best model overall (still falling behind the two trucks, technically not classified as "cars."). Nissan, which hasn't felt the sting of the earthquake as much as its rivals, was in fourth with its Altima.

The rest of the list was mostly dominated by American cars, something that hasn't really been seen in quite some time. The Ford Fusion, Focus, Escape and new Chevrolet Cruze all made their way onto the list, along with the Hyundai Sonata and Elantra.

Drivers interested in any of these vehicles may want to consider New Jersey State Auto Auction before they head to the new car dealership. Often, lightly-used versions of these popular models can be found at a heavy discount.