Fooled again. That’s how I feel. I thought for sure that this month would see inexpensive, fuel-efficient cars flying off lots faster than anything else — tied in to the Cash for Clunkers phenomenon, of course. Yet the fastest sellers this month had a definite luxury bent to them, with the Audi Q5 topping everyone. Audi’s smallest SUV was released a few months ago and is picking up steam, as it now sells about four days after hitting lots. While new models make up most of the Movers list, the Cash for Clunkers program did impact sale times. The Ford Focus, one of the most popular Clunker purchases, went from 128 days to sell in June to 121 days in July. However, cars didn’t move faster overall. The average time for all cars increased from 79 days in June to 83 days in July. I fully expect next month’s numbers to be more slanted for Clunker models, but I could be wrong yet again.

July 2009 Movers

• 2010 Audi Q5: 4 days
• 2010 Lexus RX 450h: 7 days
• 2010 Toyota Prius: 8 days
• 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 coupe: 9 days
• 2010 Scion tC: 9 days
• 2010 Scion xB: 9 days
• 2010 Subaru Outback: 9 days
• 2010 Chevy Camaro: 11 days
• 2010 Chevy Equinox: 12 days
• 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 sedan: 12 days
• 2010 Toyota Sienna: 14 days
• 2009 Toyota RAV4: 15 days
• 2010 Subaru Forester: 15 days
• 2010 Acura TSX: 17 days
• 2010 Toyota Tundra: 17 days
• 2009 Toyota Highlander: 19 days
• 2010 Ford Edge: 19 days
• 2010 Lexus RX 350: 19 days

July 2009 Losers

• 2009 Saab 9-3 sedan: 235 days
• 2009 Kia Spectra5: 229 days
• 2009 Mitsubishi Galant: 214 days
• 2009 Chevy Cobalt coupe: 209 days
• 2009 Chevy Aveo5: 209 days
• 2009 Pontiac G6 convertible: 208 days
• 2009 Chevy HHR: 206 days
• 2009 Pontiac G5: 204 days
• 2009 Chevy Colorado: 202 days
• 2009 Mitsubishi Eclipse: 198 days
• 2009 Cadillac STS: 198 days

About the Lists
The Movers and Losers lists report the average number of days it takes to sell models from the day they arrive on the lot until the final paperwork is signed by a buyer. This is not a days of inventory list like you may find on other sites. We’re now focusing on only the 2009 and 2010 model years.For Movers, we only list vehicles that pass a certain threshold of sales in order to weed out limited editions, models that are being phased out or other factors that might skew the numbers or otherwise inaccurately portray popularity. For the Top 10 Losers, we lower that threshold greatly because low sales bolster the Loser claim, though they could also indicate other factors, like a model being phased out.