Some sources talk of a slight comeback this end of the year/next year. Well, if so it’s an awfully weak one. Annual car sales in 2009 are likely to end up at the lowest level in years, down more than 40 percent from their peak in 2005.

The worst months came in the spring, punctuated by the bankruptcy filings of General Motors and Chrysler – two big companies that were going down, rocket speed. How much good did the “cash for clunkers” programme do? Hard to say, now that the free give-aways are over companies have to come up with affordable, reliable cars to produce profit on their own.

For almost everyone and from almost any point of view, this low sales thing is bad news. But it does make a top of 10 cars that do sell even more relevant. I mean, if these cars sell well NOW, they must be really worth it, right?

Ford Fusion - the mid-sizen sedan of great taste from Ford, price starts at only $28,000. No wonder this is America’s most popular passenger car, with sales of the entire Fusion lineup rising 15 percent this year.

Ford Fusion 2010

Dodge Challenger – the exception in Chrysler’s sad family, this (almost) muscle car looks fine and is priced at around $23,000 – $24,000. Sales of about 21,000 units this year make the Challenger just about the only Chrysler product showing signs of life.

Dodge Challanger - here a srt

Chevrolet Camaro – the much expected muscle car, brand new and shinning, can by yours for as little as $23,000! Good old Chevy saw a sunny summer, cause fans purchasing nearly 50,000 Camaros since the car debuted.

Good old Chevy Camaro!

Hyundai Genesis – quite the first luxury-targeted car from the Asian maker, tarting price of about $33,000 it’s way more affordable than most Lexuses, Audis and others out there. Sales of 18,000 units so far make it a popular car indeed.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

Honda Insight – the new Honda hybrid came as a real valid alternative for the Prius, being some $2,500 cheaper too. That’s around $20,000 as a starting price. Way to go Honda! No wonder they sold 18,000 Insights since the car went on sale in the spring, which has helped the Japanese automaker do better than most big players in the industry.

Honda Insight sedan

Lexus RX 350 – Talking about luxury … this crossover is the only model in its category with a hybrid variant, which has helped boost sales by 8 percent this year. Quite a few Lexus fans, and not only, let some $35-36,000 go for this beauty.

Lexus RS 350

Mercedes GLK – one of the lowest priced Mercedeses out there, and it’s, just like the Lexus above, a crossover! With starting price of about $37,000. Mercedes has been selling about 18,000 GLKs since the car debuted earlier this year, trumping challengers like the Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Acura RDX.

Mercedes-Benz glk350, white power!

Subaru Legacy – Subaru and Hyundai are the only makers in the world that have increased sales this year. Wow! Must be due to great fun cars like the Legacy that stars just under $20k.

Subaru Legacy, here 2.5i

Volkswagen CC – first thing about the CC is that it’s now a low-budget car! (unlike most on this top) However this half-luxury half-speed sedan sold 18,000 units since introducing it late last year, making VW one proud German maker for sure. Base of the (highly recommended) Luxury version: $31,990, no more no less.

Vvolkswagen CC luxury

Toyota Venza – Toyota is the biggest carmaker in the world, so we had to have at least one in out top 15 sellers. Half-sedan, half SUV and 100% hot seller, the Venza can boast with the handsome price of $27,000 and mileage in the low 20s. May be last montioned but not last by sales, as Toyota made some 45,000 units of the Venza vvvrrroooom of distributors so far!

The big bad Venza, from Toyota