Why does the Nissan Altima sell as well as it does?  According to Nissan sales data, in April 2008 Nissan sold the following number of vehicles in North America:

Altima 22,630
All Nissan cars  41,943
All Nissan trucks 24,375
All Nissan cars and trucks 66,318
All Infiniti cars and trucks 9,537

Thus, in April 2008, the Altima accounted for more than 1 of 2 Nissan cars sold, more than 1 of 3 total Nissan vehicles sold (cars and trucks), and out sold all Infiniti vehicles combined by about 2.5 to 1.

Does the Altima sell so well for Nissan, relative to its other vehicles, because Altima is in the best selling car category?  Note that the Toyota Camry out sells the Altima in North America by about 1.5 to 1.  However, in April 2008 Toyota had 17.5% of the US auto market, and Nissan had 6.1%, meaning that Altima accounts for a much higher percentage of vehicle sales for Nissan than Camry does for Toyota. 

My speculation would be that its because its the Nissan version of the Camry and Accord which are those brands highest selling models.  Its an economical family sedan.  You'd probably find that the Mazda6 is the best selling mazda (just a guess based on my previous assumption)

Thanks Sean... I was trying to remember if it was being called the Taurus again or not, and as for the Impala... I know IT'S sales are definitely being helped by the great redesign it received this year.  My guess would be Ford and Chevy probably sell a lot more SUVs and Trucks than cars these days, but I WOULDN'T be surprised to find that these makers have less disparity between their family sedan sales, and smaller models like the focus, and a popular two-door mustang. 

I love the way they have the 3.5/3.7 VQ(?) and get tons of awards, and the 2.5 is the exact opposite..