America's top-selling cars are trucks.

The Ford F-series pickup is the hottest selling vehicle, while Chevrolet's Silverado pickup came in at No. 2, according to 2006 statistics from J.D. Power and Associates, which tracks the industry. The Dodge Ram, a similarly sized pickup, ranks fourth in sales.

The Toyota Camry (No. 3) and the Honda Accord (No. 5) were the only cars to make the top five.

The sales figures are for the number of vehicles sold during calendar year 2006 -- the latest available -- and include both 2006 and 2007 models.

So what puts a vehicle on the top-seller list?

"Several things have to combine and come together," says Tom Libby, a senior director of industry analysis for J.D. Power. Most are midsized sedans, compacts or large trucks, he says. "And it has to be a brand that has a large distribution network and large marketing budget."

 "You won't see Mitsubishi or Volvo in the top 20," he says. "It has to be a mass-market brand. It's got to be a mainstream brand."

Top 10 sellers	Select a vehicle: Ford F-Series Chevrolet Silverado Toyota Camry Dodge Ram Pickup Honda Accord Toyota Corolla Honda Civic Chevrolet Impala Nissan Altima Chevrolet Cobalt
Ford F-Series: Ford's F-Series line of trucks will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2008 and is anchored by the F-150 half-ton pickup that has been the best-selling vehicle in the U.S. for almost two dozen years and the best-selling truck for longer than that. The F-150's seven models range from the XL with a base price of $19,200 to the Harley Davidson starting at $37,210. Number sold in 2006: 764,198   Source: Bankrate.com
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Size plays a big part in why the large pickup trucks continue to place well, year after year, he says. Large pickups account for 13 percent of the industry, Libby says. "There aren't that many competitors."

And a wide variety of engines and body styles might be what gives Ford the edge.

"Ford has so many different cabs and configurations, it appeals to a wide variety of consumers," says Libby.

Alex Rosten, an industry analyst for Edmunds AutoObserver agrees. "There are 40 to 50 variations of that model -- half-ton, three-quarter ton and full ton versions," he says.