NEW YORK -

Recapping some analysis from U.K.-based Bernstein Research, CNNMoney recently revealed a dozen models that dealers would be wise to keep on their lots.

And interestingly enough, the top three vehicles on the list of the 12 most profitable models were trucks from Big 3 automakers.

CNNMoney quoted Bernstein auto researcher Max Walburton as saying that the strongest “profit machine” ever to grace the auto industry is the Ford F-Series, noting that the F-150 has pulled in about $40 billion in profits since 1995.

“Warburton and his team tried to estimate which vehicles were the biggest money makers for their respective manufacturers,” CNNMoney noted. “It’s an impossible question to answer with certainty. Carmakers don’t share that sort of information publicly … If they did, the F-series would handily take the title, by Warburton’s estimation."

The model was followed by the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra (with $40 billion) in second, and the Dodge Ram (with $18 billion) in third.

As for the truck from General Motors that took the second, CNNMoney had this to say: “Put together, sales of General Motors two full-sized trucks nearly match — and sometimes exceed — those of Ford’s top-selling F-series. They’re very profitable for the same reasons, too: gigantic sales and simple body-on-frame engineering that hasn’t fundamentally changed in, literally, lifetimes."

Commenting on the Dodge model, editors added: “Yes, one more truck. By now, you know the story. But the Ram’s sales figures are smaller and, therefore, so are the profits.”

Another truck from Chrysler — the Jeep Grand Cherokee — placed ninth.

Looking more at the models that made the list, Mercedes-Benz and BMW each claimed two spots, accounting for Nos. 4–7. Toyota, including Lexus, grabbed two spots, as well.

Other automakers represented included Honda and Porsche.

The complete top 10 is as follows:

1. Ford F-150 ($40 billion)
2. Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra ($40 billion)
3. Dodge Ram ($18 billion)
4. Mercedes-Benz S-class ($15 billion)
5. BMW 5-series and X5 ($24 billion)*
6. BMW 3-Series ($17 billion)*
7. Mercedes-Benz E-Class ($13 billion)
8. Lexus RX ($12 billion)
9. Jeep Grand Cherokee ($7 billion)
10. Honda Accord ($11 billion)**
11. Porsche 911 ($10 billion)
12. Toyota Camry ($9 billion)

*Listed below S-class in the rankings “because the dollars are spread out across more model variants.”
**Listed below the Grand Cherokee “because the Accord generated its profit over three generations rather than, until very recently, one for the Grand Cherokee.”

To read the complete story from CNNMoney, visit money.cnn.com/galleries/2011/autos/1111/gallery.most_profitable_cars/index.html.