Car companies aren't the only ones adjusting their leasing outlook

Thanks to the falling prices of used vehicles, especially trucks and SUVs, GM and Ford are scaling back their leasing programs, and Chrysler is getting out of the game altogether. This morning I had a chat with Sergio Stiberman, the CEO of LeaseTrader.com, and he had some interesting data from the secondary market. LeaseTrader.com is a site where people who hold auto leases can sell them to other people—instead of paying a big penalty to cancel the lease.

What deals are being made on LeaseTrader.com these days? Not surprisingly, big cars are out, and smaller ones are in. Here's a list of the top ten most-transferred leases in January:

1. BMW 3 Series

2. Mercedes C Class
3. BMW X Series
4. Land Rover Sport
5. Cadillac Escalade
6. Cadillac CTS
7. BMW 5 Series
8. Mercedes SL Class
9. Mercedes E350
10. Mercedes S550

This is what the list looked like in June:

1.
BMW 
3 
Series



2.
Mini
 Cooper

3.
Mercedes 
C
 Class


4.
Toyota
 Camry



5.
Cadillac 
CTS


6.
Mercedes
 SL 
Class


7.
Land
 Rover 
LR3


8.
Lexus
 IS 
250


9.
BMW 
X
 Series


10.
Mercedes 
GL 
Class



Good-bye, Escalade—and don't let the door hit you on the way out, Land Rover. Hello, Mini Cooper and Camry.

Barbara!