With new-vehicle sales expected to hit their highest level in five years, it has left some automakers “virtually out of stock” of some hot-selling vehicles, according to the 24/7 Wall Street website. In light of this dynamic, the publication has released a list of “Cars So Hot They Are Out of Stock,” a collection of the industry’s most difficult-to-find new vehicles last month.

Models included on the list spanned both ends of the pricing spectrum, officials noted. The Hyundai Elantra had the lowest days-to-turn (12) of all vehicles on the list, which included a wide mix of luxury- and mainstream-brand models.

BMW and Hyundai each had two vehicles make the list, while Audi, Kia, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Subaru and Toyota each were represented by one model.

“These are a mix mostly of extremely expensive cars and very inexpensive ones as heavy demand appears to be concentrated at both ends of the market,” wrote Douglas McIntyre, who authored the piece.

“Most years, a few car models are in short supply. This is because either a manufacturer underestimates demand or there is an interruption in supply because of manufacturing problems,” he added. “This year, heavy demand appears to be concentrated among those who want inexpensive and fuel-efficient cars at one end, and those consumers for whom price and gas mileage are not much of a consideration.”

The story emphasized analyses pointing to full-year sales projections of close to 13.5 million for 2011, which is a significant uptick considering the industry failed to reach 9 million just two years ago.

“The increase in buyer activity has been large enough that several car and light truck brands are virtually out of stock,” McIntyre noted.

The website turned to Edmunds.com to figure out which were the hardest-to-find vehicles, and came up with the following list:

10. Hyundai Elantra
Days to Turn: 12
Price: $16,445
Configuration: 4-cylinder, 4-door

9. Audi Q5
Days to Turn: 13
Price: $35,600
Configuration: Turbo 4-cylinder, 5-door

8. Kia Soul
Days to Turn: 13
Price: $13,900
Configuration: 4-cylinder — 16-valve, 5-door

7. Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Days to Turn: 14
Price: $38,140
Configuration: 6-cylinder hybrid, AWD 5-door

6. Hyundai Accent
Days to Turn: 15
Price: $14,195
Configuration: 4-cylinder, 4-door

5. Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Days to Turn: 15
Price: $48,990
Configuration: 6-cylinder, 5-door SUV

4. Subaru Outback
Days to Turn: 15
Price: $23,295
Configuration: 4-cylinder boxer engine, 5-door

3. BMW X3
Days to Turn: 15
Price: $36,850
Configuration: 6-cylinder, 5-door SUV

2. Lexus RX 450h
Days to Turn: 16
Price: $45,235
Configuration: 6-cylinder hybrid, 5-door SUV

1. BMW X6
Days to Turn: 16
Price: $59,300
Configuration:8-cylinder, 5-door crossover

The complete article can be read here.