stasisLAX From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3267 posts, RR: 6 Posted (12 months 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 4233 times:
Mitsubishi has announced that it is discontinuing the Galant sedan, the Endeavor CUV, and the Eclipse sports coupe in the USA marketplace due to very poor sales. The Galant (which was assembled in a US plant) has mainly been sold to rental car fleets for the past several model years. This leaves Mitsubishi with only a couple of models (the Lancer is the only sedan left, the Outlander is the only SUV/CUV) to sell in North America.
Suzuki is another manufacturer that has never performed well in the USA. As a former Suzuki owner myself (and my sister owed a Sidekick), I can personally attest to the fact that Suzuki has a very poor dealer network in the US, and getting parts when repairs are needed are very costly and takes alot of time to secure.
Mazda is trying to broaden its appeal with a new Mazda6 sedan this year, but Miata sports car is a very old platform now (and completely overshadowed by the new Scion FRS and Subie BRZ). The current Mazda3 model line-up is keeping Mazda afloat in the US market. Of course, the RX-8 is now defunct, with no replacement currently on the horizon.
Lotus is another dying (actuallly dead) brand in the US, although it was never the competitor to Porsche that was invisioned by Lotus' parent company. Jaguar continues to struggle in the US market, and Fiat had come nowhere near its sales expectations with its new 500 coupe.
Lincoln is also on life-support, and was nearly murdered by Ford when they discontinued the entire Mercury brand.
I think Mitsubishi will be the first manufacturer to depart the market, closely followed by Suzuki. Their dealer networks is spotty at best, even here in the large Phoenix market. Whats your thoughts or additions to the list, fellow motorheads?
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety!" B.Franklin
poLot From United States of America, joined Jul 2011, 1500 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (12 months 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 4158 times:
Quoting NASCARAirforce (Reply 2): What about Suburu? I don't see much of their cars anymore in terms of new ones.
They are actually doing very good. They were one of the few automakers a few years ago that was increasing its sales as other brands were falling, and they are still gaining.
ltbewr From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 12337 posts, RR: 12 Reply 4, posted (12 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 4141 times:
One brand that is dead, and not just in the NA market, is Saab.
A major problem for many smaller manufacturers is the need to meet our pollution and safety standards with high costs and uncompetitive pricing if don't sell enough units to pay for the overhead costs to meet them.
Mitsubishi is pretty much gone anyway in the USA with Fiat now owning much of Chrysler after 40 years of partnership between Mitsubishi and Chrysler. Mitsubishi's sales are dropping like a rock in Japan and elsewhere too. An expensive manufacturing base in Japan, I think they shut down their Australian plant (until 1980 a Chrysler plant) in recent years, the growth of Hyundai-KIA and more recently, China's fast growing new carmakes is going to chase them out of the car business in many markets.
Mazda is also seeing dropping sales worldwide and at a worse rate than Mitsubishi. Ford ditched most of their ownership of them a few years ago. They make most of their cars in Japan so hurt by the poor exchange rates. They may choose not to continue making the 6 model with it's next revision in the USA (built in joint plant in Michigan now mainly used for the Mustang). Their rotary engine speciality is pretty much gone due to the poor fuel mileage they have and there is a limit on how many 2 seater sports cars you can sell.
Suzuki, like Mitsubishi, is pretty much a goner in the USA market and elsewhere as to cars, they too are being bashed by Hyundai/Kia here, have a weak dealer network and really have a limited range of models.
Someone mentioned Subaru. Some models are made in the USA, but most of their models and many components are made in expensive Japan. In the USA, most of it's market is in the snowier sections of the USA, so while they are weak in the southern half, they probably have enough of a base to hold in the NA market for the foreseeable future.
DocLightning From United States of America, joined Nov 2005, 16825 posts, RR: 57 Reply 5, posted (12 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 4124 times:
Quoting stasisLAX (Thread starter): Lincoln is also on life-support, and was nearly murdered by Ford when they discontinued the entire Mercury brand.
Was a time back in the early 1990's when the name "Lincoln" competed very well with "Cadillac." A number of families in my (pretty upscale) neighborhood drove shiny Lincolns. Today, Lincoln seems to have been relegated to livery car fleets and a battleship of an SUV.
The US is a tough auto market. You need a massive dealer network that can handle with both state and federal regulations. There are vast geographic differences, with our country encompassing just about every geological and meteorological environment that exists on our planet, from arctic blizzards to roasting salt deserts to volcanic tropical islands. The distances involved are enormous. There are as many as six time zones from Honolulu to New York. It's difficult to establish oneself in the market. Bottom line, there is only room for a few giants.
stasisLAX From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3267 posts, RR: 6 Reply 6, posted (12 months 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 4071 times:
Quoting ltbewr (Reply 4): They may choose not to continue making the 6 model with it's next revision in the USA (built in joint plant in Michigan now mainly used for the Mustang).
Mazda has sold out its share in the Flat Rock joint manufacturing (AutoAlliance) plant to Ford, which Mazda had operated since 1982. Ford builds the Mustang and the Fusion at this plant now, taking up the slack from the Mazda6 sedan that used to be assembled there.
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety!" B.Franklin
1337Delta764 From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 5770 posts, RR: 2 Reply 7, posted (12 months 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 3880 times:
Mitsubishi is still strong in Puerto Rico, where the Lancer is one of the best-selling sedans on the island (alongside the Toyota Yaris and Toyota Corolla). However, they are very weak in the mainland US.
[Edited 2012-05-27 15:36:51]
The Pink Delta 767-400ER - The most beautiful aircraft in the sky
GSPflyer From United States of America, joined Jul 2010, 351 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (12 months 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 3859 times:
Quoting poLot (Reply 3): They are actually doing very good. They were one of the few automakers a few years ago that was increasing its sales as other brands were falling, and they are still gaining.
Subaru isn't selling in large numbers like other brands in the U.S., but I heard that they probably have the best customer loyalty of any brand. I heard that a huge percentage of Subaru drivers that will end up buying another Subaru. They also look to sell in higher volumes in different geographic regions....I live in the Southeast, and don't see too many here, but I was in Western Massachusetts a few weeks ago, and they seem to have a large chunk of the market there.
I would say Suzuki and Mitsubishi are endangered brands in the North American market. If those two go away, I think the outlook for Mazda would improve, and they would be safe.
I also think that as a result of Hyundai and Kia improving their product, Nissan seems to be having problems, at least in this area. They seem to be marketing their newer models (Juke, Cube) to younger people, which happens to be a demographic that can't afford to spend too much on a car.
Dreadnought From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 7790 posts, RR: 22 Reply 9, posted (12 months 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 3851 times:
Quoting GSPflyer (Reply 8): Subaru isn't selling in large numbers like other brands in the U.S., but I heard that they probably have the best customer loyalty of any brand.
My family bought its first Subaru about 11 years ago, and we are now on our fourth one. That's how much we think of it. The Outback is probably about the most versatile, well-built family car that's ever been made - an excellent balance between size and efficiency, excellent engineering and reliability, and as an added bonus it will go just about anywhere.
Oh, did I mention we like them?
Mazda also makes great cars - I've never even heard of one breaking down, but they've always been a little outside the mainstream in the US - can't figure out why.
Suzuki and Mitsubishi suffer from an image of poor quality (not just quality of construction but poor design as well). It might not be fair, deriving from mistakes made 10-15 years ago, but they have never recovered. I still hear people talk about Suzuki as "those cars tip over".
TheRedBaron From Mexico, joined Mar 2005, 1699 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (12 months 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 3812 times:
My closest friend had a Suzuki, rolled over at 30 km/h ...my wife Spamking new Mazda 5 has been 2 months on the shop due to a faulty steering wheel module that fails. (for the 2 time.) POS.
My VW sportwagen on the other hand is AWESOME, perfect car.
KiwiRob From New Zealand, joined Jun 2005, 5305 posts, RR: 3 Reply 11, posted (12 months 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 3726 times:
Quoting stasisLAX (Thread starter): but Miata sports car is a very old platform now (and completely overshadowed by the new Scion FRS and Subie BRZ).
No it's not, the current platform for the MX5 was released in 2006, it was not a carryover from the previous generation. There will be a new MX5 in 2014. FYI the next MX-5 will be built in co-operation with Fiat who will use the same platform for the next Alfa Romeo Spider.
[img]Jaguar Land Rover Naples Reports U.S. Sales for February 2012
Jaguar Land Rover North America sales for the month were 4,277 up 32 percent from 3,247 units in 2011. Land Rover sales for the month were 3,255 up 27 percent from 2,555 in 2011; Jaguar sales for the month were 1,022 up 48 percent from 692 in 2011.[/img]
There will be the new E-type and the Evoque is selling like hotcakes, all in all things are looking better and better for JLR.
Quoting Dreadnought (Reply 9): The Outback is probably about the most versatile, well-built family car that's ever been made
It's a close second to the Volvo V70/XC70, without a doubt the Volvo is the best package out there for a family, the problem for Subaru in Europe is their diesel engine, it's not a good as it should be.
Quoting ltbewr (Reply 4): Suzuki, like Mitsubishi, is pretty much a goner in the USA market and elsewhere as to cars, they too are being bashed by Hyundai/Kia here, have a weak dealer network and really have a limited range of models.
Suzuki is the market leader in many 3rd world markets, they are the best selling brand in India, the Swift is also one of the best selling superminis in the world, just because they aren't doing well in the US doesn't mean they aren't doing well everywhere else.
EddieDude From Mexico, joined Nov 2003, 7177 posts, RR: 45 Reply 12, posted (12 months 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 3636 times:
Quoting stasisLAX (Thread starter): Mazda is trying to broaden its appeal with a new Mazda6 sedan this year, but Miata sports car is a very old platform now (and completely overshadowed by the new Scion FRS and Subie BRZ). The current Mazda3 model line-up is keeping Mazda afloat in the US market. Of course, the RX-8 is now defunct, with no replacement currently on the horizon.
Yes, a new 6 is coming and it should be a very good car. How are the CX-7 and CX-9 doing in the U.S.? The CX-7 is wildly popular in Mexico (as a side note). The subcompact Mazda2 is a good car and it should appeal to college students and budget-conscious buyers. There is a new CX-5 coming shortly that will give Mazda a good contender in the small-SUV/crossover market. Apparently it will be a very good vehicle. Mazda will build an assembly plant in Mexico to feed cars to the U.S., Canada and South America and this is favorable because their manufacturing cost will go down. Finally, the MX-5 or Miata will see soon a new replacement. Alfa Romeo and Mazda will pool their resources to build a new generation Mazda Miata and Alfa Romeo Spider in a Mazda plant in Japan. Each vehicle will have distinct styling but both will share a new rwd chassis and the trademark handling characteristics that have made the Miata famous all these years. I am expecting this car to be great.
Quoting stasisLAX (Thread starter): Lincoln is also on life-support, and was nearly murdered by Ford when they discontinued the entire Mercury brand.
I suppose the demise of Mercury was terrible for floor traffic, but Ford's unwillingness (or lack of funds or the absence of market demand) to turn Mercury into a credible brand with distinct products meant that Mercury had to be dropped no matter what. Maybe what Ford needs is Ford-Lincoln dealers but, more than that, good Lincoln products that are not just spiffed Ford products with slightly different sheetmetal.
Subaru has carved a niche of its own, sells well in bad weather states in the U.S. and has the backing of its minority shareholder Toyota. I personally think they screwed the design of the current generation Legacy, but I think their prospects are not dire.
Quoting KiwiRob (Reply 11): Suzuki is the market leader in many 3rd world markets, they are the best selling brand in India, the Swift is also one of the best selling superminis in the world, just because they aren't doing well in the US doesn't mean they aren't doing well everywhere else.
Agree. The Swift is good looking and the people who own it seem to like it a lot. What about the Kizashi, btw? Is it a competent car and is it priced right?
MAH4546 From Sweden, joined Jan 2001, 31119 posts, RR: 73 Reply 13, posted (12 months 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 3566 times:
Fiat isn't struggling. It should never have said it expected to sell 50,000 cars so quickly. That was very unrealistic, and it didn't help that the dealer network grew at a much slower rate than planned and the launch was delayed (why don't pundits use these facts?). Fiat's first year was better than Mini's first year, and look where Mini is now.
Suzuki has a shaky future in the United States, but Mitsubishi, which is using the U.S. as a key manufacturing point for global export, isn't going anywhere.
Anybody mentioning Subaru really needs to check sales figures. Subaru is on fire, on track to exceed 300,000 units in the U.S. this year. Subaru really benefits with a virtual monopoly in the wagon segment in this country.
stasisLAX From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3267 posts, RR: 6 Reply 14, posted (12 months 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 3526 times:
Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 13): Suzuki has a shaky future in the United States, but Mitsubishi, which is using the U.S. as a key manufacturing point for global export, isn't going anywhere.
The Illinois plant where Mitsubishi built the Galant (and builds only the Outlander Sport CUV now) is open only due to the $30 million USD in Illinois state grants to the automaker - or about $23,000 per UAW employee at the plant. The problem is that the plant can build 500,000 cars a year, and is now building less than 10 percent of that amount. However, Mitsubishi had received $250 million in subsidies from state and local governments in the past to keep the plant running.
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety!" B.Franklin
KiwiRob From New Zealand, joined Jun 2005, 5305 posts, RR: 3 Reply 15, posted (12 months 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 3462 times:
Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 13): Subaru really benefits with a virtual monopoly in the wagon segment in this country.
Which for the life of my I can't understand why Volvo didn't try harder with the V70, they pulled it and said the XC70 is it, IMO the XC70 isn't worth the extra dosh over the V70, it doesn't drive as well, uses more gas. Volvo pretty much owned the imported wagon market in the US for a long time.
MD11Engineer From Germany, joined Oct 2003, 13342 posts, RR: 64 Reply 16, posted (12 months 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 3443 times:
Quoting Dreadnought (Reply 9): I still hear people talk about Suzuki as "those cars tip over".
Which is BS. I´ve been driving first a SJ410 and later a SJ413 for years. They are maybe the closest you´ll find today as a successor of the old Willies Jeep.
First, as true offroad cars, they have a high ground clearance. Since they are also built with a narrow track, so that they can follow narrow forest trails (this is why even older models are still very popular with hunters, farmers and foresters around here) it is possible to tip them over if you exceed their limitations.
They are not racing cars, but need to be driven like small trucks, this means you can´t drive through curves at a high speed. If you drive them as what they have been built for, they are very safe.
As for the test, which caused Suzuki such a bad name in the US, it was faked by the automobile magazine to create a headline for sales purposes. It was later the subject of a major lawsuit, when it was discovered that the reporters deliberately drove the car over a ramp (which was later retouched out of the picture) to make one side come up and flip the car over, after the test driver could not make it tip by agressive driving. Any car will flip over if you drive it over a ramp on one side.
poLot From United States of America, joined Jul 2011, 1500 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (12 months 20 hours ago) and read 3396 times:
Quoting MD11Engineer (Reply 16): As for the test, which caused Suzuki such a bad name in the US, it was faked by the automobile magazine to create a headline for sales purposes. It was later the subject of a major lawsuit, when it was discovered that the reporters deliberately drove the car over a ramp (which was later retouched out of the picture) to make one side come up and flip the car over, after the test driver could not make it tip by agressive driving. Any car will flip over if you drive it over a ramp on one side.
While Consumer Reports purposely made it tip over by driving very aggressively and doing I think close to 50 runs with it in order to get it to tip over, they never used a ramp nor were they accused of doing so.
tommy767 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 6173 posts, RR: 9 Reply 18, posted (12 months 20 hours ago) and read 3374 times:
Times have definitely changed. I remember when Mitsubishi's and Mazda's were really popular in the US. Now it seems like the most popular brands are Ford, Chevy, Toyota, and Honda. And remember back 10 years ago nobody was buying Chevy's and Ford's except for their SUVs. Now its finally OK again to buy their cars because they are finally reliable again: like the Cruze, Malibu, Equinox, etc.
I wouldn't say Mazda is on the same level as Mitsz or Saab yet. Mazda still makes very good cars. Saab is dead in the water now that GM doesn't own them anymore. However their new ownership might be good for them overall.
Chrysler is sort of dying as well. Not nearly as good as Ford or GM products.
"Folks that's the news and I'm outta here!" -- Dennis Miller
KiwiRob From New Zealand, joined Jun 2005, 5305 posts, RR: 3 Reply 19, posted (12 months 18 hours ago) and read 3336 times:
Quoting tommy767 (Reply 18): Saab is dead in the water now that GM doesn't own them anymore. However their new ownership might be good for them overall.
What new ownership Saab are kaput.
An interesting quote from Saab AB CEO.
Quote: On 29 May 2012, Saab AB (aerospace and defence company) CEO Håkan Buskhe spoke to the media for the first time in an interview regarding the bankruptcy of Saab Automobile.[89] Saab AB has the rights to the name Saab Automobile and has the possibility to block the use of the name for any potential buyer of Saab Automobile. He stated that as long as any potential buyer will continue production and development in Trollhättan they will grant the use of the name but that they will block any deal with a buyer who has the intent of taking production and development outside the country.
PHLBOS From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 7253 posts, RR: 25 Reply 20, posted (12 months 16 hours ago) and read 3298 times:
Quoting EddieDude (Reply 12): Maybe what Ford needs is Ford-Lincoln dealers but, more than that, good Lincoln products that are not just spiffed Ford products with slightly different sheetmetal.
Actually, many Ford and Lincoln dealers have already since consolidated under one roof for a few years now. While that move is pleasing to the bean-counters, IMHO, it's done the Lincoln brand more harm than good because there's now essentially a Ford product equivalent for every Lincoln model available; especially now that the Town Car's gone.
I do agree with you that Lincoln will need to offer more distinguishing products from its Ford bretheren if it wants to have relevance and a reason to exist.
"TransEastern! You'll feel like you've never left the ground because we treat you like dirt!" SNL Parady ad circa 1981
EddieDude From Mexico, joined Nov 2003, 7177 posts, RR: 45 Reply 22, posted (12 months 15 hours ago) and read 3256 times:
Quoting tommy767 (Reply 18): Saab is dead in the water now that GM doesn't own them anymore. However their new ownership might be good for them overall.
Saab is, very sadly, dead. I owned a GM-era 2003 9-3 2.0t Linear sedan and I think it was a fantastic car. I never experienced any defects, rattles, etc. The handling was very good, the suspension was not too soft and not too tight, the materials used in the cabin were very high quality. It is a shame that Saab did not have a place within GM after the crisis, and that the purchasers could not revive the brand. Saab will be dearly missed.
Not anymore. FIAT is doing a good job. The new Dodge Dart will be a credible and quality offering in the compact sedan market. The driving dynamics should be very good thanks to the Alfa Romeo Giulieta-derived chassis. The Grand Cherokee is awesome; would definitely get one if I were in the market for a midsize SUV. I am expecting great things from Chrysler in the next few years. The replacements for the Avenger and the 200 due in 12-18 months will be the real test of fire, and I am sure Chrysler will not disappoint. I am a huge fan of Marchionne.
Quoting PHLBOS (Reply 20): I do agree with you that Lincoln will need to offer more distinguishing products from its Ford bretheren if it wants to have relevance and a reason to exist.
Yes, it needs distinctive products. That is the key I think. The new 2013 Fusion/Mondeo is a great car and I am sure many people will wonder why one should buy the new 2013 MKZ over a top-spec Fusion other than for boasting ownership of a car with a "premium" nameplate. That said, the 2013 does not look bad, so I hope it represents a turning point for Lincoln.
canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2657 posts, RR: 12 Reply 23, posted (12 months 15 hours ago) and read 3240 times:
Quoting StuckInCA (Reply 21): They are huge in the Northwest and Northeast.
Here in the Pacific Northwest they literally are everywhere.
Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 13): Fiat isn't struggling. It should never have said it expected to sell 50,000 cars so quickly. That was very unrealistic, and it didn't help that the dealer network grew at a much slower rate than planned and the launch was delayed (why don't pundits use these facts?). Fiat's first year was better than Mini's first year, and look where Mini is now.
I've seen a number of Fiats in Seattle already. I suspect that the Fiat 500 could cut into sales of the Smart cars that young urbanites seem to also like here.
Alias1024 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 2644 posts, RR: 2 Reply 24, posted (12 months 11 hours ago) and read 3211 times:
It's amazing to me that the Mitsubishi Eclipse will end. Ten years ago it was such a hot car thanks to great marketing. Turns out that good commercials can only propel a crappy car so far. Another brand that's dying at least in the United States is Buick. They are trying to attract younger buyers with their current marketing, but I think it will probably be too little too late. When was the last time you met someone under 50 years old that bought a new Buick?
Quoting GSPflyer (Reply 8): Subaru isn't selling in large numbers like other brands in the U.S., but I heard that they probably have the best customer loyalty of any brand. I heard that a huge percentage of Subaru drivers that will end up buying another Subaru.
My girlfriend's six year old Impreza just needed a new head gasket after only 80,000 miles. Normally this would be the kind of thing that would turn you off of a brand, but Subaru paid for half the repairs even though the car was well outside the warranty. I was impressed that they'd make that kind of investment in customer loyalty.
It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems with just potatoes.
25 srbmod: My aunt had a Tribute and wasn't originally planning on trading it in anytime soon until the engine started burning a lot of oil and the Mazda dealer
26 canoecarrier: I can't see that at all. The kind of people that buy Subaru Outbacks buy Toyota Highlanders. I don't see how architects that buy SAABs would want to
27 poLot: Subaru's are popular in the "hipster/college professor" crowd that Saab use to dominate in a long time ago.
28 StuckInCA: While that may be true (I'm skeptical), Subarus are certainly popular in a much wider demographic than that in some regions of the country (as previo
29 sccutler: Really? The new Buicks are selling very well, with both the LaCrosse and Regal selling to a much younger market than Buick has traditionally served.
30 JJJ: Same here, I still own a 413 now close to the 200.000km mark, with a good bunch of those done in tracks and offroad (it's a farm/hunting vehicle excl
31 na: I also think that the next joint Mazda MX-5/Alfa Spider should be a great car. If it gets the styling of the Pininfarina Duettotanta prototype, and t
32 Dreadnought: As I said, we are big fans of Outbacks, and I wouldn't be caught dead in a Toyota. We are anything but that demographic. Do you guys live in Californ
33 poLot: I didn't say they were solely popular with that group...they appeal to a lot of people for being all AWD (except for the upcoming BRZ). I was just po
34 Revelation: Yes, much to my displeasure. Their non-performance cars should be banned from the passing lane on multi-lane roads and should be made to pull over wh
35 KingairTA: That comparo was a joke. Look at the competition. MB, BMW, Audi... It should have been compared to the Malibu, Camry, Accord, Optima, Fusion etc etc.
36 sccutler: I have to say, having not driven the Regal, my comments are anecdotal at best. As a long-time consumer of of auto magazines, though, I have found that
37 Dreadnought: The Chinese I'm sure will expand the dealer network. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lvl5Gan69Wo&feature=youtu.be General Motors is becoming China
38 PHLBOS: The main issue w/the MKT is that its styling cues, particularly at the rear roof, comes at the expense of interior space; there's less interior room
39 Revelation: Nonsense. Here's some basic facts: Buick Regal GS: Turbocharged I4, base $35.7k, as-tested $38.5k Audi A4 Quatro: Turbocharged I4, base $34.1k, as-te
40 KingairTA: Since when is Buick a performance brand? Also I would expect a FWD car to falter in handling when compared to RWD/AWD cars. Sketchy being they have to
41 Flight152: OH really? Me thinks you need to take a peak at the entire Lincoln lineup. All I can see are Ford models with more silver painted plastic and better
42 KingairTA: I forgot to add. While the Buick Regal GS was the "trim" tested people forget that it's based on a car that MSRPs for $27K I would surely hope a car t
43 srbmod: When Mazda started selling the B Series based off the Ranger, it was around the time Ford refreshed the Ranger, but retained the platform that had be
44 NorthStarDC4M: Mazda isn't in any trouble, they have a full lineup: Mazda 2 Sub Compact Mazda 3 Compact Mazda 5 Uhhh... Minivan/Car crossover? Mazda 6 Full Size CX-
45 Revelation: When it charges performance brand money? Or are you paying for all that gaudy (and apparently heavy) trim? It's not the only FWD in the review. Like
46 EddieDude: And with the big success of the brand in China, its survival and thriving are more than assured. Agree. Right now their most important problem is the
47 srbmod: Chrysler in recent years introduced a new V-6, the Pentastar that will be used across the Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Lancia/Fiat/Ram brands (It is also bein
48 stasisLAX: Kizashi has three major problems. 1. A name that Americans find difficult to pronounce. 2. A non-existent dealer network in middle America. 3) Too sm
49 srbmod: Buick does make some nice looking cars and while they do have the image of being a car brand for "old people" (much like Lincoln and Cadillac), they
50 EddieDude: Gotcha. Yes, seems it is quite disadvantaged hehe. Would you happen to know if Suzuki has stand-alone dealers in the U.S. or if they are shared with
51 stasisLAX: Shared dealerships in all of the dealerships I've seen. The Suzuki dealer in Long Beach, CA (where I bought my SX4 sedan) was paired with a used car
52 EddieDude: Thanks Daniel. Sent you an instant message.
53 na: I am of cause looking more from the European perspective on this, being an Alfa Romeo driver and enthusiast for 20 years, owning several 164 and 166
54 Revelation: I don't understand why, other than you don't want to expose the Regal to some of the sharper competitors in its price range. Ok, I googled http://www
55 poLot: They are aiming for soft luxury. Generally softer, more comfortable rides, very quiet cabins with your standard upgraded technology. Think more Lexus
56 KingairTA: Really? The GS is not a base trim. It's the top trim of a $27k car. Caddillac CTS. Base model $36K with a V6 and manual. No turbo to wind up. Maybe b
57 Revelation: They also said "the only sound it makes is an annoying high-pitched whine at part throttle", so perhaps "quiet" is a step too far. Fair enough. I agr
58 KingairTA: I believe in that statement they are comparing the GS to the lower trim level of turbo III. Which is another Regal with a turbo 4 but in that trim le
59 PHLBOS: You do realize that back then, Motor Trend did 2 separate COTY tests for each model year: one for domestics (you listed the winners for '71, '80 &
60 EddieDude: The replacement of the 159 (Giulia, right?) is going to be a great car I am sure. I agree it might end up being a bit smaller than the Passat, Mondeo
61 Revelation: Ok, your post and KingairTA's have helped me understand better where Buick is positioning its products. I'll be interested to see how good a car the
62 KiwiRob: No it isn't, it's a sports saloon, however BMW have taken away a fare amount of the sport and improved the comfort in the F30 3 series, it's now clos
63 srbmod: We have three Suzuki dealerships in the Atlanta area (There's one that closed but still maintains a service and parts department and I know of anothe
64 BMI727: BMW has recognized the gap and changed accordingly. I don't know how it is elsewhere, but to address the differences in priorities, BMW is offering t
65 tommy767: In that comparison the new Cadillac ATS would have been more fair than the Regal. I'm sorry, it's not exactly fair to lump it in there with the perfo
66 KiwiRob: They do this in Norway, silly thing is you can then add the Msport pack to any of the lines. BMW are also following the C Class where Mercedes offer
67 KingairTA: Semantics. You know what I was talking about and besides in the US it isn't "Saloon" It's "Sedan" But still the car is designed to be a drivers car f
68 KiwiRob: I gotta disagree with this, BMW are much less sporting today that they were in decades past, the 'Ultimate Driving Machine' only applies to the M and
69 Charles79: I know I'm late to this thread but I thought I'd try and steer the conversation back to the topic. When looking at car sales by brand I try to look be
70 Dreadnought: Interesting site. Here's something interesting. Here's a list of top selling cars (not trucks) in the US: Toyota Camry 142,225 Nissan Altima 112,599
71 poLot: The big reason people worry about Mazda is while their sales are ok, they are unprofitable and have been for several years. They are a relatively sma
72 KingairTA: I agree the prius family numbers are skewed. Combining two different platforms only enhances the numbers to make it look better.
73 mah4546: Fiat just hit 4,000 monthly sales in the United States and the 500 is now one of Canada's twenty best-selling nameplates. So much for the "Fiat is a f
74 KingairTA: Some one mentioned the ATS. I expect great things from that car. Just look how good the CTS is.
75 stasisLAX: This is the problem - while Jaguar truly has improved its sales performance, a thousand units sold in a month is NOT viable competition to Mercedes a
76 KiwiRob: Once the new E-type hits the ground at the end of the year and the new A4/3 series/C Class competitor arrives in 2014 Jaguar sales should start to bo
77 srbmod: I drove past one of the local Fiat dealers here and their inventory had definitely thinned out in recent weeks. I wonder how much of Fiat's North Ame
78 poLot: The A4/3 series/C Class competitor will certainly help, but the new E-type's impact is going to be minimal at best.
79 Charles79: This is one of the reasons why I mentioned that you can't look at the sales numbers in isolation to determine the health of a particular brand/model.
80 mham001: Mazda leaders publicly disagree. They are shuttering NA plants, laying off 25% of their foreign workforce, actively seeking partners and introducing
81 KiwiRob: 25,000 units a year is going to make a pretty big impact on Jaguars bottom line. I think it's going to end up a big hit like the Evoque. So 1 month o
82 poLot: I'm guessing that is world wide sales, and while that will help it is still going to be difficult to achieve, and still leave them very far behind it
83 KiwiRob: Jaguar is and always has been a niche brand. Mercedes and BMW do not have any models that will compete directly with the F-type, the F-type splits th
84 Charles79: A bit off-topic but I have an Autocar from December 1999 where they preview the X-type and back then Jaguar was hoping for 100K sales a year. It is r
85 Revelation: It's a true statement, yet totally understandable. In auto owning societies, the car is central to our lives. It costs a lot of money to buy one, and
86 tommy767: Yeah hopefully it will kick some ass, maybe smoke a BMW or two. I'm not a fan of the CTS styling these days. It's a bit on the ridiculous side.
87 KingairTA: Tommy767, I actually like the styling. But to each his own.
88 EddieDude: I test drove a new 3-Series in February and I cannot wait to receive mine in July. It will be just as comfy in terms of ride as my 2008 C280 Classic,
89 Revelation: I think the reference is to Mazda's various degrees of partnership with Ford. Apparently Ford held a 33% controlling interest in Mazda from 1996 to 2
90 poLot: I'm pretty sure he was referencing Land Rover and Jaguar separately. They weren't always together (Ford purchased Jaguar 10 years before getting a hol
91 mah4546: Abort production is very limited by factory constraints. Only ~250 can be built per month in Mexico (I assume due to its array of speciality imported
92 Charles79: I wonder if any other Fiat models would sell well in the US though. Looking at their current offerings we already have the 500, the Sedici (as Suzuki
93 poLot: The Panda is expected to come over slightly reworked as a Jeep, although nothing has been officially announced. The 500L is coming here, it was desig
94 KiwiRob: Msport in most couintries is available on all lines and on all engine sizes, even the 316d. Woops I meant to say Cayman. During Ford's ownership they
95 EddieDude: Look at this Charles. This sheds some light on the question of which cars will come to market. http://wot.motortrend.com/marchionne...rysler-fiat-alf
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