Supercars: USA vs. the World

2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

I just finished reading a comparison of the 2013 Corvette ZR1 and the 2013 SRT Viper GTS (Motor Trend, Comparison:2013 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 vs. 2013 SRT Viper GTS). It's a great piece, and as usual, it got me thinking. By the numbers, these two Americans have joined -- and in many aspects, exceeded -- the ranks of the world's elite supercars. Each car packs over 600 hp and 600 ft-lb torque. The ZR1 paired that power with the best brakes MT had ever tested (60-0 in 91 ft). The ZR1 also broke the record for fastest lap time around Laguna Seca Raceway, eclipsing the Ferrari 458, Audi R8, and Lamborghini Aventador, to name just a few!

So, why don't we consider them supercars? Their price tags are both deep into six figures ($140,000 for the Viper) and they can compete in every way with the best of Germany, England, and Italy.

In many ways, I think that the Vette suffers from some of the overexposure that has occasionally plagued the Porsche 911. Sure, the fire-breathing Turbo models have long been among the world's top dogs. But, with more common 911 and 911 S models to be found on every road in America, the perception can be that the 911 is a car for mere mortals. However, with the emergence of the performance-oriented GT3, and the increasing separation between the 911 and Boxster/Cayman, the 911 seems to be back on its lofty perch.

The Corvette also has its more affordable versions. The base coupe starts out at a hair under $50,000. But even that "lesser-Corvette" has over 400 hp and can go from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds. By comparison, the base Carrera seems almost slow! However, like Porsche, Chevy has added some heavy-hitters at the top of the Corvette lineup with the 427, Z06 and ZR1 all featuring over 500 hp with 0-60 times below 4 seconds. In fact, the top-line ZR1 virtually equals the 0-60 time of the $250,000 Ferrari 458 Italia.

2013 SRT Viper GTS

So what hurts the Viper? Even before its three-year hiatus, the Viper was always a limited-production car, and was never powered by anything short of the gargantuan V-10 engine. Unfortunately, I think that the Viper is hurt by its humble roots. The fact that Chrysler/Dodge have had a troubled past has not helped.

Chrysler executives clearly considered that when the Viper was officially unveiled solely under the SRT (Street and Racing Technology) name badge which adorns top-performance models such as the Dodge Challenger SRT-8 and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8. However, the Viper is the only model that eschews any parent.

The world is starting to take notice of these two American behemoths. With impressive numbers like theirs, it would be hard not to! Once upon a time, it was believed that American car manufacturers were not familiar with the concept of a twisty road. But, Motor Trend's results on the tight Laguna Seca, prove that Chevy and SRT have addressed any shortcomings in that area.

They're not without their flaws, of course. The Viper could probably be called one of the least-driveable cars in the world...next to an F1 car. Even with its "softer" personality (it now features ABS and traction control), this snake still bites! Meanwhile, the Corvette's interior doesn't inspire much more praise than a garden-variety Malibu. For $100,000 you'd think that you could at least get a decent set of bucket seats!

In this clip from Top Gear U.K., host Jeremy Clarkson gives his own take on the ZR1 versus another German supercar, the V-10 powered Audi R8 and sums up pretty nicely the difference in mentality between the two manufacturers.


What do you think? Should the Corvette and Viper be added to the list of the world's best? Or, have they always been there?

All I Want for Christmas...

It's Christmas time, and of course, we're all thinking about the things we want and the things we need. We also are bombarded by ads, deals, and specials telling us to act "act now!" and "take advantage of holiday prices."

Of course, the ads that always catch my eye feature a Mercedes or Lexus sitting in a driveway with a big, red bow on the hood.

Frankly, I see the idea of a car as a gift as pretty unbelievable. But, that's not to say that the idea of a shiny new automobile in December is a myth. You do need to do a little homework, and recognize the limitations of shopping for deals.

Here are some tips, comments, and suggestions if you're planning on testing the waters this holiday season:

1. Be prepared to act fast - There are only two weeks left before New Year's Eve, and many of the best pricing deals will prepare to expire at the end of the month. There's still time, of course, but don't expect to have your choice of options and packages, and brace yourself for a slightly harder sales push.


2. Sign & Drive - These ads are where I usually start first. For anyone who prefers to lease, these deals will promise you "no money up front", and will usually try to minimize the monthly rates to keep costs attractive. Just be sure to notice the smaller print where it says, "not including taxes and fees". Those fees can add around $2,000 depending on the MSRP and state. You can have those fees rolled in to your monthly payment to keep it a true "sign & drive", but expect that move to add an additional $50/month to a typical 36 month lease





Do Your Homework

3. Knowledge is power - I love to be an informed consumer. If you're reading a blog about cars, I take it that you do, too. This can be especially handy when preparing to negotiate pricing. As I mentioned at the top of this post, there are LOTS of advertisements out there for vehicles. Make sure you read them. Know what kinds of offers exist on the car(s) you're considering. Use sources like Edmunds.com to figure out what the car should typically cost, and come up with a reasonable expectation of what you should have to pay. Then, when you sit down with your sales consultant, conveniently "forget" everything you read. Start by asking them their price, and asking if there are any special offers available. They may give you a quote in line with your expectations. But, if they are too high, feel free to push them. Right before you close the deal, you can conveniently "find" an add for bonus cash, referral credits, or competitor bonuses.That way, you make your reasonable deal better.


4. Don't feel guilty - Even the nicest sales guys I've worked with love this one. As the MSRP on the table drops, the sad story about how you're taking money from them gets sadder. They usually point to numbers that make it look like they are taking a bath on the car that you are getting. This is laughable. If they were losing money on a sale, they wouldn't agree to it. But the truth is that any incentives and special offers will be a combination of dealer- and manufacturer-backed incentives. That means that some of the price reduction is getting borne by the dealer, but most likely the lion's share is coming from the manufacturer. They can be rewarded for selling lots of cars, or for selling a certain model. So, my rule is, keep going lower until they say no.


5. What am I getting? - So, why are you being offered a great deal? Well, usually, it's a matter of moving inventory. The more inventory that a dealer needs to move, the more aggressive they are likely to be. You can generally tell how much of an inventory problem exists if you see that a dealer is selling the old models alongside the current edition. By December, the old should all be gone. Another possibility is that the model is due for an extensive refresh in the coming months. That means that by March or April, your car can already be "old news". The effect on you, is that the value of your car will drop - significantly. If you are leasing your car, or you plan to hold your car for more than 5 years, that drop in value should not be a major factor in your decision. But, if you expect to own your car for 5 years or less, don't expect to recover as much from selling your car.

So, in the end, I love buying cars. And December (and even January at times) can be a great time to do it. With a little work, and a little flexibility, you can get a great car at a great price. The trick is to know what it is you want. Otherwise, you'll most likely end up paying what the dealer wants.

Bringing the Sports Coupe Back

2013 Subaru BRZ and 2013 Scion FR-S

I have to be honest. The Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S never really made it onto my radar. I read the early reviews, and saw that they were almost universally positive. But, it wasn't until Car and Driver named these two cars as one of their 10 Best ("2013 10Best: Cars") that I took the time to reflect not only on the quality of these cars, but also the significance of their appearance in the market. After thinking about it a little harder, I'm really happy that they are here. Let me tell you why.

First, do yourself a favor and look up sports cars available in today's market for around $25,000. I'll wait.

Are you back yet? Good. What'd you find? Mustang, yes. Camaro, yes. And probably the Hyundai Genesis Coupe.I'm not counting the Accord coupe or Altima; those are coupes, not sports cars.So, we've got three cars in that space, and so far the Mustang and Camaro are dominating, while the Hyundai attempts to play catch-up.

1979 Mazda RX-7

Interestingly, over the years, we've seen trends like this before. In the 70's, the American pony cars were the heavy hitters, but were hitting their low periods.Fortunately, it was at that time when a couple Japanese cars came in and reinvigorated the segment: the Nissan/Datsun 280 ZX and the Mazda RX-7. Then, in the 90's we saw some new entrants from Mitsubishi (the Eclipse), Subaru (XT) and Toyota (MR2).

Nissan 280 ZX

While none of these cars had the staying power -- the Nissan Z car has been reinvented as a more upscale ride competing with Mustang GTs and Cobras -- they have all been needed to keep the market going.

Now, once again we find ourselves short on true sporting cars. The trend that we are seeing is for the "hot hatch": VW GTI, Mini Cooper, and Fiat 500 Abarth are the current must-haves. But more are on the way. Looking at the "true" sports cars, the Mustang and Camaro, you may notice that the credentials are all there, unlike the 70's and 80's. They have powerful engines and sporty designs. But the problem for me, and a lot of others, is that they are everywhere! So, people certainly want sports cars. They just haven't had much to choose from.

Until now. With the new Subie and Scion, sports car enthusiasts have something to cheer for. It is possible to have uncompromising performance at near-entry level cost without looking like everyone else out on the road.

2013 Ford Mustang V6

Let's be clear, though. While these cars will compete in the same space, they are not looking for the same driver. And that's part of what makes them so interesting. A basic Ford Mustang V6 packs over 300 hp and can sprint to 60 mph in under 6 seconds (with performance package). But the Subaru/Scion with their 200 hp flat four avoid the traps altogether and head for the twisties. With its low center of gravity due to the placement of its "Boxer" engine, the car is able to handle in a lively, yet predictable manner. For the 10Best write-up, Car and Driver notes that in testing, the car managed .91g of lateral acceleration, a number equal to the $90,000 BMW M5.

The Mustang also has a host of options and packages and goodies, while the "Subion" makes due with a very stripped-down, lightweight platform. This contributes to a very different feel in the car; one that won't necessarily appeal to all buyers, but will definitely attract some purists.

It is the difference in philosophy that ensures that the Subaru/Scion is relevant. It is the car's ability to execute that philosophy as well as it does that makes sure both are truly good cars.

Where are the wagons?

Motor Trend recently posted an article about the official launch of the Audi RS6 Avant - aka wagon - in Europe ("2014 Audi RS6 Officially Revealed, Still Not Coming Here"). Lower on the page, in the "related articles" section, you can see articles and photos of Audi's smaller, RS4 Avant, also not destined for these shores.

No doubt, the RS6 would not be for everyone. Indeed, its price tag alone (I'd guess we're talking close to six figures for this one) would be enough to send most shoppers to another car. But, I don't think I'm alone in saying the mere fact that I CAN'T buy the car in America, makes me WANT to.

1996 Chevrolet Caprice Classic

I also don't buy the logic that Americans don't want wagons. True, nobody wants a vintage 90's Chevy Caprice Classic wagon with faux wood paneling. But, if you suggested to a person that you could get a car that was the right size, maintained good mileage, looked cool, AND had enough space to haul the family's luggage for a week's vacation, I think you'd get more demand than you think. And, I'm not the only one.

For years, Volkswagen has made sure that its Jetta Sportwagen model has been available to consumers. Subaru's Outback was the first wagon-based crossover vehicle , and has had a place it the lineup ever since. And, if Audi were to bring the RS6 Avant to America, it would not be the first luxury sport wagon with a huge engine. Cadillac currently holds claim to the fastest wagon in America with its $65,000 CTS-V wagon.

Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

There was a time when we declared the hatchback dead. It was ugly and clunky, and relegated to Saabs (even Saab stopped making hatchbacks in the early 2000's).Now look and you'll see these designs everywhere, from the ubiquitous Prius to the gorgeous Audi A7. It turns out that the problem wasn't the hatchback concept, but the examples themselves that people didn't love.

I'm not suggesting that any wagon could suddenly enter the market to success. I am suggesting that a manufacturer COULD find success with a wagon IF it was willing to make an appealing car that happened to have the utility of a wagon. For the record, no car with faux wood paneling counts as "appealing".

Curmudgeon Corner: Eyesores

For this post I decided to channel my inner Andy Rooney. Admit it. You wish you'd thought of this for your blog.

Audi A6 LED pattern

Driving on the highway yesterday I caught sight of the LED headlight pattern of an Audi. You know the one I'm talking about - they are now available on every Audi in the lineup. Then it passed by and I realized I was looking at a Volkswagen CC. Imagine my disappointment!

Thinking back to earlier drives I realized I have been seeing those shiny "eyelids" everywhere; from Jettas to Accords to Lexuses.

Just like that, the LED look is no longer cool to me. It is not luxurious. It is not unique.

2013 Honda Accord

I don't blame anyone in particular for this wave of market entries. But I do believe companies need to think before following trends in styling. Will Honda gain anything from this? I doubt it.

The big loser here is Audi. They created a look meant to compliment their luxury branding. But thanks to their "every man" parent, Volkswagen, LED lamps are available to the mainstream public in an entry-level model.

All that said, yeah, I wish I had a car with those lights!

UPDATED: Can an auto company call mea culpa?

Last week, Motor Trend gave a Quick Drive review of the 2013 Honda Civic, asking the question whether the car is back on track ("Has the Civic Gotten its Groove Back?"). In spite of great sales for 2012 (254,716 units sold through October), Honda recognized that its new-for-2012 Civic was not up to its lofty standards and rolled out a revised car for 2013 that follows big brother Accord, which was also refreshed for 2013.

2013 Honda Civic

To me, the interesting story is not whether the new car is an improvement - how could it not be? I'm more focused on the fact that a car company placed a higher value on its brand than on its bottom line. 

As an inexpensive, volume car, the average lifespan of a Civic platform is 4-5 years, with a mid-cycle refresh tucked in somewhere. That means that the 2012 Civic should have continued with only minor changes through the 2016 model year. 

Changing a model after only one year means that Honda will spend more money on R&D after never having fully recouped the expenses of developing the original car. Had they chosen to wait 1-2 more years, even average sales would have saved them considerably.

Honda is not the first company to call a mea culpa when it comes to erroneous designs. In 2002, BMW launched a drastically altered 7-Series flagship sedan, dubbed E65, under the leadership of former design chief, Chris Bangle. That car, which was mocked mercilessly for its "Bangle Butt" in the media, still managed to continue with strong sales, ultimately becoming the best-selling 7-Series. But, in 2006, when the 7-Series would normally be receiving a mild refresh, BMW rolled out a car with new front and rear fascia, and a revised iDrive system. Keep in mind that unlike the $20,000 Honda, a top-line BMW takes a little more work and money to update, so a turnaround after three years is very much akin to what Honda has done this year.

Again, that both the Honda and BMW were able to revise for the better is good, but not the point. Both were willing to sacrifice certain profitability to protect the perceived quality of their brands. To me, that is a quality worthy of praise.

In the case of BMW, the E65 platform carried on with praise for its updates, and was replaced in 2008 with the current version of the model. As BMW designs have become more conservative, there have been some comments expressing regret for the loss of Chris Bangle and his boundary-pushing designs - proof that BMW was able to successfully put the negative attitudes in the rear-view mirror. 

Will Honda be so lucky? It's off to a good start.


UPDATE!

This week, Car & Driver Magazine reported online that the Chevrolet Malibu would also be undergoing an unscheduled and relatively dramatic mid-cycle refresh ("Chevrolet Malibu to Get Early Mid-Cycle Makeover"). For the article, General Motors CEO, Dan Akerson confirms that engineers are working on an update to be revealed next year, and acknowledged the "unflattering reviews" of the 2013 car, which undoubtedly contributed to the bold decision. 

Power of the press? Power to the people? Whatever the source, the power is having its way with the auto industry's heaviest hitters.  

Good-bye BMW M3

Photos are starting to make their way around the circuits of the pre-production BMW 4-Series, set to make it's official debut at the Detroit Auto Show. I'll be honest, I like the car. But then, what's not to like? It's based on the 3-Series.

But that's where my problem lies. It's no longer a 3-Series. Frankly, to me that's a little sad.

Supporters of the new nomenclature will likely point to the precedent set by the 6-Series. But the 6-Series has its own history. It's a good history, complete with it's own M-badge. Also, that car was designed to be more than a 2-door 5-Series. It was created to compete with the ritzy, expensive Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, and a 5- designation simply would not work.

Other people who like this move may look at Audi and its popular A5. That comparison, to me, is shortsighted. Audi has never had a 2-door variant of the A4, making the A5 a completely new animal. Again, the 3-Series coupe has always been there, and it has always been a "3".

But now, here is my biggest horror from this move: No more M3. It's gone. Yes, I know there will be a 3-Series sedan with an M-badge. But that's not what an M3 is to me. During the years when an M3 sedan existed (there have been plenty when it didn't), it was just that - an M3 SEDAN. It had its own name, because it wasn't a true M3.

Ultimately, my concern is that BMW was willing to sacrifice a key brand for the sake of an expanded lineup. To me, this kind of mistake rings like something that GM would have done in the 80's or 90's. Back in the day, GM was bent on expansion and didn't always consider the more intangible elements such as brand value. The thing about a brand image is that once you make a change like this, you cannot undo it.

Take a look at some of the history that we say good-bye to:

Buy what you love

The decision to buy or lease a car is an intensely personal one. We all have our own reasons, and they can range from the emotional ("I like the “swooshy” lines of that car," or "I grew up with a Buick in the garage,") to the purely quantitative (highest MPG, biggest engine displacement). I’m okay with any of these reasons. Except for one. I have seen or heard many examples where people buy a car because they think they have to. These people are ceding their choice for some made-up mandate.

I’ll show you what I mean.

“Buy American”

This is probably my biggest pet peeve.

In the days following 9/11, a national mandate went around to support America by consuming American-made goods. This was a good idea. But more than a decade later, this mentality still has a foothold in some circles when looking at cars.

I’m going to start off and say that I don’t criticize anyone for buying a Chevy or a Ford. It’s the people who say, “I bought my Chevy to support America,” that drive me crazy. What they are effectively saying is that they look at a Ford Fusion and a Honda Accord, two cars that are comparable in almost every discernible category, and decide that the Ford is superior because it is “made in the USA.”

The problem is that it’s not. In fact, I look at these two cars and say that my money does more for America by buying the Accord, a car made in America, by American workers in the American Heartland (Marysville, Ohio) with parts that are sourced in America. Look at the sticker on that Fusion. It might as well say “hecho en Mexico.”  If you buy the car, you make sure that a factory employing Mexican workers stays open and Mexican parts suppliers can continue to operate. The only Americans that benefit from this sale are the shareholders who own Ford stock and the dealership that sold you the car.

Plenty of American cars are truly 100% American. And, likewise many cars sold under foreign nameplates are produced outside of the US. But, it really shouldn’t matter. I don’t buy my cars to make others happy, and I hope no one else does, either.

 “4 wheels are better than 2”

I’ve lived in the northeast for a long time. We know what a nor’easter means, and we coined the phrase “black ice”. When I got my license back in the 90’s, I learned how to drive in nasty weather, and have kept the lessons learned from back in the day with me. But with the increasing prevalence of all-wheel drive (AWD) cars, some people believe that they have found the cure for bad weather.

When a friend was preparing to buy a new car this summer, the requirements he listed were: Under $30K, heated seats, good cruising range, sedan, and AWD. Check, check, check, check….wait a second.

There are many more AWD cars on the market than there used to be, that’s true. But when you try to find sedans under $30K with AWD, you’ll find in a hurry that it’s slim pickins. What my friend was left with was a Subaru Legacy, a Fusion AWD that wasn’t available anyway, and a Mini Countryman. After driving the two that were available, he wasn’t happy. His options were to buy a car that didn’t make him happy or stretch and spend too much money to get something from Audi or BMW.

I made a radical suggestion: Skip the all-wheel drive.

I offered that by getting a front-wheel drive (FWD) sedan, he could have all the features he wanted for the price he wanted, and had the option of getting winter tires to handle the nasty weather. While he was skeptical at first, it didn’t take long before he was visiting an Acura dealership, testing a FWD TSX.

A basic Google search on winter tires will tell any interested person that these tires are designed not just for snow, but for colder temperatures and bad road conditions. They make the claim of offering more stability than AWD on traditional all-weather tires, and the ability to grip nearly as well in deep snow.

This week, my friend had his snow tires, mounted to a second set of wheels, put on his car. The total cost was about $1600 – less than the typical cost of upgrading from FWD to AWD (think BMW 3-series).  I’ll be curious to see how it goes. But the moral of the story is that he is driving a car that he enjoys and still finding that all of his basic needs were met.

Review: 2013 Kia Optima EX

If you read my inaugural blog post, "Welcome", then thank you! In the blog, I declared Kia as one of my winners for 2012, due in large part to the success of the Optima sedan. To back up my statements, I thought it appropriate that I offer up a review of the car. I chose the EX because its price (pricing begins at $23,500)  and powertrain are likely to be more appealing to a broader audience.

The car comes nicely equipped with leather, power driver seat, and keyless start/stop standard on the car. For those inclined for a more luxurious family-hauler, heated & cooled front seats (including heated rear seats), dual-panoramic sunroof, navigation with back-up cameras, and more are available in option packages.

The Engine

The Optima EX comes with a 2.4L inline-4 featuring Hyundai/Kia's proprietary gasoline direct injection (GDI), paired with a 6-speed automatic.The engine produces an average-for-the-segment 200 hp and 186 lb-ft torque. Kia claims a very optimistic 24/35/26 fuel economy. For what it's worth, I haven't been able to get much more than 30 or 31 mpg on the freeway with an average of about 23 mpg in mixed driving.

The engine feels quick, if not overly strong. Acceleration off the line is very good, and if you bury the pedal it will keep pulling for you. Officially, the 0-60 time is 8.9 seconds, but for a car like this, those numbers are really pretty meaningless, as nobody will be drag racing an Accord. For the record, the Optima would probably win against a 2012 Accord with 4-cylinder (0-60 in 9.1 seconds).

The Drive

Around town, the Optima feels like a typical family sedan. It's a big car, but it doesn't feel too big. As noted, the engine provides enough oomph that you never feel concerned merging into traffic. Where I was suddenly aware of the car's size was in braking. The brakes are strong enough, but getting full effect required a little more effort than I would have liked.

Push the car a bit more through some turns and the car definitely tries. It hangs in there with you as far as it can, although it doesn't take too long before you are reminded that it's a big car that was never intended to be athletic. My experience in the more upscale SX version showed that car to be much more lithe,  but the upgraded suspension and wheels will cost, and do sacrifice some ride comfort.

The ride is well-controlled, threading the needle between Honda's occasionally harsh ride and Toyota's isolationist attitude. At freeway speeds, the noise levels get just high enough to raise the volume on the stereo, but never intrusive or unpleasant. The suspension absorbs most bumps quite well, transmitting the worst as muted kicks or jiggles.

The Cabin

The cabin was actually one my favorite parts of the car. If I didn't know better, I would have sworn I was getting into a much more expensive car. The leather-clad seats are soft and supportive. Again, not as firm as what you would expect in a Honda, but not soft enough to let you start sinking in. My biggest gripe is the leather-wrapped steering wheel. The designers were going for soft, but managed to make it slippery and very artificial-feeling.

I thought that the center console was very well laid out. I've read descriptions that say how similar it is to Audi. Frankly, I don't buy it. But it is handsome. Interestingly, the designers decided that it made sense to keep the console clutter-free while making the steering wheel buttons confusing. Where most cars have one set on the left and one set of buttons on the right, Kia adds a second set on both sides, meaning that my thumbs are always busy, and not often finding the right buttons.

The cabin feels all-around roomy. I'm six feet tall and can easily get comfortable in the driver's seat, and the back seat is still comfortable. We've used the car for longer, family trips and with two car-seats and enough gear to keep two small kids happy, the car never felt cramped. The trunk also, while about average for the segment at 15 cubic feet, was able to comfortably hold luggage and a stroller - key for traveling parents!

Recommendation

In case you hadn't already figured it out, I wound up buying the Optima. So, naturally, I think the car is worth consideration. It's not going to be perfect for everyone. But, if you need space, but aren't ready to sacrifice style, this could be the car for you. If you're a die-hard European car driver, this is not going to make you change your ways. It's also a great car for people who don't want to be driving the same thing as everyone else. But you'll have to move quickly. With sales numbers rising steadily, you'll be seeing a lot more Optimas over the next few months.

Welcome!

I've been observing the U.S. automotive market for years, so naturally, I have a lot of opinions. The trick for me now is to decide where to start. Given that we are coming to the end of the calendar year, I think it makes sense to look at the year's winners and losers. Maybe you'll agree. Maybe you'll disagree. But if you're like me, you'll definitely have your own opinions.

WINNERS

Kia Optima SX

Kia - If you first watched Kia's entry into the U.S. market a few years ago, you may have dismissed them as the latest Korean flop. And, perhaps if not for a couple key events, you'd probably be right. During 2012, with guidance from parent company, Hyundai, and vision from former Audi chief designer, Peter Schreyer, Kia has established itself as a brand with an identity and a bright future. In fact, sales figures early in 2012, led by the hot Optima sedan, reached all-time highs for the manufacturer and showed some of the highest growth in the market.

Fiat - I get it. I do. It's small, it's cute, and it's European. What's not to love? In fact, perhaps the only real mistake Fiat and it's American partner, Chrysler, made was to misjudge the demand for this Italian transplant. With the 500, and sportier 500 Abarth, Fiat has brought a little bit of Italian charm to a small car segment that is loaded with dull, stodgy cars. Mini has ruled this roost with an iron fist since BMW re-introduced this throwback in the early 2000's. Now, Fiat brings a car that is smaller, cheaper, and fresher. Will I still be calling Fiat a winner next year? Time will tell. Rumors of a Fiat sedan have me doubtful, and management needs to have a better assessment of the market to keep sales flowing.

LOSERS

Photo Credit: Dodge.com

Chrysler/Dodge - I hate Chrysler/Dodge. But I realize that I don't hate their cars. The 2013 Dart looks pretty cool, and I'm looking forward to getting behind the wheel. They have some good engines, and the designs aren't awful. But, it's because their cars are pretty good that I'm so disappointed. The problem? Their BRANDING. Who are they? Who is buying their cars? I bet a lot of people would say that Dodge builds tough-guy, muscle cars. So what tough guy is buying a Caravan? Is Chrysler a luxury car maker? Ummm...no, they aren't. But as a parent, I don't see the 300 as being a family car, either. If they can figure out who they are and if their consumers agree with that identity, I could see Chrysler coming back. But that would be quite a feat.

Nissan - Nissan was showing promise just a few years ago. They were a solid number three to Honda and Toyota, and were predicting big things for themselves. But, checking the headlines, you may have seen that the big doings for them all revolve around the near-exotic GT-R. Their brand new Altima? Hardly a whisper. In fact, I have a hard time spotting it on the streets. The Maxima, famously once compared to the 911 as a track car, sells about as many units as the $100K iconic sports car. And the Cube? Well, it's basically a square. Nissan may still be a top 3 Japanese name. But with the rise of the Koreans, and the renewed strength of Ford, that's no longer good enough to keep them relevant.