In the mail this week, my Consumer Reports 2009 Buyer’s Guide. I took a look at the auto section and a few things were clear immediately.
Best of the Best 1998-2007
Acura Integra, Acura MDX, Acura RL, Acura RSX, Acura TL, Acura TSX, BMW M3, Buick Lacrosse, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda CRV, Honda Element, Honda Odyssey, Honda Pilot, Honda S2000, Infiniti FX, Infiniti G35, Infiniti I30, Infiniti I35, Infiniti QX4, Lexus ES, Lexus GS, Lexus GX, Lexus IS, Lexus LS, Lexus RX, Lexus SC, Lincoln Continental, Linsoln Town Car, Mazda Millenia, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Mazda Protege, Mazda3, Mitsubishi Endeavor, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Altima, Nissan Maxima, Nissan Murano, Pontiac Vibe, Porsche 911, Scion tC, Scion xB, Subaru Baja, Subaru Forrester, Subaru Impreza, Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Camry, Toyota Camry Solara, Toyota Celica, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Echo, Toyota Highlander, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Matrix, Toyota Prius, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Sequoia, Toyota Sienna, Toyota Tundra, Volvo S60
Out of 63 “Best of” cars, only four were American-made. That’s 6.3%.
Worst of the Worst 1998-2007
Buick Rendezvous, Buick Terraza, Chevy Astro, Chevy Blazer, Chevy Colorado, Chevy S-10 Pickup, Chevy Uplander, Chevy Venture, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, GMC Canyon, GMC Jimmy, GMC Sonoma, GMC Safari, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Kia Sedona, Land Rover Discovery LR3, Lincoln Aviator, Mercedes SL, Nissan Armada, Olds Bravia, Olds Silhouette, Pontiac Aztec, Pontiac G6, Pontiac Montana, Saturn Relay, VW Cabriolet, VW Jetta (turbo), VW Jetta (v6), VW Touareg
Out of 33 “Worst of” cars, 22 were American-made. That 66%.