My general thoughts about the state of the auto industry...
Since I've now driven even more cars than before I've got a good indication of how most of the automakers are doing. You can tell how they're doing just by the cars they're making, the nicer the car the more likely they're going to do well and on the reverse the more awful the car is the less likely they'll survive. So here's how I think they've shaped up so far.
GM: They can survive...if they continue the trend they're proceeding. The Malibu, CTS, Acadia are very good cars that drive well and have good interior design. Cars like the Cobalt, HHR and Impala need to have their quality moved up to the level of the better 3. As for the Daewoo models like the Aveo, Optra and Epica...scrap them...they're junk and help the perception GM makes low quality vehicle.
Ford: They're improving drastically. Every single Ford since the improved 2008 Taurus has had major overhauls to the interior. The early Focus had a nasty interior, the new 2008+ one is actually very inviting and pleasant. No wonder why Ford actually has money...now if they bring Ford of Europe's driving dynamics to their American lineup, if Ford needs convincing...the Mazda 3's sales success is all they need as proof.
Chrysler: They're headed for doom. The vast majority of these suffer from very cheap, unappealing interiors. The PT hasn't been updated since 2001 so the PT's fad popularity died meaning they ruined a potential cash cow. Other cars like the 300 need updating. The Caliber, Compass, Patriot, Sebring, Avenger and Durango are horrible, they need to be scrapped. Even their last cash cow the Caravan has been downgraded...the older 2007 one is better equipped and better designed...sadly. I don't think this company has much chance to survive, bail out money will just delay the inevitable.
Toyota: Quality has gone down. Plastics quality in particular are very poor in newer Toyotas. Fuel efficiency, ergonomics and so far reliability still seem to be intact. A company once known for its commitment to quality seems to have fallen. Most of their product lineup is very bland giving buyers little reason to quickly buy any of them. They better be careful not to continue this trend of cost cutting or they will be in Chrysler territory.
Honda: I don't see much issue with Honda since they're up to date with their interiors unlike Toyota while having the same items that make Toyota such a strong brand. I think Honda has a good chance of going up.
Nissan: So far the Nissans are actually quite decent so long as they're not made in Mexico. The Versas and Sentras are some of the worst built vehicles I've come across. The US made Altima on the other hand is an excellent vehicle with no build quality problems I've seen.
Mazda: This is a company I see doing very well. Every single one I've driven had a lasting impression making me want to drive them again and again. Driving dynamics are very important and Mazda seems to be the ace as this. Quality seems to be pretty good particularly the cars from Japan.
Mitsubishi: This company sort of is like a poor man's Mazda. They got either decent or good driving dynamics...not quite like Mazda. The reason I say poor man's Mazda is...the interiors in all their cars are bad. They're very cheap looking and in the case of the Galant...trim pieces look out of place. If they could design a nicer higher quality interior they may not need that impressive warranty to convince buyers.
Hyundai: Things are looking very good for this company. I must say they surprised me, their best cars unlike many other companies are their newest cars. A 2009 Sonata is much better than a 2008 despite looking almost the same on the outside. Everything on these cars have improved, I'm actually looking forward to what this company can do.
Kia: They're always a step behind Hyundai since they are owned by them(after all why would Hyundai ruin their own brand for Kia?) so they're not that good right now.
Volkswagen: I haven't changed much about my thoughts about this company. They're selling overpriced mediocre cars. If you think buying "Germany engineering" is worth nearly $4000-5000 more than the equivalent car...I don't know what to say...I hate being ripped off. Even their "City" brand cars are rip offs, the City Jetta is the same price as a new Corolla but is poorly equipped and outdated(its a previous Jetta model). For a company that calls itself "the people's car" you need to be some well off people. Until they stop with the rip offs they'll not be better value than American or Japanese cars.
Volvo: Their future is uncertain. They make good cars these days, but with Ford ready to give them up to the highest bidder...they might no longer make good cars. You can tell Ford of Europe's influence in the C30 and S40, they drive nicely after all.
Anyways that's my take. I think that's all the mainstream brands. It would be nice if I've driven the luxury brands to know if you're paying Audi, Merc or BMW the extra wads of cash for something worthwhile unlike VW.
GM: They can survive...if they continue the trend they're proceeding. The Malibu, CTS, Acadia are very good cars that drive well and have good interior design. Cars like the Cobalt, HHR and Impala need to have their quality moved up to the level of the better 3. As for the Daewoo models like the Aveo, Optra and Epica...scrap them...they're junk and help the perception GM makes low quality vehicle.
Ford: They're improving drastically. Every single Ford since the improved 2008 Taurus has had major overhauls to the interior. The early Focus had a nasty interior, the new 2008+ one is actually very inviting and pleasant. No wonder why Ford actually has money...now if they bring Ford of Europe's driving dynamics to their American lineup, if Ford needs convincing...the Mazda 3's sales success is all they need as proof.
Chrysler: They're headed for doom. The vast majority of these suffer from very cheap, unappealing interiors. The PT hasn't been updated since 2001 so the PT's fad popularity died meaning they ruined a potential cash cow. Other cars like the 300 need updating. The Caliber, Compass, Patriot, Sebring, Avenger and Durango are horrible, they need to be scrapped. Even their last cash cow the Caravan has been downgraded...the older 2007 one is better equipped and better designed...sadly. I don't think this company has much chance to survive, bail out money will just delay the inevitable.
Toyota: Quality has gone down. Plastics quality in particular are very poor in newer Toyotas. Fuel efficiency, ergonomics and so far reliability still seem to be intact. A company once known for its commitment to quality seems to have fallen. Most of their product lineup is very bland giving buyers little reason to quickly buy any of them. They better be careful not to continue this trend of cost cutting or they will be in Chrysler territory.
Honda: I don't see much issue with Honda since they're up to date with their interiors unlike Toyota while having the same items that make Toyota such a strong brand. I think Honda has a good chance of going up.
Nissan: So far the Nissans are actually quite decent so long as they're not made in Mexico. The Versas and Sentras are some of the worst built vehicles I've come across. The US made Altima on the other hand is an excellent vehicle with no build quality problems I've seen.
Mazda: This is a company I see doing very well. Every single one I've driven had a lasting impression making me want to drive them again and again. Driving dynamics are very important and Mazda seems to be the ace as this. Quality seems to be pretty good particularly the cars from Japan.
Mitsubishi: This company sort of is like a poor man's Mazda. They got either decent or good driving dynamics...not quite like Mazda. The reason I say poor man's Mazda is...the interiors in all their cars are bad. They're very cheap looking and in the case of the Galant...trim pieces look out of place. If they could design a nicer higher quality interior they may not need that impressive warranty to convince buyers.
Hyundai: Things are looking very good for this company. I must say they surprised me, their best cars unlike many other companies are their newest cars. A 2009 Sonata is much better than a 2008 despite looking almost the same on the outside. Everything on these cars have improved, I'm actually looking forward to what this company can do.
Kia: They're always a step behind Hyundai since they are owned by them(after all why would Hyundai ruin their own brand for Kia?) so they're not that good right now.
Volkswagen: I haven't changed much about my thoughts about this company. They're selling overpriced mediocre cars. If you think buying "Germany engineering" is worth nearly $4000-5000 more than the equivalent car...I don't know what to say...I hate being ripped off. Even their "City" brand cars are rip offs, the City Jetta is the same price as a new Corolla but is poorly equipped and outdated(its a previous Jetta model). For a company that calls itself "the people's car" you need to be some well off people. Until they stop with the rip offs they'll not be better value than American or Japanese cars.
Volvo: Their future is uncertain. They make good cars these days, but with Ford ready to give them up to the highest bidder...they might no longer make good cars. You can tell Ford of Europe's influence in the C30 and S40, they drive nicely after all.
Anyways that's my take. I think that's all the mainstream brands. It would be nice if I've driven the luxury brands to know if you're paying Audi, Merc or BMW the extra wads of cash for something worthwhile unlike VW.