If left to the fickled whims of the market, there would probably have been a major shake down of the industry and one or two of the three American colossals may have failed. That would have led to many changes including fewer models available to consumers and, just as in Darwinian forests, the strong would have survived.
But wait a minute. Isn’t that happening now? Because of the predicament the American auto industry finds itself, the Detroit Three are making cost cutting decisions that include the paring down of the models they offer to the market. And, in order to make decisions that would hopefully prove right for the future, the execs who decide on model survival will select those that appear to be strongest as far as demand is concerned.
The fact is what is happening to the American automakers have put a bee in the bonnet of the other automakers worldwide. They see what is happening to GM, Ford, and Chrysler and they don’t want any part of it. So they are making tough decisions, too.
So what cars impress? Some auto industry writers have come up with their favorites.
• Honda FCX Clarity: This vehicle proves that Honda is ready for the hydrogen age.
• BMW 123D: It runs on a diesel engine and has a fuel economy of 50 mpg.
• Pontiac G8: A sedan that has the roomy and rich features Americans love and the driveability Europeans love as well as an affordable price that all can love.
What follows next are models that auto industry pundits wouldn’t mind seeing Darwininized.
• BMW X6: It’s powerful, too expensive and it is hard to figure out what it is -- a hatchback of a wagon?
• Honda Pilot: Once favored by many, the next Pilot appears to be more of a truck than anything else and this is a bad time for trucks.
• Infiniti FX50: The previous generation FX50 turned heads, this one doesn’t have the lines or athletic appearance that attracted attention and it has too much power and too much heft.
• Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid: It’s too expensive -- thousands of dollars more than the regular Tahoe.
These cars fall into the category of “The Eye of the Beholder.”
• SmartForTwo: It is fuel efficient and affordable and maybe even fun to drive but driveability is impaired because of jerking during shifts.
• Kia Borrego: An SUV during a time when SUVs are not in favor.
• Jaguar XF: A Jag, what’s not to love about a Jag. Still many don’t like the styling and some say it looks too much like a Japanese near luxury car.
• Nissan Rouge: An affordable crossover? It costs $30,000 and appears coarse and tinny.