This blog cites General Motors Corp. (GM), Ford Motor Co. (F), Toyota Motors (TM), Honda Motor Co. (HMC), Daimler, Inc. (DAI), Nissan Motors (NSANY) and others.
Zacks senior auto industry analyst Paul Raman, CFA recently published his extensive notes on the San Diego Auto Show, and we pulled his positive stories to illustrate where -- if anywhere -- automakers might have demonstrated a workable starting point.
NISSAN
Altima - Sales are up 2%. Gas mileage is excellent, in the 23-24 MPG range. Prices range from $22-27K. The car has 55% US content and 21% Japanese content. Overall, the interior could use some improvement, and there appeared to be not enough leg room. There is a hybrid version that costs $30K and gets 34 MPG.
Rogue - This is a hot-selling crossover that gets 25 MPG with 4/5 star safety and a $27K price tag. There is 100% Japanese content.
Versa - Sales are up 13%. This hatchback gets 28 MPG and has 4 star safety. The price is low, at 18K. There is 12% US, 34% Japan and 42% Mexico content. Overall, there is not much room and the interior needs improvement.
HONDA
Accord - Sales are up 2% for this car that gets 25 MPG. There is 4/5 star safety and 65% US content/20% Japan content. The price is $25-30K, and the interior is nice and sporty. This car has one of the best smog emissions ratios.
Civic - Sales are up 10% for this sporty car that gets 31 MPG with a nice interior. There is 4/5 star safety, and the price is $18-24K. There is 60% US and 30% Japanese content. Smog emission levels are excellent. There is a natural gas version and a hybrid version that gets 42 MPG and costs $24K.
Fit - This is a hot-selling crossover that gets 30 MPG and has 4/5 star safety. The cost is $19K. Smog emissions are 25% below average. The interior is futuristic and 100% of content is from Japan.
DAIMLER
M-Class (Mercedes Benz) - Sales are up 6% for these SUVs that have a retro interior and get 18 MPG. There is not enough legroom and the price is $47-55K.
C-Class (Mercedes Benz) - Sales are up 24% for this classy looking car with a nice interior. There is plenty of room and mileage is 18-19 MPG. The price is $33-40K.
VOLKSWAGEN
Jetta - Sales are up 13% for this car that costs $25K and gets 25 MPG. The interior needs to be improved and there is not enough leg room. Emissions are 30% below average.
HYUNDAI
Elantra - Sales are up 15% for this $17-18K car. Mileage is 29 MPG. This is a rather plain car that needs a major interior upgrade.
FORD
Focus - Sales are up 22% for this 30 MPG car that is 50% US sourced and 20% Mexico sourced. The cost is $18K and there is 4/5 star protection. The interior needs a major upgrade, and this is a rather basic car. Emissions are 70% below average.
Fusion - Sales are up 5% for this car that gets 24 MPG and has a cost of $25-30K. Emissions are average. This car is 55% from the US and 40% from Mexico. This is a very stylish car that has a nice interior.
TOYOTA
Yaris - Sales are up 27% for this car that gets 32 MPG and has a 4 star crash rating with a economical price of $16K. There is not enough leg room and a strange dashboard. The interior needs a major upgrade.
MINI (owned by BMW)
Mini - Sales are up 31% for this unique car. The price is $22-24K. It is a strange looking car with a strange dashboard. There is very little leg room and the car is small with a retro interior. The interior needs some major improvement. Doors are also unusual on this vehicle.
GM:
CHEVROLET
Malibu - Sales are up 37% for this sporty car with an excellent interior and retro concept. The car gets 28 MPG and costs $28K. There is 4/5 star crash protection and has 80% US content. This car emits 70% less pollution than average. There is a hybrid version that gets 30 MPG and costs $26K.
Cobalt - Sales are up 3% for this sporty looking car with a decent interior. Mileage is 31 MPG with 4/5 star crash rating. Content is 71% US and 16% Mexico. The cost is only $16K and smog emission levels are excellent.
PONTIAC
G6 - Sales are up 6% for this car with 21 MPG and 80% US content. There is 4/5 star safety and a price of $31-33K. The interior is sporty, but needs some improvement. Smog emissions are 30% above average.
SATURN
Vue - Sales are flat for this crossover that gets 22 MPG and has a retro interior. There is 4/5 star safety and the price is $24-29K. There is 35% US and 46% Mexico content. Smog emissions are 35% above average. There is a hybrid version that costs 28K and gets 29 MPG.
Read the full analyst report on GM.
Read the full analyst report on F.
Read the full analyst report on TM.
Read the full analyst report on HMC.
Read the full analyst report on DAI.
Read the full analyst report on NSANY.
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