PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Market demands have changed so quickly in the past couple of years. But how does this short-term economic change affect the future of certain car brands?

What do people want? What do people need? Best gas mileage (or fuel alternatives), multi-functionality, low-cost maintenance, reliability? Will big engines, top speeds, and costly luxury amenities still be profitable in low production numbers?

I can think of a few brands that do not meet these requirements, and I can think of a few brands that can address these requirements.

Which brand (or models) do you think should call it quits?

Are there any brands or models that you would be appropriate in the U.S, either revived or brought into from other countries?

DISCUSS

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Get rid of today's Honda/Acura and replace it with Honda/Acura of the past.

2002GGPIS3

Ok I have a interesting take, for the record I think buick, GMC and Mercury should die, mainly because they have no young audience. But what really needs to happen is for Ford for example to bring there really nice models and mini cars, like the the proper european ford focus, including the Fous RS with 4wd and a turbo!, and also the pratical and small Ka, and fiesta. Also Ford should bring thier v6 turbo and V8 powered Falcons from austuralia. Apeaking of Australia cars, GM needs to have Holden here with their full lineup, or have them as rebadged pontiacs, like the GTO and G8. Also saturn should have all the cars from opel, they are doing this with the astra with postive results. Also the US should have proper Fiat's and Alfa Romeros, not just the uber expensive 8C. I would mention French cars, but we hate the French, and their cars just will not sell in the U.S., but a Renault Clio V6 would be cool. Lastly Volkswagon needs to sell Seat cars in the U.S., they can be bought in Mexico, and Seats are cool little cars.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Also, I wish the MR-2/Turbo and Supra were revived. Those two cars are some of my favorite, especially the Mr-2. We dont really have any more small japanese roasters, aside from the miata.

BMW should downsize their lineup. We dont need an X1, X3, X5, X6, X234, X3425-R. X5 is sufficient, and maybe X3 also for the niche group.

luxury1

Interesting post. I think Hummer, Mercury and Saab should be gone although I like all of these brands in different ways.

LexFather

Amen brother. Add Toyota to the list. And BMW

ArmyofOne

wow...honda haters huh? nothing wrong with this gen of hondas. its all preference anyway.

I say (and call me crazy) oldsmobile needs to come back...you know how many ALERO's i STILL see on the road?!

They needed a different image though. But seriously, with a little effort, Olds could be a moneymaker again!

Anthony

iTrader: (4)

Seriously! Make a sports car, better yet make a good looking car lol

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Not a Honda hater. We've owned more Hondas in the family than Toyotas. Currently have 2 Honda (this gen) and 2 Toyota products on the driveway right now.

Owning both 90s and 00s Honda, I can say without a doubt that Honda really cared about their cars back then. They were a leader in fuel economy, fun cars for the money, and innovation. Somewhere in the 00s, Honda lost sight of their old philosophy and decided to step down as a leader. Now they're just playing catch-up.

/troof

Top Hat

Saab and pontiac. Die die die die die die........

MadMax96

Easy...

Nuke Mercury - every car in their lineup is a rebadged Ford. Just offer more upscale packages on the Fords to compensate if anything...

Nuke Saturn - all their cars have always been bland and boring. The exception is the Sky, but it's just a rebadged Solstice anyway.

mmarshall

Yes and no.....not quite. Ford has the Focus, which Mercury has no version of, simply because he average Mercury customer is not shopping for asmall cars. Ford also has the Mustang, pickup trucks, and full-size vans that Mercury lacks a version of.

Mercury picks up some of the older, mid-large size car customers that Ford has trouble attracting, like with the Grand Marquis, which, except for taxi/police use, handily outsells the Crown Vic, especially with the general public.



No. What is needed is for Saturn to dump these steel-bodied Opel designs and bring back the plastic body panels and spin-off transmission filters of the 1990's, which were great features that helped make the company what it was. GM won't allow Saturn to do that, though, because of production costs.

flipspeed

i want to see dusenberg revived, alfa romeo to be sold in the US, and the toyota mr2 revived with a turbocharged 4.

herbvdh

AAAAAAAAAMENNNNNNN!!!! I like all three lets go for it. The Alfa Romeo Milano Platinum or Silver was very nice.

The Solstice/Skye is nothing but a knock off of a Lotus Elise if I want this style car it would be a Lotus Elise.

darkdream

Bring back toyota's supra!