Consumer Reports: GM, Ford closing gap with foreign brands

Consumer Reports magazine says Detroit automakers are “heading in the right direction,” but warns in its most recent issue that Chrysler LLC appears to be falling behind General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co.

The magazine says its review of recent road tests and reliability reports on new models finds that Ford has matched the quality of foreign automakers on several models, while GM’s newer models have performed far better than predecessors.


“But they still lack the high level of consistency of the best automakers, such as Honda and Toyota,” the magazine adds.


The magazine also criticizes Chrysler’s lineup, saying many of its models rank toward the bottom of their categories, and none come recommended.


While Consumer Reports’ opinions are closely watched by the industry, it doesn’t always sway consumer choices.


Among the magazine’s pick for best Detroit models is the Ford Taurus X and Mercury Sable, two vehicles Ford plans to stop building in a matter of weeks due to slow sales. Its lowest-rated model from Detroit is the Jeep Wrangler, which is Chrysler’s fourth best-selling vehicle behind minivans and the Dodge Ram
http://www.freep.com/article/20090105/BUSINESS01/90105077

It got very high rankings for reliability. Knock wood, so far so good- routine maintenance and oil changes. I had a Camry before- it was a good car, but I had some problems with it- torn axle boots on a few occasions and some other issues- no car is perfect really, but I think the media give American cars a bad rap and that doesn't help the situation. They've improved quite a bit over the past 5 years.

oil all over hell's half acre. It got the kids to school and made it home without destroying the block; even without any oil in it. My mechanic fixed it quick and cheap. Other than that and a few other minor problems over the years it has been a fantastic vehicle. Good mileage, comfortable, great brakes and manuevering, and absolutely amazing power for a V6. I don't know what "vortec" means, but I love it. All in all, really a wonderful car. I will buy GM again no problem. I'm holding out for a Volt though...

I'm not going to criticize UAW members, because they do their jobs the way they are told to. (That is, those few who still have jobs.) It seems to me that management is the prime mover for consistency.

The quality car manufacturers - like Toyota - have solid design specs on everything that goes into their cars. Bolts, nuts, threading, stress tests, all the stuff that determines the basic sturdiness and durability of a car.

American car makers tried to imitate the "fit and finish" of well-made cars, but they cut corners. Why use high-tensile steel when melted-down soda cans will work and are cheaper? Who cares if that seat isn't designed for the standard wide American buttocks, or that the foam padding is made of old discarded angel food cakes?

Even the most dedicated and quality-conscious workers in the world can't make a good car if they're given a box of pinball machine parts and are told "Go build an engine out of that."

So don't look at the union rank and file as the problem. Stupidity comes from the top.

he drove a different model for a week. he could`t believe the quality of the materials and the fit/finish. i have driven many chrysler products over the years and the worse one is the newest generation. god awful cheap interior, design,it`s impossible to see out of. i can see why no one wants to buy these pieces of junk.

Clarkson was given a Crossfire and took it out for a test run around the countryside. He loved the handling, the power, and the comfort, but blasted Chrysler for ruining the car by slapping a cheap plastic interior into it. He said the car had the mechanical quality, performance, and design to rival a Mercedes, but Chrysler's crappy interior made it feel like a cheap Nissan. Their cost cutting attempts ruined what could have been a great seller (hint: nobody is going to pay Mercedes-money for a car with a cheap plasticky interior).

Seemed like a nice car to me, smooth and quiet.

As nice, but not as powerful, as the 2002 Acura 3.2 that's in the shop.

I couldn't find the temp control but I'm completely unfamiliar with the dash layout and only drove it a few miles.

I've known this for 10 years.