American automakers have been putting a lot of emphasis on quality and reliability to regain their creditability with consumers. They must be disappointed with the latest rankings from Consumer Reports. Only Ford showed progress, but could not crack the top ten. Chrysler slipped two points to remain in the cellar. The big mover was Hyundai jumping from 9th place last year to 4th, just behind Toyota.
Recalls and safety campaigns seem to be happening with alarming regularity in recent weeks. Toyota has captured headlines with their safety recalls and the speed in which the problems have been identified and addressed. The latest automaker with potential problems is Chrysler. The automaker is replacing airbag sensors and is quick to point out that this is a "safety improvement campaign" and not a recall.
Only a couple of years ago automakers and lenders could not run away from leasing fast enough. Plummeting residual values of SUVs and trucks were creating unsustainable losses. Now, leasing is making a comeback and may account for a quarter of all sales contracts in 2010. The same customer motivations - more car with a lower monthly payment - is driving the surge.
Advanced vehicle technology can involve the replacement of ignition keys with an encoded button and computer controlled throttle, shift brake and steering. These don't work the same as the analog systems drivers are accustomed to and lack of retraining has been a factor in serious crashes.
Tire design and compounds specifically for driving on snow and ice will reduce stopping distance and improve grip while cornering. Drivers in the US snow belt may benefit from seasonal tire changes rather than relying on all-season tires.