With 2009 Almost Half Over, Which Companies Are Poised Best To Finish The Year The Strongest?

It's hard to believe as I sit here enjoying a great Memorial Day Weekend on the beach in Santa Monica, that 2009 is almost half over.

And it's been quite the roller coaster year so far for ALL the auto companies.

Some are faring better than others but anyone will tell you they are ALL scared.

So which companies have surprised you or disappointed you this year?

For good or for bad.

And tell us which ones will finish 09 with upward momentum and which ones will be on the ropes or knocked out?

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0to60 - 5/25/2009 2:45:53 AM

+1 Boost

Lexus, LOL!

MrBratwurst - 5/25/2009 9:14:39 AM

0 Boost

Hyundai/Kia, little doubt about it.

2009 1st Quarter results are excellent when compared to their competition. Hyundai marketshare increased from 4.0 to 4.7, they profits fell 43% only. The industry best profit decline is Audi's 30%, Volkswagen suffered 70% decrease.

Hyundai/Kia have a lot of what you need now. They:
- offer lots of low priced models
- are based and operate strongly in Asia which basically owns all the western indebted world and where the XXI century will actually happen
- have just got styling of most of their cars right
- push strongy with hybridization and solid standard technology (turbocharged engines, advanced automatics)

Just look at their affordable compact car:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_website/gallery.php?id=290295

vwrules - 5/25/2009 10:13:05 AM

-1 Boost

Hyundai but if they keep trying to go upscale that may mess with their bottom line.Vw tried this to and with Goverment passing laws by the minute just keep it simple build good little cars and make a profit.

0to60 - 5/25/2009 12:26:51 PM

+1 Boost

That and in this economy, small cheap cars are the way to go. Someone needs to fill that market and I think hyundai does a decent job at filling that important niche.

inspirion7 - 5/25/2009 12:48:14 PM

+1 Boost

Ok I'll give in to this self-serving post. Of course, seeing how Hyundai is doing, it's definitely got most of its duck lined up. Ford is doing very well, better than most expected (except Ford) and don't count out Subaru and Suzuki.

Lamborghini_vs_Ferrari_Racer - 5/25/2009 1:06:48 PM

0 Boost

Your list is up to the mark Hyundai smoke but do not forget Suzuki low down and Jaguar making a nice comeback with the XF on the upper end of the market.

pageman - 5/25/2009 2:21:24 PM

+2 Boost

infiniti

globaltrader - 5/25/2009 3:23:52 PM

+1 Boost

Lets give the domestics a shout out, fresh out of cut of court with fresh capital (They personaly want to thank alll of you bimmer fans), Sweeet!!!
Kidding aside, they will be poised to hit it hard--so there you go.

Jordanski - 5/25/2009 8:18:32 PM

-1 Boost

Toyota and Subaru.

Jordanski - 5/27/2009 1:37:48 AM

+1 Boost

Okay there, coming from a Hyundai enthusiast.

XYZZ - 5/27/2009 8:02:31 AM

+1 Boost

can't give away camrys? wtf are you smoking? that only happens to be the MOST popular sedan in the whole USA.

as for the yaris, that happens to be one of the rare toyota models that is NOT recommended by CR. not for reliability issues (where NO maker bests toyota beyond the 5 year mark), but merely for driving dynamics.

abcd - 5/26/2009 12:12:37 PM

+2 Boost

I wonder why in America some fanatics are so overhyping Hyundai only becouse they have progressed to a point when they're no longer doing a crap, something like this isn't happening in Europe.

Jordanski - 5/27/2009 1:54:53 AM

+1 Boost

Dude, enough with the opinion essay(s) every time someone disses Hyundai.