Make Your Predictions! What Trends Or Key Events Will Happen In Autos In 2011?

Ah! 2010 has come and gone, thankfully. It wasn't the best of years but it certainly wasn't another 2009, that's for sure.

The automotive industry picked itself up after one of the worst years in the business and dusted itself off. Although cars weren't rolling off dealership lots faster than the assembly line could churn them out but that's what happens during a systemic economic collapse.

Brands like Audi and Hyundai had record-setting years while others, like Smart, experienced some difficulty.

Then there were the recalls! Yikes, what a mess! Hopefully 2011 will put an end to Recallfest.

But what will 2011 bring? It's a lot like a racetrack: there's a lot of room out there for manufacturers to surprise but there's also the possibility that they could lose all control.

With that said, we want to know what you think is the NEXT step for the automotive industry. What can you take from 2010 and see automakers doing for 2011?


**Make your predictions down below


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theoptimisticpessimist - 12/31/2010 6:23:14 PM

+20 Boost

The public will figure out that matte paint is a pain in the ass and real does look like primer. Matte paints 15 minutes of fame will only last 3 1/2 minutes.

SHOWTIME - 12/31/2010 6:49:41 PM

+5 Boost

LOL

delan - 1/1/2011 11:51:48 AM

+4 Boost

^^ +1

Stevez - 12/31/2010 6:26:42 PM

+7 Boost

American sales will be up by a lot looking at what's to come from the Detroit three! ;)

Lexus - 12/31/2010 6:37:08 PM

+12 Boost

More DRL LED's lights on al new cars coming from all or most automaker. And I think the sales of cars will go up for 2011 because a lot of new cars are coming out. It should be an exciting years if you're a car fanatic and has the money to buy a new car or cars.

And hopefully the economy will turn around Not just in the U.S but the entire world as well, it would be nice. And have a safe, Happy and Prosperous New Year autospies and it members.

mini22 - 12/31/2010 8:01:53 PM

+2 Boost

Sub Prime lenders have already been able to extend auto loans to people with lower credit scores(below 650). Look for this situation to continue for both new and used cars. My prediction is that credit will start to lossen up throughout the lending industry(including small business loans) and eventually finally mortgages again.

91z4me - 1/1/2011 11:34:11 AM

0 Boost

Why do you think the Focus will be a miss?

delan - 1/1/2011 11:54:15 AM

0 Boost

You had me until you say the Yankees lose.

91z4me - 1/1/2011 2:35:42 PM

0 Boost

Well thought out points. Although the Cruze will be a tougher sell, IMO, at the higher price points the Focus could very well be a smashing success (like it is in Europe).

t_bone - 12/31/2010 11:23:47 PM

+8 Boost

Gas prices...way up again.

Agent001 - 1/1/2011 1:27:25 AM

-3 Boost

Apple makes more inroads inside the car
Elantra success will send a shiver like no other to Toyota/Honda/Ford/GM
Countryman is solid winner for MINI
Fiat 500 flops
Explorer wins big with the ladies
Evoque elevates RR to new heights

001

91z4me - 1/1/2011 11:35:17 AM

+3 Boost

Agreed with everything except the 500. I don't think Fiat is looking for huge sales numbers the 1st year. I think they are just looking to dip their toes and build from there.

528i - 1/1/2011 5:56:53 AM

+5 Boost

BMW M5: big hit

ucla95 - 1/1/2011 8:15:50 AM

+2 Boost

$4.50 gasoline prompting protests and a release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
-- also SUV sales crater and resale values get destroyed. Prius goes on allocation again.

kjg48359 - 1/1/2011 9:09:36 AM

+3 Boost

At some point, raising gas prices will move people to dump their SUVs to run to the grocery store. It will be exciting to see the development of more alternate fuels and drive trains as we finally can move away from the dependency of gas, something that cannot happen while gas remains cheep.

uaw_lax - 1/1/2011 9:44:59 AM

+1 Boost

Ok i will be the bad guy here and say what everyone already knows... by june or july gas will be around $3.75 to $3.90 pushing the sales of electric and hybrid cars pass previous levels.

tango - 1/1/2011 11:37:43 AM

+1 Boost

1. Fuel prices will creep past $4/gallon
2. Prius/Volt/LEAF will see sales increases.
3. Manufacturers will start to talk about diesels again (Honda will start yapping away again with announcements about an Accord diesel, which will (as per usual for Honda these days) will be all talk and no delivery; GM will start to release more news on their mid-sized offering; VW/M-B/BMW will continue to boast about their commitment to diesels and announce cheaper offerings).

AgentOrange - 1/1/2011 1:02:12 PM

-1 Boost

Gas prices will fall below $1.00 a gallon.

geoff448 - 1/1/2011 3:48:14 PM

0 Boost

Hyundai will dominate, GM will be impressive, toyota and honda will get their act together

THESCOOTER - 1/1/2011 5:11:25 PM

-1 Boost

1. Kia surprises everyone with big Optima sales
2. Toyota struggles for 2011
3. Honda develops halo-concept vehicle to sort out current model malaise and provide future direction
4. Ford crushes it in 2011
5. Subaru continues to roll into the mainstream
6. BMW-Lexus-Infiniti sales suffer from lack of progression
7. Turbo charging runs wild
8. GM will be...well GM

THESCOOTER - 1/2/2011 2:20:21 PM

+1 Boost

OK, as an aside to the folks @ autospies...you should re-post the comments to this in Dec 11 to see who was close and who was completely out to lunch! I need some vindication for being de-boosted

irishmike - 1/2/2011 11:31:26 AM

+2 Boost

Inflation all around. Gas prices up. Auto market will retain some value-leaders because of competition. Hyundai makes huge gains. American manufacturers will need to keep re-investing in new product developement or their recent successes will be short lived.
Premium priced small cars will sell if the feature/value, etc. is there.
Truck based SUV's will continue to sink in favor of the crossover. Luxury makes will continue to do well as the rich get richer. More new technology continues to appear--mind boggling features we only could dream of a short time ago.

toolatetorace - 1/2/2011 11:34:41 AM

+1 Boost

The constant up and down cycling of fuel prices so the investors can have the , buy low and sell high transactions to keep repeating for the profit takers