Ratings of Car companies.

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http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...716-10d7n.html

Making the grade JEZ SPINKS
July 17, 2010

As car makers cross the halfway point of the year, who's passing and who's failing? JEZ SPINKS reports.

Similar to the school of hard knocks, Drive's College of Automotive Excellence is not exactly an official educational institution. But as students come to grips with the start of a new term, we thought it was an apt time to examine the progress of the leading car brands.

There's certainly plenty of optimism running throughout the DCAE campus, after a torrid 2009 in which aspirations were crushed by self-destructing financial organisations.

Sales of 531,168 vehicles for the first six months of 2010 surpassed the 524,376 units sold to end of June in 2007 - the year that went on to become the record for the Australian automotive market.

The peak industry body, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, remains cautious about whether the million mark will be exceeded again.

It says this year's sales figures may have been artificially inflated by carry-over orders from last year's generous government tax incentives for fleet buyers.

There's also the constant threat of interest rate rises, which could put a damper on sales in the second half of the year. But most car makers have recorded growth so far and are positive about the rest of the year.

Showroom acumen is a key part of Drive's assessment criteria, though we also scrutinise each of the manufacturers' product ranges to determine whether their vehicles are making the grade.

Gold stars are awarded to each maker for its biggest achievement but there's also detention for the biggest disappointment.

Forty-five-odd brands are "enrolled" but we focus on the industry's class of 2010 - the top 20 car makers based on local sales for the first half of the year, working our way down the list from the most popular brand, Toyota, to relative minnow Volvo, which just scrapes in at the end of the roll-call.

Drive dons its mortarboard and robe to find out who graduates with honours, who scrapes a pass and who's in danger of expulsion.

Toyota

B+ subject: sales
Still Australia's best-selling brand by a big margin, though market share has dropped half a per cent and profit wiped out by huge tax slug.

C subject: product
Demonstrates remarkable consistency, yet no Toyota is a benchmark in its respective segment. Boxy Rukus introduced to funk up Toyota's image, though a new sports car would have a greater impact.

Gold star
Marketing. Accused by some of bullying tactics with its multimillion-dollar annual spends but no denying strength of company's advertising power.

Science. Built a petrol-electric family car, the Camry hybrid.

Detention
Engineering. Blotted its copybook on quality with multi-vehicle recall. Called to headmaster's office (US Congress) for a verbal caning over safety.

C+ overall grade
The manufacturer is top of the class for sales but its products still leave room for improvement.

Holden

B subject: sales
Korean imports Barina, Captiva and Cruze spearheaded a 22 per cent increase over past 12 months. Commodore on track for another year as Australia's best-selling car.

C subject: product
Showed shrewd management replacing European imports with cheaper GM Daewoo cars but latest Opel products suggest customers will miss out on enticing options.

Gold star
Homework. For Cruze (pictured). Even before it benefits from the "Made-in-Oz" tag it will wear in 2011, the new small car is racing up sales charts.

Detention
Economics. Posted biggest loss in its history — $210.6 million — for 2009.

C+ overall grade
Needs to focus more on quality work and less on quantity.

Ford

C- subject: sales
Sales up 5.9 per cent but market share below 10 per cent. Weaker than it should be in two of the country's biggest segments - small cars and compact soft-roaders.

B- Subject: product
Strong blend of EWurp-sourced models and home-grown gems. Arrival of next-generation Focus next year should be a much-needed boost in vital small-car segment.

Gold star
Economics. For accountants, going into the black in 2009 ($13 million post-tax profit).

Detention
Economics. Cost-cutting on safety. Curtain airbags are still not standard on most Falcons and not avaliable at all on the Fiesta light car.

B- overall grade
Quality work but needs to be betterorganised and spend more time planning new projects.

Mazda

B subject: sales
Solid if unspectacular performance in first half of year. Sales up 11.1 per cent but below market average of 16.7 per cent.

A subject: product
Relatively small line-up but not a single passanger car or soft-roader that doesn't come recommended. Strong communicator (with consumers).

Gold star
Economics. Sales of CX-7 soft-roader almost tripled after introduction of cheaper, front-drive version.

Detention
Physics. Road noise in most models has yet to be eradicated as an Achilles heel.

A- overall grade
Still a class favourite with private buyers. And deservedly so.

Hyundai

A+ subject: sales
Awarded dux for most improved, as a 41.5 per cent year-on-year jump has the manufacturer threatening to overtake Mazda and Ford.

C subject: product
Range gradually being overhauled with newer, i-badged models. Build quality and interior becoming consistently good. Latest assignments, however, haven't quite matched its best work (i30, pictured).

Gold star
Design. Fast developing improved design skills. Even if ix35 and i45 have polarising looks, they're not bland.

Detention
Physics. Write 100 times: "We will create cars that steer, ride and handle better."

B overall grade
Continues to excel at value but more homework needed on dynamics (driving fun).

Mitsubishi

B+ subject: sales
It may no longer be one of the locals but Mitsubishi continues to make good progress as import-only operation. Sales up nearly 20 per cent.

C- subject: product
Triton ute is pick of the dual-cab commercial vehicles, Lancer Evo is an enthusiast's dream, though otherwise models are steady rather than a stand-out.

Gold star
Science. Poised to be first maker to sell an electric car in Australia.

Detention
Economics. Fledgling technology and lack of government subsidies means tiny i-MiEV electric car will cost about $70,000.

B overall grade
Could do better.

Nissan

B+ subject: sales
Plenty of merit in the Japanese brand's showroom form with Micra, Maxima, Dualis and 370Z all notable achievers.

B- subject: product
Shows great diversity with fine sports cars (GT-R, 370Z) and SUVs (X-Trail), though needs a small-car contender that's more inspirational than the bland Tiida (pictured).

Gold star
Economics. Revised pricing and expanded range have transformed Dualis hatch-cum-SUV into a star sales performer.

Detention
History. Changing Pulsar name to Tiida was a schoolboy error.

B overall grade
Few blemishes on Nissan's record.

Honda
D subject: sales
Sales have flatlined (-0.6 per cent) despite a market that is making a healthy recovery from the global credit crunch.

B subject: product
Proves it has a strong understanding of most segments with efforts such as Jazz (light, pictured), Accord Euro (medium), Accord (large), CR-V (compact SUV) and Odyssey (people-mover).

Gold star
Social studies. Odyssey. Defies convention that people-movers must be boring to look at and drive.

Detention
Homework. For occasional tardiness. Insight hatch and CR-Z coupe hybrid models taking an eon to reach Australia. Latter not here until second half of 2011.

C overall grade
A slide in popularity but not quality.

Subaru
B subject: sales
Only five models but loyal following and unimpeachable reputation for quality ensures Subaru remains popular. Sales up 11 per cent, though VW is breathing down its neck.

B subject: product
Tribeca the weakest link, though otherwise a highly capable range of vehicles - of which Liberty/Outback is the pick.

Gold star
Technology. Has at last introduced a diesel engine - and a horizontally opposed "boxer" one at that.

Detention
Design. Styling of models such as Impreza and Liberty gets sniggered at in the playground.

B- overall grade
Continues to give lessons in brand-customer relationship but overall performance this year just satisfactory.

Volkswagen
B+ subject: sales
Has propped up top-10 table since 2006 but now threatening to overtake both Honda and Subaru after another consecutive year of strong growth (up 21 per cent).

A subject: product
Consistently good models and, worryingly for its rival, VW will enter the ute market later this year with the Amarok.

Gold star
Sport. Continues to fill trophy cabinet with silverware - including 2009 Drive Car of the Year awards for the Golf 118TSI and sporty GTI.

Detention
Engineering. Continues to underperform in JD Power's reputable quality surveys.

A- overall grade
Highly respected by its peers.

Kia

B+ subject: sales
Hasn't been able to match the feats of parent company Hyundai but 25 per cent growth is still admirable.

C- subject: product
The likes of Cerato and Soul show there's no shortage of effort, though more attention to engineering detail is needed.

Gold star
Design. Cerato sedan and coupe, and forthcoming Sportage (pictured), prove Kias can at least look desirable.

Detention
Engineering. Has yet to deliver a watershed model like Hyundai's i30.

C overall grade
Growing in confidence and could be one to watch in a few years' time.

Suzuki
B+ subject: sales
Higher-than-average (23 per cent) increase in sales, though ambition to break into top 10 remains a pipe dream for now.

C subject: product

Inconsistent results suggest company is easily distracted. Followed good Swift with so-so SX4 and Alto small cars, then this year launched the well received Kizashi medium-sized sedan (pictured).
Gold star
Engineering. New Kizashi is company's biggest car yet — and its best.

Detention
Sport. Where's the turbocharged Swift GTI?

C+ overall grade
More focus needed.

BMW

C subject: sales
A gain of less than 10 per cent has allowed fast-growing Audi to sniff blood for the first time in the German sales face-off.

B subject: product
Models remain the driver's choice in the luxury segment though Mercedes has closed the gap in some areas. Styling starting to settle after a period of flouting basic rules of design, though continues to explore unusual niches (5-Series Gran Turismo limo-wagon, X6 "coupe", pictured) to bolster sales.

Gold star
Science. Can boast the best fuel-efficiency improvements in the luxury-car market.

Detention
Design and engineering. 5-Series Gran Turismo. Perhaps a niche too far; doesn't ride or steer as a BMW should.

C+ overall grade
Still more hits than misses.

Mercedes-Benz
B- subject: sales
Growth identical to 16.7 per cent average; a mainly positive result for one of the elders of the establishment.

B subject: product
Hatchbacks, SUVs, sedans, coupes, convertibles and supercars... Breadth of vehicle choice makes rival luxury makers' ranges look relatively barren in comparison. Remarkable product consistency, of which latest E-Class sedan (pictured) is the highlight.

Gold star
Economics. C-Class continues to outsell the once-infallible BMW 3-Series.

Detention
History. CLC coupe. Essentially just the old C-Class coupe with a new top hat.

Overall grade
May be one of the elders of the establishment but continues to have its finger on the zeitgeist.

Audi

A subject: sales
Up 28.8 per cent year on year. Two years of local growth have furrowed the (high) brows of rivals BMW and Mercedes. Odds are shortening on Audi achieving its aim of becoming No.1 luxury brand by 2015.

B- subject: product
A prolific number of new models are being created, though Audi is still achieving admirable consistency. Exterior and interior design continue to be strong suits. Curiously, ride quality typically more comfortable on sportier models than luxury-focused vehicles.

Gold star
Sport. R8 (pictured). Audi's boldest model yet but a genuine supercar alternative.

Detention
Physics. Some erroneous suspension tuning of luxury cars such as A4 and A5.

B overall grade
Keep up the good work.

Lexus

B subject: sales
Twenty per cent growth is second only to Audi in luxury-car world, though still well out of striking distance of the Germans.

C subject: product
Reputation for refined and superbly assembled vehicles remains intact but so does notoriety for handling that is comparatively unengaging. IS F a bold but incomplete step into performance territory.

Gold star
Economics. The most generous pupil in the rich boys' school, offering standard features that would be costly options on rivals.

Detention
Mathematics. Only five examples of the new supercar, LFA (pictured), will come to Australia next year - with a price tag of about $750,000.

C+ overall grade
Impressive quality and design but must continue rising to the challenge of Europeans.

Peugeot
D subject: sales
Some buyers are playing truant (sales down 5.9 per cent), though it outshines compatriot Renault (down 31.7 per cent).

C- subject: product
The 308 a partial return to form for Peugeot, though most models have cost the company its reputation for plush ride quality. Recently unveiled 508 signals clear intent to improve design language.

Gold star
Design. RCZ coupe. Not here yet but TT clone promises to rediscover brand's mojo.

Detention
History. The 4007 appears to have cribbed its exam notes from Mitsubishi. French soft-roader isn't really French; it's a re-nosed Japanese Mitsubishi Outlander.

D+ overall grade
Ca laisse a desirer (there's room for improvement).

Chrysler Group (Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge)

A & F subject sales
A distinction for Jeep (up 51 per cent) but fails for both Chrysler (down 47 per cent) and Dodge (down 51 per cent) make them the dunces of the class.

D subject: product
A number of Chrysler Group models have handed in sick notes and disappeared from local market. Company needs Fiat takeover to work to rejuvenate its offerings.

Gold star
History. Jeep Wrangler keeps selling.

Detention
Design and technology. Sub-par interiors. Do US brands really benchmark their vehicles against those from Japan and Europe?

C- & E overall grade
Jeep making the grade but Chrysler and Dodge in danger of being expelled.

Jaguar/Land Rover

B+ subject: sales
Rejected by American parent (Ford) but revelling under Indian adoption (Tata Motors). Locally, Jaguar up 22 per cent, Land Rover 35 per cent.

A- subject: product
Little quantity for Jaguar (just three cars) but plenty of quality. Key Land Rover and Range Rover products recently had significant engine and interior upgrades. All eyes now on baby Rangie (Evoque, pictured) due next year.

Gold star
Engineering. Jaguar continues to fare well in quality studies.

Detention
Engineering. Land Rover continues to fare poorly in quality studies.

B+ overall grade
If cashed-up parent (Tata) can keep the funds flowing, JLR has an exciting future ahead.

Volvo
C+ subject: sales
Had a blip in June (minus 25 per cent) but sales up 9 per cent for the year.

Still-fresh XC60 soft-roader has overtaken ageing XC90 as its best-seller.

C subject: product
Conservative pupil is becoming more outspoken, even claiming its forthcoming S60 sedan (pictured) is its most dynamic car yet. Needs replacements for S40 small car and XC90.

Gold star
Technology. The car brand most renowned for automotive safety continues to lead the way with new crash-avoidance technologies.

Detention
Physics. Needs to join Audi back in suspension school to improve ride/handling.

C overall grade
XC60 and S60 are promising signs of things to come from safety-conscious manufacturer.