by InvestorPlace Staff | January 17, 2012 9:50 am
Every year, the North American International Auto Show hands out a slew of awards honoring some of the best cars of the past year[1], but one of the biggest draws remains the new-model unveilings — and the subsequent lauding and smearing by the media.
Automotive News’ Mark Rechtin recently sounded off on the best and the worst of the Detroit show’s 2012 reveals[2]. Here’s just a few of his picks.
Ford’s (NYSE:F[3]) mid-size sedan — also the sixth best-selling car[4] of 2011 — earned the Eyes on Design award[5] at this show. Rechtin applauds the greenhouse and center console but warns about a narrow trunk opening.
The Honda (NYSE:HMC[6]) Accord dropped to ninth in sales last year, and the future isn’t looking better. Rechtin’s thoughts: “Take a current Accord, mash it with the Mitsubishi Galant, add over-blown fog-light cutouts.”
Toyota (NYSE:TM[7]) adds another hybrid to its ranks, and Rechtin favors its technological advances in telematics and glass.
Chrysler is hoping a revival of Dodge’s Dart brand will help the company’s own resurgence[8]. However, any review that invokes the Neon name in comparison doesn’t bode well.
Honda’s upscale brand, Acura, was “the star of the show” in Rechtin’s eyes. His commentary: “This two-seat hybrid sports car blew folks away. Journalists aren’t supposed to applaud, but there were whoops and hollers when the wraps came off.”
A full list of Rechtin’s hits and misses can be found at Automotive News.[9]
Source URL: https://investorplace.com/2012/01/best-and-worst-new-cars-of-detroit-2012/
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