There are some appealing-good vehicles on that list.
Maxx
Vibe
Chevy truck
Dodge ram
Escape Hybrid
Corolla(some)
Tacoma( some)
This is a decent showing.I would have to look long and hard to find a European made vehicle that I would pay my money for.
There are lots of Japanese, or Japanese USA made vehicles,or Japanese Canadian vehicles that could get my money.
One of my three is UAW vehicle-a Prizm- it was made with the "old Corolla" at that joint GM Toyota plant that now produces some Corollas,Vibes etc.All the vehicles from that plant have been winners.
The overwhelming advantage that the Japanese USA manufacturers have isn't their "get production methods-Japanese know how" or that they instill some sort of "Japanese work ethic" in lazy USA workers-that is all BS.Our workers are usually slightly more productive than Japanese workers.
THE HUGE ADVANTAGE IS THAT THE JAPANESE BUILT THEIR PLANTS IN LOW WAGE NON UNION STATES. They can produce vehicles for $1000 lower labor cost than GM-Ford etc.The greatest managers and workers in the world couldn't overcome that advantage. It is impossible for GM to catch up, and it really isn't anyones fault. No one would ever agree to a 50% cut in wages benefits to save future jobs-it just won't happen.If you have been living on the equivalent of $65000 wages benefits, would you accept $32000 to save a job 10 years down the road?NO!
It isn't the UAW fault, they are just doint their job-same for the workers.It is probably why the management stuck with hig profit SUVs for so long.It was the only class of vehicle they could sell at a good profit to offset their labor-benefits- costs.
The result is GM shutting down plants and going "offshore"while slowly whittling down wages-benefits. While this is going on the Japanese USA manu will slowly have to increase their labor costs.By the time the two meet, there will be very few traditional USA company auto plants in the USA.
It is mean bit of economic reality.This Global economy stuff is lower USA wages, while making goods cheaper. Unfortunately it is turning us into a two tiered country without a big middle class. A manufacturing job used to mean you were at the upper end of middle class-no longer.
Oh well,Charlie
PS I'm pretty sure GM has contract limitations that prevent it from a wholesale move to Mississippi,Al,Ky,La ,ARK.etc.