This year, a range of Japanese brands are cleaning up and taking the top spots on the Consumer Reports and Auto Reliability Survey. Toyota’s three brands - Scion, Toyota, and Lexus - swept the top spots. When it comes to car reliability, no manufacturer can compare to Toyota. The Toyota Prius C earned Consumer Reports’ top overall score.

The Toyota brands were followed by Mazda, Subaru, Honda, and Acura - all Japanese brands. Of the 90 Japanese models reflected in the Consumer Reports Survey, 86 scored average or better, with 35 earning the highest rating.

Of European cars, Audi is by far taking the lead, moving up 18 spots from last year into eighth place. This makes Audi the most reliable European make and the top non-Japanese brand.

Wondering about domestic brands? While they aren’t topping the list this year, there are some U.S. brands that are standing out. Cadillac is currently the top U.S. brand, moving up 14 spots from last year. The CTS Coupe was rated the most reliable domestic car. Several other GM brands moved up in ranking as well, including Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC.

Next time you are in the market for a new vehicle, make sure you check out the latest Consumer Reports Auto Reliability Survey for a complete vehicle ranking.

GM Sees Increase in November Sales

All four GM brands; Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, and GMC, have seen an increase in sales year to date compared with the same period a year ago.  This month GM saw a 7% increase in their total sales, including a 15 percent increase in retail sales.  “We are seeing a broad spectrum of customers return to the market,” said Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. “Truck sales showed a very solid increase, as we expected, but the momentum building behind our most fuel-efficient vehicles was even stronger.” The Chevrolet Cruze was GM’s number one seller for November with an increase in sales of 64%.  The Chevrolet Silverado trucks saw a 34% increase.

November Retail Sales up 20 percent for Ford

This month’s increase in retail sales was Ford’s largest year-over-year increase in nine months.  Ford brand retail sales continue to be up across all categories of vehicles, cars, trucks, and SUVs.  Double-digit gains were posted by Fiesta, Fusion, Escape, Explorer, F-Series, Econoline and Ranger.  “With gasoline prices continuing to track higher than last year, consumers continue to value fuel economy,” said Ken Czubay, Ford Vice President, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service.  “Most Ford products deliver best-in-class fuel economy and provide customers an opportunity to choose what best works for them – EcoBoost technology or electrified vehicles.”

Toyota Has Increase for First Time in Seven Months

For the first time since the earthquake and tsunami in Japan Toyota sales were up in the month of November. Toyota Division passenger cars saw an increase of 14.7 percent over November 2010.  The Camry and Camry Hybrid were the best-selling sedans in the country with monthly sales of 23,400 units, an increase of 8.5% over last November. “Our sales performance this month is a testament to the strength of our new products,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
 

Nissan Reports Strong Sales for November

Nissan sales of November 2011 reached 85,182 units, an increase of 19.4 percent over November last year and a record for Nissan.  Nissan Division also set a new November record, increasing 21.5 percent for the month. The 2012 Nissan Versa set a new November record with 9,291 deliveries, an increase of 38.2 percent over the prior year.  The Rogue also had a record-setting November with a 27.2 percent increase over last year. “Strong gains across our lineup extended Nissan’s record-breaking October into our best-ever November,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan sales.  “We expect to finish 2011 on a high note with vehicles like Altima, Versa, Sentra and Rogue leading Nissan to a strong close in December and into an even better 2012.”

This month’s strong sales across the industry are best ever since the “cash for clunkers” incentives sales in August 2009. “Consumers are becoming more comfortable buying again,” said Jesse Toprak, analyst of TrueCar.com “If they have a car that needs to be replaced, they’re finally deciding it’s time to replace it.”

General Motors Co. celebrated the production of the 100 millionth small-block engine yesterday.  This engine has been the heart of many GM vehicles over the past 56 years.  It was first introduced by Chevrolet in 1955 and has been used in GM vehicles around the world; including GMC and Cadillac vehicles in the US and Vauxhall in the United Kingdom and Holden in Australia.

“The small block is the engine that brought high-performance to the people,” said David Cole, founder and emeritus chairman of Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor.  “There is an elegant simplicity in its design that made it instantly great when new and enables it to thrive almost six decades later.”

The 100 millionth engine is a 638-horsepower supercharged LS9 small block; the power behind the 205-mph Corvette ZR1.  The actual 100 millionth vehicle will be preserved by GM as part of its historical collection.