All 35 manufacturers rated and listed from good to bad. Or Skoda to Peugeot, if you prefer
Plus c'est la meme chose, plus ça change... Remember that one from French at school? The more things change, the more things stay the same. It seems somewhat apt.
Poring through the manufacturer results, we're getting a touch Gallic and despondent. As wondrous as it is that Skoda - for decades the butt of oh-so-easy jokes - has clinched top spot, we keep finding our eyes drawn to the bottom of the table, where the three French manufacturers glumly rest.
At least last year they had Fiat nestled amongst them for company. But thanks to its popular Panda, the Italian marque has risen four places up the table, leaving Citroen, Renault and Peugeot to bring up the rear, shrugging haplessly and continuing to disappoint buyers.
We want them to do well. We really do. Citroen especially are now producing interesting, different cars. Hopefully by the time the new Picasso and C6 reach surveyable age, the double-chevron will have started to rise back up the table.
'Citroen, Renault and Peugeot bring up the rear, shrugging haplessly and disappointing buyers...'
But unless the French manufacturers sort out their reliability and customer service issues - please, please, take a leaf out of Lexus' and Honda's book - it'll be a long stay at the wrong end of the table.
Unlike Skoda. It's a stunning achievement by the Czech manufacturer to break the Japanese monopoly at the top of the table - particularly to overhaul the domination of Lexus - and just reward for a decade of producing spot-on cars that press exactly the right buttons for its owners.
Other success stories include Alfa Romeo and Kia, both jumping six places from last year. Saab should be warily eyeing the slippery slope into the French mire, though - the Swedish manufacturer has fallen twelve places on last year's position.
But enough of this doom-mongering. For now, let us toast Skoda. Blahopřání! Nope, not a clue how to pronounce it.
Next page - the manufacturer list in full...
February 14, 2007
Honda's S2000 wins for the third year on the trot, but the big story belongs to Skoda and Fiat
February 14, 2007
Tough luck if you own a French car - Peugeot, Citroen and Renault all lurk in the bottom ten
February 14, 2007
Big scores for Lotus, Subaru and Mitsubishi, while Peugeot and Mercedes lurk at the bottom
February 14, 2007
Want you car to start in the morning? Buy Japanese. Otherwise - you guessed it - choose French
February 14, 2007
Good news for Jaguar as the XJ takes second place, otherwise it's Japan trouncing France again
February 14, 2007
Fiat's Panda does well and Skoda puts in a fine showing. Steer clear of SUVs and MPVs, though...
February 14, 2007
Can you spot the theme here? Japanese cars do well, European cars prop up the bottom of the table
February 14, 2007
All 35 manufacturers rated and listed from good to bad. Or Skoda to Peugeot, if you prefer
February 14, 2007
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