Anyone in the auto industry is already looking back on 2009 as a black, dismal year in the vehicular world. Yet, at the same time we are all looking as far ahead as we can into 2010, and at all this year could (and will) hold for a select few car manufacturers. Last year’s slump is still affecting a few companies out there (we don’t need to mention any names here), while others are forging ahead and fighting the good fight. The Big Three might be dead, but the Big Six are on the rise, and we’re here to tell you why and how with these top 6 manufacturers to watch in 2010.
Mitsubishi continues to impress the world with vehicles that are both stylish and practical. Its involvement in the WRC and its latest gem, the i-MiEV, keep Mitsu alive on the road and in the media. Most notably though is its electric creation, the i-MiEV. Shown just this week at the Montreal International Auto Show, Mitsubishi also announced its collaboration with Quebec’s Hydro company to produce 50 i-MiEVs to test on Quebec roads over the next year. More competition for the Volt? We think so.
While some might disagree with VW’s philosophy and maybe just not like its cars, V-Dub really does understand the general market and knows what the people want (pun intended). Most importantly, it is focused on the small-car market (which is set to boom in 2010) with its latest Golf, GTI and newest Golf R Concept (which we hope will be reminiscent of the Golf R32, fingers crossed) revealed at the Montreal International Auto Show. Along with its TDI versions that offer much better fuel efficiency, there’s a reason VW is part of the Big Six in 2010.
Though BMW is one of the manufacturers we always have our eyes on, 2010 is proving (already) to be a great year for the Bavarian giant. With the introduction of its family-friendly and stylish 5 Series GT and a few Active Hybrid and Advanced Diesel models (playing into the green-ness of the automotive world), BMW continues to produce cars that are both technologically advanced (night vision and a brand new iDrive) and stunning to look at (M3 coupe and 135i). But, don’t forget MINI; on the table for the near future is an AWD crossover version that will finally put MINI in the xDrive ranks. It’s about time.
Innovation is part of Honda’s makeup, through and through. From the beginning Honda has always been at the forefront of vehicular designs and engineering, and it will continue to do just that well into 2010. While the Honda Crosstour and Acura ZDX were both visually attractive and stirred up the crowd at the Montreal International Auto Show, in the end it was the P-NUT that really caught everyone’s attention. And, really, with a name like that and a look that’s straight out of The Jetsons, how could it not? But, it's innovations like that that make Honda/Acura a major player in the Big Six and will keep the company afloat in 2010 -- and beyond.
Despite the hardships of 2009, Nissan and Infiniti still managed to pull the Cube out of their bag of tricks as well as the luxuriously designed and gorgeous Infiniti Essence concept, which we got to see up close and in person at the Montreal International Auto Show. Along with the drool-worthy Essence, Infiniti also announced its brand new M and even donated a G37S to be hand-painted by Canadian and Montreal-based artist Heidi Taillefer in a Cirque du Soleil-inspired design that’s just breathtaking to behold. On the wings of all things green and electrical, Nissan also announced in 2009 (amid all the vehicular rubble in the recession) that it was working on the Nissan LEAF to compete with the likes of the Chevy Volt and Mitsu i-MiEV.
Now, this might seem like an odd choice to some, but Mazda performs so consistently in its designs, engineering and sales that it’s hard to look past its greatness in the automotive world. Granted, it isn't the most luxurious company out there, but its cars are great to drive, aesthetically pleasing to look at, and are practical and functional. Really, what more could you ask for? And as head of the Big Six to watch in 2010, it’s only fitting that Mazda play into the future of small cars in North America with the unveiling of its brand new hatch: the sporty Mazda2 -- a car it calls “vroom vroom in a can.” Well, we can’t wait to crack that can open, and we’ll definitely be keeping an eye on this Big Six front-runner in 2010.
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