Detroit’s big three graced us with some great passenger cars in the last decade. After generations of badge-engineering and bargain-basement build quality, it appeared some sense had been knocked into their heads, maybe due to the global financial crisis or the government bailout to prevent the American automotive industry’s collapse. I guess either one could have been a factor.
Sadly the buying public did not appreciate all the ground they had made up. Decades of abysmal brand reputation and hordes of recalls made it difficult for consumers to see how many great cars Detroit had to offer. Today, emissions regulations are pushing the industry to an electric future and utility vehicles are dominating the market. Sedans, coupes and wagons are becoming a thing of the past, which is a shame since we finally had some great ones to choose from – just a little too late.