Car brands: Who owns what?

The auto industry is very complicated these days, with constant change across all corners of the globe. The worldwide economic slowdown dictates widespread cost reductions, inspiring partnerships and changes in ownership. Further confusing the scene are past commitments between companies: For example, the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is based on a Mercedes-Benz platform–even though Chrysler and Mercedes are no longer joined at the hip.

To help clear up some of the confusion, here is a road map to navigate who owns what brands among the major companies that sell in the U.S. car market.

BMW owns: BMW, Mini, and Rolls Royce

Fiat owns: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat, Lancia, Maserati; Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep–20-percent stake

Ford Motor Company owns: Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo (for now), and still owns 13.4 percent of Mazda

General Motors owns: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC. Also owns a controlling interest in Daewoo, as well as Opel and Vauxhall in Europe and Holden in Australia. (Pontiac to be discontinued)

Honda owns: Honda, Acura

Hyundai owns: Hyundai, Kia

Tata Motors (India) owns: Jaguar and Land Rover

Mazda (partially owned by Ford)

Mitsubishi

Daimler AG owns: Mercedes-Benz and Smart

Nissan owns: Nissan and Infiniti (Nissan is owned by Renault--France)

Porsche owns: Porsche and a majority share in Volkswagen

Subaru (A controlling interest of Subaru is owned by Toyota)

Suzuki

Toyota Motor Company owns: Lexus, Toyota, Scion, Daihatsu and Hino Motors, with a stake in Fuji Industries (Subaru’s parent company) and Isuzu

Volkswagen owns: Audi, Volkswagen, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and overseas SEAT and Skoda.

In formal negotiations to be sold:
Hummer: Tengzhong (China)
Saturn: Penske Automotive Group
Saab: Koenigsegg (Sweden)

--Liza Barth

From the logbook: Mercury Mariner Hybrid

Even amid the bad news from Detroit, Ford seems to be on a roll. Its Fusion line is garnering much praise these days, the company has avoided any talk of bankruptcy, and its products have done very well in CR’s reliability surveys.

We’ve recently written about the possibility of the price of fuel rising, which might prompt some new-car buyers to seek out more fuel-efficient transportation.

Our Mercury Mariner Hybrid (twin to the Ford Escape Hybrid) gets the best fuel economy of any SUV we’ve tested (26 mpg overall). It also has lots of interior room, easy access, and good visibility. But our fully loaded Mariner  cost us $36,000; it was the only configuration we could find in dealers late last year. It included a moon roof, as well as a navigation system (part of the Premium Package that also gets you heated leather seats, premium sound, etc.). Bypass the Premium option, saving you $3,595, and you can get into one for a more reasonable $33,000.

What’s it like to live with day-to-day, bearing in mind that we are critics? And is the high price worth all its “greenness?” Take a peak at comments from our tester’s logbook:

“Adequate power – can go up to 40 mph on electric power alone on a flat road.”
 
“Engine is loud when accelerating hard but much more civilized than before.”
 
“Ride is rough.”
 
“Navigation system has nice features and the voice-recognition works well.”
 
“Touch screen’s letters and numbers are too small to enter addresses and select options.”
 
“Flat [front] seat isn’t very comfortable…manual recline and telescope steering wheel is absurd at $36,000.”
 
“Rear passengers complained that the seats were uncomfortable after a few hours.”
 
“Cheap interior.”
 
“Rear hatch takes more than one slam to close.”
 
“Clever drivetrain looking for a more modern vehicle.”

So while some question the Hybrid’s value, all agree that the technology is successful. We look forward to measuring the fuel economy of our next Ford hybrid – the Fusion, which many of us like much better.

Read our full Mercury Mariner Hybrid road test, ratings, and other information on the model overview, available to online subscribers.

—Mike Quincy

Ford and GM offer job-loss incentives to help boost sales

In an effort to stimulate car sales and boost consumer confidence, Ford and GM have announced their job-loss customer protection plans. Both incentives, similar to the Hyundai Assurance and AutoNation programs, are an effort to help consumers worried about job stability and making monthly car payments.

Ford’s program, called the Ford Advantage Plan, will cover payments of up to $700 a month for 12 months on any new Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury if customers lose their jobs. In addition, Ford announced zero-percent financing on select vehicles in their lineup. The program will run until June 1st.

General Motor’s program, called GM Total Confidence, will cover payments of up to $500 a month for nine months if you lose your job for economic reasons. In addition, during the first two years of ownership, GM will help protect the retail value of the vehicle at trade-in time if the outstanding principal loan is more than the NADA Clean Retail Value. All vehicles will be backed by a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty with roadside assistance and alternate transportation should your vehicle break down. The GM program is available on vehicles purchased from April 1st through April 30th.

The Hyundai program has produced a bump in sales; GM and Ford are hoping it will work for them, as well.

—Liza Barth

Pricing: 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan

Starting at just under $20,000 ($19,995 including $725 destination and delivery charge), the Fusion S base model will be powered by a new 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine with an EPA-rated highway fuel economy of 34 mpg. The SE trim level will start at $20,545 and the SEL at $23,975. An optional 3.0-liter V6 engine is also available on SE and SEL models. In addition, the performance version Sport starts at $25,825 with the AWD version at $27,675.

The Mercury Milan is priced at $21,180 (including destination and delivery) for the FWD model with the four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The top of the line Milan Premier AWD model will be priced $27,800 with the 3.0-liter V-6 engine.

The Fusion Hybrid will start at $27,995 and the Milan Hybrid at $31,300. Both are EPA rated at 41 mpg city, 36 highway, besting government figures for the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg city, and 2 mpg highway.

Customers who purchase a Fusion or Milan Hybrid may qualify for the highest available federal tax credit of $3,400 if they purchase by March 31, 2009. Partial credits will be available after that until the end of March 2010.

The current Fusion and Milan both have done well in our tests with a controlled and satisfying ride and sporty feel. We have not tested the 2010s yet.

For more information about the new Fusion and Milan hybrids, see our preview coverage.

--Liza Barth

Ford hybrid tax credits are going fast

Ford will soon launch the revitalized Fusion and Mercury Milan lines, continuing the pattern of ongoing improvements to these well-rated sedans. Highlighting the 2010 models is the addition of hybrid variants. Ford is touting a 41 mpg city, 36 mpg highway fuel economy rating for the Fusion hybrid—notably more efficient than the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry hybrids based on EPA numbers. (Photo is from the 2008 LA Auto Show.)

These Ford Motor Company hybrids, along with the Escape and Mariner hybrid SUVs, are eligible for full tax credits if purchased or ordered before March 31st. After that time, the credits are reduced by 50 percent due to Ford crossing the 60,000-vehicle threshold that begins a scale-down process for tax credits. (See what vehicles are eligible and their credit amounts.)

Like all appealing incentives, there is a catch. Ford says the 2010 hybrids go on sale in the spring, though will not release a date. Spring begins March 20, less than two weeks before the tax credit is reduced.

A Ford representative explained that customers could order a vehicle prior to March 31st, to be delivered later, and still receive the credit. However, it may prove difficult, or even impossible, to secure a test drive prior.

In April, there will still be a significant credit available--$1,700. Ultimately, no matter which vehicle you are drawn to, if a tax credit is a significant factor, be sure to check with your accountant to ensure you can receive it based on your tax scenario. And remember, tax credits do not apply on a lease. (See “Hybrid cars and the vanishing tax credit.”)

Ford Hybrid tax credits

	1/1 - 3/31/09	4/1 - 9/30/09	10/1 - 3/31/10
2010 Fusion Hybrid	$3,400	$1,700	$850
2010 Milan Hybrid	3,400	1,700	850
2009 Escape Hybrid FWD	3,000	1,500	750
2009 Escape Hybrid 4WD	1,950	975	487.50
2009 Mariner Hybrid FWD	3,000	1,500	750
2009 Mariner Hybrid 4WD	1,950	975	487.50

Learn more about the updated 2010 Fusion and read our 2009 Mercury Mariner First Drive.

—Jeff Bartlett

Just In: Mercury Mariner Hybrid

It’s a frequently asked question: “Why isn’t the Ford Escape Hybrid in your ratings?” With the recent fluctuations in fuel costs, some have wondered why we don’t list this efficient American hybrid SUV.

Here’s the reason: We had tested the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. But when Ford updated the Escape for 2008, they didn’t make all of the upcoming changes to the car at once. For 2008, the Escape had a less-than-extreme interior and exterior makeover and non-hybrid Escapes finally got standard stability control. Problem was, the Hybrid wasn’t so blessed for 2008. That omission was addressed for 2009, along with the addition of a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for both the Hybrid and non-hybrid. Since we buy all the cars we test, we prefer to get more “shelf life” out of them, ensuring they have long-term value to our readers. So we didn’t test an Escape Hybrid when we evaluated the 2008 Escape V6. (Watch the Ford Escape road test video.) Instead, we waited for a 2009 Hybrid to assess the substantial changes for the new model year.

As it turns out, even the last Escape we tested didn’t last long: the V6 got several upgrades for 2009, including more power and claimed better braking -- a sore spot in our tests. So now we own two more Escapes: a 2009 four-cylinder and a V6.

As for the Hybrid, it seems they’re a hot commodity, with long waiting lists and next to none available sitting on dealer lots. So we put our name on a list and waited. And waited. We waited until we found a 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid sitting on a local lot. Since the Mariner and Escape only differ cosmetically, we grabbed it.

All of the Mariners we could find were pretty much loaded; we couldn’t escape (no pun intended) buying one without a navigation system. Along with leather and sunroof, these options pushed the price from an already high $32,225 to a lofty $36,615.

We’ll see if the Mariner meets or beats the 26 mpg overall that we got with the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid we last tested. Expect a First Drive report online soon.

--Tom Mutchler

Photo by Mike Leung

Best new car deals

Looking for a new car? Many dealers are looking to clear their lots to make way for the 2009 models, enabling car buyers to negotiate a favorable price during model-year-end clearance sales. We’ve listed vehicles with attractive incentives that meet Consumer Reports’ stringent criteria for being Recommended. Five top deals in different model categories are highlighted below, and on the Best New Car Deals main page with vehicle profiles. Most deals featured are good through September 30th and we will update the list as new deals become available.

                                                                                                                                               

Model	MSRP	Invoice Price	Rebates	Potential         negotiating        room
2009 Ford Mustang V6 Premium Coupe	$22,085	$20,357	$1,500	10%+
2008 Acura TL 3.2	$33,725	$30,991	$3,500	5%+
2008 Ford Fusion         2008 Mercury Milan	$22,900         $19,095	$21,050         $17,661	$1,500         $1,500	10%+         15%+
2008 Kia Optima EX	$19,895	$18,510	$2,000	15%+
2008 Mitsubishi Outlander LS 4-cyl CVT         2008 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS V6	$23,970         $25,210	$22,502         $23,671	$1,500         $1,500	10%+         10%+

In our Best new car deals section, we maintain a list of CR-recommended vehicles that offer significant savings. The current list includes 2009 and 2008 models ranging from the BMW 7 Series to the Saturn Outlook. Detailed information is available on both Recommended and otherwise in the Consumer Reports Auto Price Reports.

—Desiree Calamari

Small SUV crash tests - New Top Safety Picks

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has named six small SUVs Top Safety Picks: the Volkswagen Tiguan, Mitsubishi Outlander, Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner, and Nissan Rogue.

To qualify for this accolade, the six got the Institute's top rating of Good in offset frontal and side crash tests, plus an evaluation of rear crash protection. They also all offer electronic stability control as standard equipment. The Mercury Mariner and the Mazda Tribute are twins to the Ford Escape; the test results also apply to the hybrid versions of these models.

The Honda CR-V, Honda Element, and Subaru Forester are also Top Picks in this class based on earlier tests.

IIHS rates cars in an offset frontal crash that is more severe than U.S. government crash test standards and more closely mimics real-world accidents. Side crash tests are conducted to simulate a vehicle being hit in the side by a tall, heavy SUV. Vehicles are rated on a scale of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, and Poor. (Learn more in "Crash Test 101.")

Other small SUVs, including the Suzuki Grand Vitara, Jeep Patriot, Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent, Jeep Patriot, and Jeep Wrangler received lower grades in one of the crash measures. The Wrangler offered Poor protection in a side crash when tested without its optional side air bags.

If you're in the market for a small SUV, we recommend you look for one that has Good crash scores from both the IIHS and the government, as well as one that performed well in our testing and has good predicted reliability.

Of the IIHS Top Picks, we recommend the Honda CR-V and Element, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Subaru Forester. The Forester is our Top Rated small SUV.

Read our recent Small SUV and Sporty SUV tests covering many of the models featured here, including the Tiguan featured in the embedded CR road test video. Crash test videos based on the latest tests will be posted next week.

View more than 250 crash test videos.

—Eric Evarts

Toyota passes Ford for second spot in U.S. sales

Toyota Motor Corporation has broken Ford’s 75-year history to become the #2 auto sales leader in the United States for 2007, according to the Associated Press. This is the 12th consecutive year of record-breaking sales for Toyota.

According to 2007 manufacturer-supplied figures, General Motors retains the top position selling 3.87 million vehicles, down 6 percent from the previous year. Toyota sales were 2.62 million, up 2.7 percent over 2006. Ford sold 2.57 million vehicles, down 12 percent.

Toyota’s rise to the second seed in the United States was helped by a surge in sales of a number of popular models. The Prius hybrid, despite the fact that its design isn’t new (it was last redone in 2004), saw an increase of almost 69 percent amid rising fuel costs and increasing environmental awareness. The all-new Toyota Tundra boasted a 57 percent increase and, in our tests, ranked second only to the Chevrolet Avalanche. It’s clearly a strong competitor. The redesigned Lexus LS460/600h luxury sedans had an 80 percent boost in sales.

Even though Ford posted an overall decline in sales from last year, a few vehicles, such as the Ford Focus, Ford Fusion, and Mercury Milan, enjoyed an increase in sales over last year. The Ford F-150 was still the best-selling truck in America for the 31st year in a row.

Worldwide sales figures are due to come out later this month and the race is tight between GM and Toyota to win the coveted title of world’s largest automaker.

—Liza Barth

200,000-Mile Club continues to accelerate

Interest in our October 2007 cover story, “Make your car last 200,000 miles,” has caused high-mileage drivers to log on and share their experiences, advice, and even photos.

The owners’ tales are quite inspiring, with drivers like Martin Sorin claiming that they still have many miles left in their car. As you’ll read below, Martin’s Camry has been to 200,000 miles--twice.

Do you have a story or advice to share? Join the unofficial club! Share your experience in the 200,000-Mile Club forum, and if you’d like to show off your well-traveled ride, you can post a photo at the 200,000-Mile Club photo gallery. Please be sure to include the year, make, model, and mileage when you submit your image.

In the meantime, below are some of our favorite posts.

--Jim Travers

We purchased a 1993 Mercury Villager in July 1993 new. We still drive the car daily and it now has 374,900 miles on the odometer. Original engine with only minor engine work… I think the reason we have had such good luck with this car is by keeping it maintained regularly and not doing much short trip or city driving. We live in a rural area and most trips are at least 20 miles or more.

--David Richards

I think one significant factor in longevity is service and an honest and reliable shop. I could not own a 1990 Volvo 740 GL wagon with 245,000 miles on it in this medium-sized city in Canada without my service technician who owns a shop that specializes in Volvos and VWs.

--Ted Whipp

I have owned this truck since new and have meticulous maintenance records. There have been no internal engine or transmission problems. Take care of all the regular maintenance and you will be rewarded. I have set my new goal at 400,000 miles and fully expect to make it in spite of Michigan roads and weather.

--Jerry Hooker, 1993 Chevrolet S-10, 300,000 miles

I change my oil every 10,000 miles and I change my transmission fluid every 30,000 to 35,000 miles. Another tip is to order or purchase a vehicle with an engine oil cooler and a transmission oil cooler if possible. I have heard and believe that most engine and transmission problems are the result of heat.

--Michael Freeman, 1995 GMC K1500 pickup, 429,781 miles

My 1994 Toyota Camry V-6 wagon currently has 416,200 miles on it and is still running strong. I hope to reach 500,000 miles with it. I agree with your article about fixing things as soon as they need it, buying a reliable car, and doing scheduled maintenance when the owner's manual says to do it.

--Martin Sorin