By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

“Is that another new Hummer?” a woman asked coming out of a restaurant as we opened the door to the 2006 Jeep Commander.

The newest Jeep is well named. It commands attention. It looks a lot like a Jeep Cherokee — discontinued after the 2001 model year — on steroids. And yes, it has a passing resemblance to the big over-the-top Hummer H2 from General Motors.

The blocky Commander won’t win any automotive beauty prizes. But then the Cherokee was not a styling champion either.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The luxury division of Nissan began life in 1989 as a viable competitor to the burgeoning Lexus and Acura brands, even if somewhat blinded by an avalanche marketing program that was more about rocks and trees than the brand. It took some time to overcome, but eventually the brand took shape and initially it was a winner.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Hyundai has come a long way since 1986 when it introduced the Excel to American buyers. It was the South Korean automaker’s first effort in the U.S. and it was a low-quality disaster despite its low price.

Over the last decade Hyundai has all but shed its low-quality image pointed up by a phenomenal turnaround that will send it’s U.S. sales to nearly a half million units this year.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Someone once said simplicity is the key to happiness.

It probably wasn’t the same guy who coined the phrase, “keep it simple, stupid” or the person who wisely intoned “less is more.”

But the individuals responsible for those expressions would all probably praise the Hyundai Accent for its simple and easy-to-use switchgear.

By Jim Meachen

SAVANNAH, Georgia. — Hyundai is allocating more than 20 percent of its 2006 advertising budget to the oddly named Azera. A Hyundai spokesman said they needed a catchy name, one that is not easily forgotten. So we guess Azera it is. Catchy!

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

When we drove the original Hummer a few years ago we got stares at every stoplight. We were questioned in parking lots. We even were followed into a driveway where we had pulled in to visit a relative.

That vehicle, similar to the one that patrols the streets of Baghdad, is now called H1 in the new General Motors/AM General parlance.

AM General still builds the original — with a price tag well into six figures — as well as the military version.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Those of us who write about the auto industry often get asked what we consider the best sports car, or truck, or sport utility or whatever. People want us to come up with just one make. But there seldom is one suitable answer. There are just too many things to consider.

Today, however, we are prepared to answer a similar question with only one qualification. The question is: what one car line is most capable of serving all the transportation needs of a typical family?

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Last year Honda officials became alarmed with declining sales of the Accord. It was particularly upsetting because the Accord has for years been one of the top-selling cars in the U.S.

And for years the Accord sedan and coupe have been acknowledged by J.D.
Power and Associates and by Consumer Reports magazine as one of the best mid-sized brands sold in America.