By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Toyota officials had a target for their all-new 2004 Toyota Sienna minivan. The bullseye was affixed squarely on the Honda Odyssey.

Since the new Odyssey arrived for the 1999 model year, it has been a sales success and it has been the darling of the automotive media. For example, Edmunds.com at the introduction of the Odyssey in 1999 glowingly stated, “This is the best-engineered, most well-planned minivan ever.”

Could there be higher praise?

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

The future of the automobile industry can be found at a Toyota store near you.
 
The industry may be reluctant to admit it, but the leading Japanese automaker has a running start on the field with its new second-generation hybrid car, the Prius.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Suzuki has ripped a page from the South Korean automotive playbook.

The Japanese company, with ties to General Motors, has introduced for 2004 a feature-laden mid-sized sedan with an inline 6-cylinder engine for under $20,000.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

Mitsubishi has been building sport utility vehicles since the early ‘80s, years before they became the rage of the free world, so it’s not surprising that its all-new car-based mid-sized Endeavor is such a pleasant vehicle to drive and so easy on the eyes.

The Endeavor gives Mitsubishi a four-model SUV lineup.
 

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

You’ve just signed a $10 million sports contract and now your thoughts turn to purchasing some prestigious transportation. You would be hard pressed to find a better blend of performance, handling, automotive technology and knock-em-dead styling than the Mercedes-Benz SL600 roadster.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman