[Layla's Keeper]

Well, RWD sedans and station wagons are coming back in a big way. Chrysler 300C sales are through the roof and Magnum sales are healthy and strong (proof positive that product sells itself). As big daddy Daimler cuts ties to the weak sauce Mitsubishi company, you'll see the phasing out of the FF driveline at Chryco. There will undoubtedly be a Stratus followup, though, and it will undoubtedly share Neon mechanicals to keep costs down. The Chrysler version, the Sebring, may be phased out though. Also, Pacifica sales are on the upswing, so watch out for more of them. PT Cruiser, though, may not see a 2nd generation.

Toyota is a sinking ship, as far as their car line is concerned. The MR2 Spyder and the Celica have been axed for next year and Toyota is claiming that the lukewarm sales of the Matrix and the Corolla S will continue its performance image. The Solara coupe is quick becoming a rental fleet darling and not much else, while Camry sales are eroded by the more attractive (in both price and performance) Nissan Maxima/Altima and Mazda 6. Scion is doing well, and Lexus is maintaining a solid place in the luxury car market even with lagging GS and LS sales.

GM has hit the ground running thanks to Bob Lutz's vision and decision to stop cutting costs by using dullard styling, flabby chassis, and sloppily assembled interiors. New cars like the GTO, Cobalt, Solstice, Equinox, CTS, and Malibu Maxx all have drawn fair praise for being on par if not exceeding their import counterparts and still doing it at a bargain pricepoint. Even the Aveo has become a press darling thanks to it being a more refined alternative to buzzy Korean budget cars.

Ford needs a Taurus replacement. The once mighty Taurus, top in midsize sedan sales, has fallen to around 7th or 8th in sales and shows its age poorly. Ford has been tightlipped about the replacement, but as far as the public is concerned the Taurus is a non-issue.
In fact, beyond the excitement over the brand new Mustang, the Ford line-up is slim-pickings. The Focus has become more roomy and less the economy minded compact it was, and the now ancient Crown Vic is all but a dust collector in sales lots. New Ford SUV's like the Escape, and new minivans like the Freestar just haven't been denting other manufacturers' sales.

That's at least the view on the top 4.