[Bubba]

I just found this on Consumer Reports website. I guess they made this list for people like MitUSA who think they need American cars (even if they aren't built in America).

The list below features the highest-rated, American-branded vehicles in their category that received a Consumer Reports recommendation.

* Fun to drive: Cadillac CTS-V
* Small sedan: Ford Focus ZX4 SES
* Family sedan: Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan
* Upscale sedan: Lincoln MKZ
* Luxury sedan: Cadillac DTS
* Small SUV: Pontiac Torrent
* Midsized SUV: Ford Freestyle
* Minivan: (None apply)
* Budget car: Ford Focus ZX3
* Green car: (None apply)

As we did last year when creating this list, we'll look at some trends. Most of these models are repeats, but there is some positive progress:

* For all of Ford's financial problems, the company offers some strong products. The Fusion/Milan/MKZ siblings are well-designed vehicles that have had impressive first-year reliability. That reliability record for these relatively new models is all the more impressive given Ford's past history of problem-plagued introductions, as with the Focus and Escape.

* Despite its age, the Focus remains a fun-to-drive car with an inviting balance of handling and ride comfort. Hopefully, the 2008 freshening improves on that.We are disappointed that the hatchback and wagon will be dropped from the line-up.

* Ford has been slow to implement electronic stability control (ESC) to its products. The efficiently-packaged Freestyle makes our list as our top-scoring, Recommended domestic midsized SUV, but it lacks ESC to quell its tail-wagging in an emergency maneuver. The MKZ is one of the few upscale cars still available without ESC. (Ford says standard ESC is coming for both vehicles.)

* The Pontiac Torrent is a mid-pack-scoring small SUV, but it was reliable in its first year, so it makes this list. The considerably better Ford Escape would have been listed here, but again, the lack of ESC holds it back. Since the Escape tipped up onto two wheels in NHTSA's dynamic stability test, CR can not recommend it. Most versions of the Escape get standard ESC for 2008.

* It's not really worth complaining about the CTS-V sedan being on the list for Fun to Drive. The car is a blast and has four doors to boot. But it's a shame that the Chevrolet Corvette isn't reliable enough to allow us to recommend it or the rocket-ship Z06 version. The DTS's strong first-year reliability lets us recommend it, claiming here the Luxury Sedan pick.

* Ford and GM are exiting the minivan market, leaving Chrysler as the only domestic contender. The reliability for the Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Caravan keeps us from recommending them. Hopefully the 2008 redesign will yield a more modern and competitive van.

And if you were curious, the Fusion/Milan/MKZ are built in Mexico, and the Torrent is built in Canada. Hence, it's not so easy determining what is (or isn't) an American car.