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Miami Herald
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Most improved car models of 2024
Most improved car models of 2024 It's a fact in any industry: Good products can go bad, and bad products either get better or go away. We're a sucker for a good underdog story as much as anyone, and the cars listed here are the biggest comebacks Edmunds has seen in the past five years of our ratings program. We're also looking at the cars that hold the top spots and how they maintain their dominance. Edmunds has been rating cars for nearly two decades, allowing us to track the evolution of cars and trucks through successive generations. We've documented the changes and refinements that see them rise in ratings and, in some cases, the stagnation and indifference that lead to their fall. We evaluate cars in more than a half-dozen categories, from performance to interior comfort and utility, before arriving at an average score out of 10 points. We typically put a car through our criteria after it's been significantly updated, or "redesigned" in industry terms. Sometimes we'll reevaluate a specific model if it's received new technology, more safety features or a new engine-basically any substantial changes that might change our opinion. So, which cars have shown the most improvement in our ratings tests? Let's dig in. Comeback kids The most dramatic example is the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. This quirky fastback-style variation on the regular GLE SUV took a hit in Edmunds' initial rating for its reduced rear seat headroom, small cargo space, and diminished outward visibility. But the second-generation model made an impressive comeback, vaulting from its earlier 6.5 rating in 2019 to 8.1 in 2021 (there was no rating in 2020). The new-gen GLE Coupe added newer tech features and slightly more cargo space, as well as improved handling and fuel economy, which helped boost its standing. Another notable resurgence: the Ford Ranger. The classic midsize pickup disappeared from the American market in 2011 but continued sales in other global markets. With the revival of the midsize pickup segment around 2015, Ford hustled to get its Ranger back to American shores. When the "new" Ranger arrived a few years later, it failed to impress. Ford couldn't hide the truck's aging chassis, wobbly ride, and lack of off-road capability, especially against fresher Chevrolet, Nissan and Toyota rivals. We gave the Ranger a below-average rating of 6.8, which it carried until the debut of an all-new model in 2024. Today's Ranger couldn't be more different than its predecessor. Gone are the wobbly ride and off-road deficiencies, replaced instead with taut suspension tuning, a strong engine with muscular towing capacity, and a trail-ready Raptor trim. The Ranger scored 8 points or higher (out of 10) in all of our rating categories, earning an overall 8.2 rating-a 20% improvement in one generation. That's a remarkable comeback by any measure, and Edmunds considers the Ranger a great choice for a midsize pickup. Other surprising second acts include the 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), which leapt from earlier ratings of 6.5 and 6.8 to a score of 8.0 in 2024, highlighting the resilience of a brand basically left for dead in the United States. The chart above illustrates the most improved cars in the past five years of our ratings program. The Toyota Tundra, Cadillac Escalade, and even Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid-one of the last minivans standing-are among those models that significantly improved. Holding the throne It's one thing to close the gap between a poor rating and a great one. It's another to hold that rating over successive years. Topping our list, each in its own distinct category, are the Chevrolet Corvette, Ford F-150 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The S-Class is always a contender for today's top luxury sedan, as Mercedes forever tinkers on the cutting-edge of comfort, infotainment, safety and self-driving technology. The S-Class' 8.5 rating is among our highest of any car and edges out its nearest competitor, the BMW 7 Series (8.2). The Ford F-150 isn't much of a surprise either. It's one of the top-selling vehicles in the U.S. annually (the entire Ford F-Series lineup typically takes the top spot each year) and routinely outperforms its top rivals, the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500, in our ratings. (The Ram doesn't go quietly, however; note that it currently ties the F-150 in overall rating at 8.1, even though the Ford holds the edge over a five-year period.) Though the current-generation Silverado hasn't impressed us much (rated at 7.5), another Chevy dominates our sports-car ratings. The Corvette, currently rated at 8.5, has topped our ratings since the current generation's debut in 2020. For power, handling, style, and sheer bang for the performance buck, nothing beats it. Edmunds says Edmunds tests, rates and updates our opinion of dozens of cars every year. And when you're shopping for a new or even a used car, it helps to know how a model has progressed over the past few years. A model with big leaps in improvement signals an automaker that takes the competition seriously, making the buyer the biggest winner. This story was produced by Edmunds and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
TimesLIVE
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Mercedes to add GLC SUV production at Alabama plant
Mercedes executives on Monday said the company will add production of its GLC SUV for North America at its plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Earlier this month, the German carmaker said it would bring a new vehicle to the Alabama plant in 2027 that would "deepen our commitment to the US". Foreign-made cars have been a main focus of President Donald Trump's global trade war. In early April, the Trump administration implemented 25% tariffs on vehicle imports. Mercedes' GLC is built at the Bremen, Germany, plant, which has 10 total models. A Mercedes spokesperson said on Monday "no significant changes to the average total production figures in Bremen are expected in the medium term. Bremen will produce the GLC for the rest of the world", and the Alabama plant "will localise GLC production for demand in North America". The move will expand production at the Alabama plant, the carmaker's hub for its SUVs, including the GLE, GLS, GLE Coupe and Maybach GLS. Mercedes executives on a Monday call with media did not say how much the carmaker will invest to build the GLC at the southern plant since it is in planning phases.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mercedes to add GLC SUV production at Alabama plant
By Kalea Hall DETROIT (Reuters) -Mercedes executives on Monday said the company will add production of its GLC SUV for North America at its plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Earlier this month, the German automaker said it would bring a new vehicle to the Alabama plant in 2027 that would "deepen our commitment to the U.S." Foreign-made autos have been a main focus of President Donald Trump's global trade war. In early April, the Trump administration implemented 25% tariffs on vehicle imports. Mercedes' GLC is built at the Bremen, Germany, plant, which has 10 total models. A Mercedes spokesperson said Monday that "no significant changes to the average total production figures in Bremen are expected in the medium term. Bremen will still produce the GLC for the rest of the world," and the Alabama plant "will localize GLC production for demand in North America." The move will expand production at the Alabama plant, the automaker's hub for its SUVs, including the GLE, GLS, GLE Coupe, and Maybach GLS. Mercedes executives on a Monday call with media did not say how much the automaker will invest to build the GLC at the southern plant since it is still in planning phases. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mercedes to add GLC SUV production at Alabama plant
By Kalea Hall DETROIT (Reuters) -Mercedes executives on Monday said the company will add production of its GLC SUV for North America at its plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Earlier this month, the German automaker said it would bring a new vehicle to the Alabama plant in 2027 that would "deepen our commitment to the U.S." Foreign-made autos have been a main focus of President Donald Trump's global trade war. In early April, the Trump administration implemented 25% tariffs on vehicle imports. Mercedes' GLC is built at the Bremen, Germany, plant, which has 10 total models. A Mercedes spokesperson said Monday that "no significant changes to the average total production figures in Bremen are expected in the medium term. Bremen will still produce the GLC for the rest of the world," and the Alabama plant "will localize GLC production for demand in North America." The move will expand production at the Alabama plant, the automaker's hub for its SUVs, including the GLE, GLS, GLE Coupe, and Maybach GLS. Mercedes executives on a Monday call with media did not say how much the automaker will invest to build the GLC at the southern plant since it is still in planning phases. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
National Post
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- National Post
Mercedes will make another model in U.S. to counter tariffs
(Bloomberg) — Mercedes-Benz Group AG plans to move production of another vehicle to the U.S. as President Donald Trump's tariffs raise costs and threaten to make imported cars uncompetitive. Article content Article content The German automaker said in a statement that it will shift assembly of a 'core segment vehicle' to its factory in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, by 2027. Though Mercedes didn't specify which model, its most popular import in that category is the GLC sport utility vehicle, which sold 64,163 units in the US last year. Article content The shift suggests that Trump's campaign to bring more manufacturing to the U.S. by imposing new tariffs is having some success, even as rapid-fire policy changes take a toll on financial markets, business planning and the economy. Overall US manufacturing activity shrank in April by the most in five months, according to the Institute for Supply Management's factory gauge. Article content Article content Trump earlier this week signed a pair of directives easing the impact of his tariffs on the automotive industry following weeks of lobbying. A basic 25 per cent levy remains in place, and the toll on the industry is growing. General Motors Co. on Thursday cited an exposure of as much as $5 billion, though that would've been far bigger without the latest relief measures. Article content Mercedes and Jeep owner Stellantis NV have withdrawn their financial forecasts for this year, citing the duties. Volkswagen AG has left its outlook largely unchanged but warned it isn't yet factoring in the impact of the levies. UK automaker Jaguar Land Rover paused shipments to the US following the introduction of the tariffs. Article content Article content Higher Costs Article content Article content As the duties upend supply chains and raise costs, some carmakers have said they'll pass those on to buyers. Article content Mercedes had said in April that it was considering moving some production due to added costs stemming from the duties. The company is also considering withdrawing its least expensive cars from the US because tariffs will make their sales economically unfeasible, Bloomberg reported last month. Article content The Tuscaloosa plant made around 260,000 vehicles in 2024, Mercedes said, including the GLE, GLS, GLE Coupe and Mercedes-Maybach GLS. Article content The site also makes some vehicles for export from the US, including the EQE SUV, EQS SUV and Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV for all global markets, the carmaker said. Article content Mercedes touted its US presence in the statement, saying it employs more than 11,000 people in the country and works with some 400 suppliers there. Article content Markets were closed in Frankfurt on Thursday for a holiday. Mercedes shares have fallen 2.5 per cent so far this year amid investor concern around the effect of tariffs. Article content
