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Rex Roy
Hagerty Insurance is among the world's leaders in providing coverage for classic cars, so their customer base skews toward the enthusiast side of the vehicle owning public. In an effort to divine potential classic cars of the future, Hagerty asked customers a simple question: “What American Car Could You Not Live Without?”
The context of the question included the current economic difficulties, the bankruptcies of General Motors and Chrysler, the demise of Pontiac, and the potential sale of HUMMER and Saturn (the poll was taken prior to the news of a Chinese company purchasing HUMMER and Roger Penske's organization taking over Saturn).
“Now more than ever, American car manufacturers are the center focus of this economic decline,” says McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance. “As car enthusiasts, many of us would hate to see these cars become extinct. We appreciate the place in American society that a great car can occupy and the value of that car to future motorists down the road. It would be sad to see them go.”
Nearly 1,000 customers responded, making the sample statistically accurate for this group. Below is Hagerty’s list of the “Top 10 Cars Americans Can’t Live Without”:
- Chevrolet Corvette
- Ford Mustang
- Dodge Challenger
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Ford F-150
- Cadillac CTS
- Saturn Sky
- Hummer
- Dodge Ram
- Chrysler 300
It was great to see the Chevrolet Corvette at the top of the list. Not only is the modern 2009 Chevrolet Corvette a performance heavyweight, but the car is an American icon.
Pony cars fill the next three spots. Curiously the Dodge Challenger beat out the Chevrolet Camaro for the number three spot.
Obviously, Americans like their trucks. With good reason; take a look at our reviews for the 2009 Ford F-150 and the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. These are great trucks. My unwavering opinion is that this current generation of trucks will be the best full-size light duty trucks ever made. Period. The new CAFE regulations will forever change the appeal of full-size trucks, so it is my inclination to believe that manufacturers will never invest so much development in future trucks because the future sales volume won't allow for a solid return on that investment as it did in the past.
The inclusion of the Saturn Sky, Chrysler 300, and (presumably) all HUMMER models took me by surprise. These vehicles are all capable, but making the Top 10 list of "Vehicles I Couldn't Live Without." Hmmmmm, these wouldn't be on my list.
As for what I'd pick, click on over to a blog entry I posted last month: Instant Classics. There is certainly overlap between my list and the poll results from Hagerty clients even though the premise of my story and the poll were different.
What would be on your list of Cars You Can't Live Without? Post your Top 10 list below.
2009 Chevrolet CorvetteEnlarge Photo Hagerty Insurance is among the world's leaders in providing coverage for classic cars, so their customer base skews toward the enthusiast side of the vehicle owning public. In an effort to divine potential classic cars of the future, Hagerty asked customers a simple question: “What American Car Could You Not Live Without?” The context of the question included the current economic difficulties, the bankruptcies of General Motors and Chrysler, the demise of Pontiac, and the potential sale of HUMMER and Saturn (the poll was taken prior to the news of a Chinese company purchasing HUMMER and Roger Penske's organization taking over Saturn). “Now more than ever, American car manufacturers are the center focus of this economic decline,” says McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance. “As car enthusiasts, many of us would hate to see these cars become extinct. We appreciate the place in American society that a great car can occupy and the value of that car to future motorists down the road. It would be sad to see them go.” Nearly 1,000 customers responded, making the sample statistically accurate for this group. Below is Hagerty’s list of the “Top 10 Cars Americans Can’t Live Without”: Chevrolet Corvette Ford Mustang Dodge Challenger Chevrolet Camaro Ford F-150 Cadillac CTS Saturn Sky Hummer Dodge Ram Chrysler 300 It was great to see the Chevrolet Corvette at the top of the list. Not only is the modern 2009 Chevrolet Corvette a performance heavyweight, but the car is an American icon. Pony cars fill the next three spots. Curiously the Dodge Challenger beat out the Chevrolet Camaro for the number three spot. Obviously, Americans like their trucks. With good reason; take a look at our reviews for the 2009 Ford F-150 and the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. These are great trucks. My unwavering opinion is that this current generation of trucks will be the best full-size light duty trucks ever made. Period. The new CAFE regulations will forever change the appeal of full-size trucks, so it is my inclination to believe that manufacturers will never invest so much development in future trucks because the future sales volume won't allow for a solid return on that investment as it did in the past. The inclusion of the Saturn Sky, Chrysler 300, and (presumably) all HUMMER models took me by surprise. These vehicles are all capable, but making the Top 10 list of "Vehicles I Couldn't Live Without." Hmmmmm, these wouldn't be on my list. As for what I'd pick, click on over to a blog entry I posted last month: Instant Classics. There is certainly overlap between my list and the poll results from Hagerty clients even though the premise of my story and the poll were different. What would be on your list of Cars You Can't Live Without? Post your Top 10 list below.
Responses (6 total)
By Dale #1, Posted: 6/15/2009
I think that you should all remember the GOAT and it's history.Pontiac cars now days not only look the part but most are all ready hitting the 30+ mpg the government wants..The union and government has a big hand in this.
By Tracy Lee #2, Posted: 6/16/2009
Do not change the name of General Motors! Change the EPA choke hold and the failed energy policies that allowed gasoline prices to kill the U.S. auto market in the last two years. Change the practice of copying Japanese designs and go retro like Ford did with the Mustangs!
By R2Dad #3, Posted: 6/17/2009
It may sound odd, but every person I've talked to loves their Ford Escape (stupid name and all). I don't believe retro designs, per se, will result in better cars, but clearly the Germans and Japanese value their models and brands more than the Americans. BMW succeeds because it's believes the 3 series format is a winner and invests in it. Ford thinks the Taurus is just a name (even though it represented like 10 years of production and millions of units), and dumps it for the "500". (Proof their marketing whizzes are dolts came when Ford flip-flopped back to Taurus, but the damage was done). R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
By Orion #4, Posted: 7/10/2009
If you really want GM to sell then stop makeing europeian looking cars and make American looking cars and stop makeing everything to opease the tree huggers. This is why ford didn't ask for government money and doing away with Pontiac is the dumbest thing you can do. All Pontiac needs isna redisign and stop priceinv yourself out of the market. Why would I buy A camaro for 36 grand or better when I can buy a Mustang GT with a premium package for under 30 grand? I'm sorry but GM is going in the wrong direction and is destined to fail at this pace. If GM really wanted to climb back on top they would Listen to the common man and not some Mickey mouse president that knows nothing about the car business or even the people he represents. Yes I know how to build a car in case you are asking. I know classics and newer models
By Orion #5, Posted: 7/10/2009
Sorry for the misspelling. I was on a new iPhone and typing is a pain at this point.
By chevy truck parts #6, Posted: 7/23/2009
Good question.Maybe they hired a pretty good psychologist to come up with that. But kidding aside, chevrolet is just one car make that never fails to bring its consumers thousand reasons why they should stick with it.
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