Recent sales reports sure sound like a repeat of the sales news of the last few years to me: domestic sales flat or down, imports up, and maybe that’s because of the kinds of cars that are being built. Just guessing, but when Japanese automakers sweep the Consumer Reports list of top picks for 2006…when ONE Japanese automaker wins the North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards, practically sweeps the Consumer Reports Awards, the Motor Trend Awards, and, while they’re at it, the Autobytel Editors Choice Awards… hmmmm…there’s a trend going on here. In this instance, Honda’s the automaker who won all of those awards. They garnered the CR top small sedan for its new Civic and top truck for the Ridgeline. Other top picks went to Toyota for its Highlander Hybrid (best mid-sized SUV) and its hybrid Prius, named best "green" car by the magazine. Subaru won in the best small SUV category for its Forester, as well as the most fun to drive, the Impreza WRX STi sports car. Infiniti also won for the M35, which was named top luxury sedan.

That kind of success tells you pretty much all you need to know. Add to that news about failed safety tests and discount pricing gimmicks, and it’s as obvious as a Dodge Ram Mega Cab: people are willing to spend money on innovative, quality cars that have proven to be dependable, year after year. If you’re still skeptical, consider this: Honda sales have risen by 14 percent in the first two months of this year alone.