Industry Report Part 3: Toyota and Lexus Take 7 First Place Finishes in J.D. Power VDS

A domestic took the lead in the Entry Midsize Category, which is nothing new. After all, the Chevrolet Malibu won this

The Chevrolet Malibu once again took 1st place in the Entry Midsize Category. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

spot last year too. The next two spots are held by the Nissan Altima and Pontiac Grand Am, replacing the Plymouth Breeze and Chrysler Cirrus which are both discontinued now.

The Premium Midsize Car category fell to the Japanese, no less than Toyota's quirky looking but nevertheless dependable Avalon taking 1st place once again. Buick's Century has the honor of moving up from last year's 3rd position to 2nd and bumping Toyota's Camry and Camry Solara right out of the top 3 altogether, while dragging its sibling Buick Regal along for the ride to 3rd.

In its only out-and-out win, Chrysler dominates the field in the important Full-Size Car category with its Concorde, beating the Mercury Grand Marquis and Ford Crown Victoria in 2nd and 3rd places respectively. The Crown Vic doesn't change its position from the

Toyota's quirky looking but nevertheless dependable Avalon took top spot in the Premium Midsize Car category. (Photo: Toyota Canada)

2003 VDS, but its Mercury sibling was in the top spot last year and the Buick LeSabre, that was in 2nd is now right out of the top 3 standings.

The Entry Luxury Car segment is a bit of an anomaly, being that the exact same models placed in the exact same positions from 2003 to 2004. Still in the top spot is the Lexus ES 300, followed by Infiniti's I30 and Acura's TL.

Acura fell from grace as the leader of the Mid Luxury Car category last year, joining the previously 3rd placed Buick Park Avenue in award oblivion. Last year's 2nd place Lincoln Town Car (as if that's a mid-luxury car mind you) moves up to 1st, while two newcomers, Lexus GS 300/430 and Lincoln Continental (no longer available) take 2nd and 3rd spots respectively.