US stops importing Kraut junk and their economy tanks.
| Brand | Reliability vs. Toyota | Notable Insights |
| Toyota | Top-tier reliability | High scores in US & EU surveys, low ownership cost |
| BMW | 9/10 models less reliable | Better safety in some models, higher upkeep |
| Mercedes-Benz | Lower reliability (EU avg ∼89) | Previously renowned for quality, now mixed feedback |
| Volkswagen | Lower reliability (EU avg ∼87) | Decent durability in older models; newer less so |