Luxury brands and Ford top quality survey; four-door Fiat 500 is coming

The Ford Focus topped the compact car segment. (Ford)

Luxury brands, Ford top quality survey
Ford jumped up to a top spot in J.D. Power and Associates' annual survey of the quality of new cars and trucks. The survey measures the number of problems per 100 vehicles produced in 2010 as reported by vehicle owners. The top 10 brands from the initial quality survey:
1. Porsche
2. Acura
3. Mercedes-Benz
4. Lexus
5. Ford
6. Honda
7. Hyundai
8. Lincoln
9. Infiniti
10. Volvo

--The Associated Press

The Fiat 600 would have the same general styling as this Fiat 500. (Fiat)

Four-door Fiat 500 may be out for 2011
Fiat plans to add another model to Chrysler dealerships soon. The company is planning a four-door version of the Fiat 500 for the 2011 model year -- the Fiat 600. It will compete against the extended-length Minis, including the Clubman and the four-door Countryman. The design is expected to mirror the two-door hatchback's retro look, with the addition of two doors and an extended back-seat area. The longer and wider 600 would be built at a Chrysler plant in Toluca, Mexico, beginning in the fourth quarter of this year.

--Wheelbase Communications