Ford climbed from sixth to fifth last year but will struggle to go higher. It lost a bit of market share in 2011 and a bit more in January, as the all-new Focus scared away buyers with its higher price points. A generational shift in Ford management, while more peaceful than in the past, may also prove unsettling. Much in 2012 will ride on the showroom success of the new Fusion, which made an acclaimed debut at the Detroit auto show, as well as the Escape crossover SUV.
NEXT: 6. Hyundai
