These 2 Automakers Had a Stellar 2013

Ford may have been America's best-selling car brand for 2013, but a few other significantly smaller automakers also had a very fruitful year. Two of those automakers just happened to be a couple of our favorites, Subaru and Jaguar. While many brands were struggling during the global economic recession, Subaru prospered. The Japanese carmaker stayed consistent with its longtime philosophy of building affordable, reliable, and somewhat quirky all-wheel drive cars.

The payoff was significant: a 28 percent sales boost, partly thanks to new models like the redesigned Forester. This was the fifth year in a row in which Subaru's sales increased. On the other end of the pricing spectrum, Jaguar also had quite a year. In the US it gained a 41 percent sales increase, largely due to greater demand for the XF as well the rollout of the all-new F-Type roadster. Jaguar's future is also looking bright due to its upcoming BMW 3 Series fighter as well as a probable production version of its C-X17 luxury crossover concept. Hopefully at this time next year, both Subaru and Jaguar will be bragging about how they kicked ass in 2014.