Consumer Reports trashes GM and Chrysler

This just in from the "We saw you lying face down on the curb so we figured we'd kick you in the ribs" department: Consumer Reports has issued its annual rankings of the most reliable car companies.

"Chrysler is a sad story," says David Champion, the magazine's auto testing chief. "The new models have missed the mark in terms of our testing and consumer appeal."

The federal government should certainly take a look at these rankings before it pumps more money into the US auto industry: Even if they get plenty of cash and are able to rework contracts and shed debt, the "crappy car" factor will trump everything.

You can see the top brands counted down in WalletPop's feature gallery.