Well-known Forbes automotive columnist Jerry Flint discussed his views on what the automakers did right and wrong in 2006 in his latest Backseat Driver column.

He found Toyota’s apologizes over the recent quality issues over its Avalon and Camry sedans to be a smart move for the company. Same with the product delays: he reminds readers of GM’s years of insistence that its products were fine even when consumers complained about missing and exposed screws in their new vehicles. Well, consumers repaid the world’s largest automaker by shopping elsewhere: in California, Toyota retail sales overwhelmed all Detroit competitors.

But the now Detroit Three have their string of successes in 2006. GM, argues Flint, was smart to drop the possible Nissan alliance. Ford’s recent leadership change was a bold move that, even if Mulally fails, at least showed some action from the beleagured automakers.

Flint commments on other automakers such as Volkswagen. our take is that 2006 will be viewed as the beginning of major changes for all automakers and whose resolution is still years in the future.