That raise came as workers at other factories, including staff at a Honda Motor Co.

WSJ: China's Rising Wages Propel Prices

The other car to get a passing grade was the Acura TL, made by Honda Motor Co.

WSJ: New Safety Test Puts Car Buyers in a Quandary

That would also have put Nissan North America ahead of its next-nearest rival, American Honda Motor Co.

FORBES: New York Auto Show: Brace For More Nissan, Infiniti Ads, As Nissan Chases Honda

Honda Motor Co. shares surged 14 percent, Toyota Motor Corp. jumped 7.8 percent, and Sony Corp. rose 9.6 percent.

NPR: Stocks Up On Interest Rate Expectations

Honda Motor Co. showed off its updated Odyssey minivan Tuesday evening ahead of the New York International Auto Show.

WSJ: Honda Odyssey: The minivan with its own vacuum

Mr. Briggs, who has worked for GM in the past and now works with other auto makers including Honda Motor Co.

WSJ: GM Says Facebook Ads Don't Pay Off

"We, Honda Motor Co Ltd, have come to the conclusion that we will withdraw from all Formula One activities, making 2008 the last season of our participation, " said Fukui.

CNN: Honda blames global crisis for F1 withdrawal

"It's inevitable we'll see adverse effects, " Honda Motor Co.

WSJ: Japanese Auto Sales Climb 92%

Honda Motor Co. is recalling 1.1 million vehicles.

NPR: Toyota, Honda, Nissan Announce Air Bag Recall

American Honda Motor Co.

FORBES: Mazda Preemption Case Could Expand Automaker Liability

Toyota competes globally with other major automakers such as Honda, General Motors, Ford Motor Co.

FORBES: Toyota Earnings On Tuesday Could Drive Stock To $76