Death of the US auto industry?

BenReilly · Jun 18, 2003

http://www.economist.com/opinion/displayStory.cfm?story_id=1842437

Can Detroit escape the grim reaper a third time? The odds look poor. In the past seven years Detroit's share of the American market has slid from 73% to barely 63%. If SUVs, pick-ups and the like are excluded, the big three's share of the passenger-car market is already under half. The backlash against gas-guzzling vehicles can only be bad for Detroit. And the Japanese and German car companies have begun to produce models that compete head-on with such American icons as Ford's F-150 truck. If the Japanese repeat their success with smaller cars, the big three's last profitable redoubt will be overrun. The extinction of America's car giants is no longer just a bad dream: it is coming closer to reality.
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JimmieLivealot · Jun 18, 2003

I saw this article where GM's CEO brags about his willingness to continue offering huge, money loosing discounts and explains how DaimlerChrsyler doesn't have the sack to do the same.

http://www.freep.com/money/business/walsh18_20030618.htm

spejic · Jun 18, 2003

Slate had a recent article saying that GM was (once again) promising to bring quality to their automobiles. Doesn't sound hopeful.

http://slate.msn.com/id/2084377/