The problem is purely of perception. Perception is everything, no matter what industry you're in. If the mass populace thinks it's true... it
is true to that group. Improving the product is easy, improving the perception is a hard, long road.
The US manufactures are making huge strides in improving their quality. Unfortunately it's falling on the public's deaf ears.
Until there is something to shake up the market (chp 11 or a huge reorg), the public won't notice and that perception won't change.
I'm a car nut that has followed the new gen Malibu's story and mentioned it to everyone I can. I love the car. Even though I know it's improved, and have seen it's quality first hand, the nameplate has a horrible stigma. My initial reation is that it's a "cheap, plastic filled rental car." Only after that do I remember it's improvements.
The public's perception of the Accord nameplate is quality. At this point Honda can do whatever they want with it, and the public will happily move right along with them.
America has turned into a bunch of sheep.