[trapin]

Uhh....I wouldn't say we're in "big" trouble. We were in a bit of a downward spiral but are now coming out of it. Don't lopp us in with Ford...that's an insult.

As far as they're concerned, I'm worried about my cousin George...he's been there 16 years and has so far dodged every bullet they've shot. But I wonder how much longer he can keep it up.

The problem with domestic Automakers is more gray than it is black and white. I know I have popped off numerous times on this board and others about the perception people have about our cars. Japan has launched one of the most successful PR battles in this country over the past 20 years and our media has been all too happy to oblige them. They basically can get away with whatever they want and can absolutely do nothing wrong (at least that's what the media will have you believe). Case in point...the FJ Cruiser. Why isn't Toyota getting stoned to death for this vehicle the way we have been over HHR? Just look at it. If you don't see H3 in that vehicle you are blind as a friggin bat. Why aren't they being ridiculed, ripped on, and dragged across the coals? They did it to us over HHR, comparing it to the PT Cruiser. I'll tell you why they can get away with it......BECAUSE THEY'RE TOYOTA...THAT'S WHY. They can do no wrong....they're Gods....everything they touch turns to gold. I'll ask you to (once again) take a look at the Honda Element; praised to death in all the rags as a bold, risk taking concept that for a change is a different take on the SUV. You buy this car and you’re a smart buyer that knows quality and style when he sees it. Take the Honda badge off and put on a Pontiac V crest and you can flush all that praise and adulation straight down the toilet. Our media would have ripped that car a new ass, just as they did to the Pontiac Aztek.

Well, that’s enough. I no longer have the energy to argue this tired, drawn out debate about what’s wrong with our domestic car companies. We can't dwell on that crap. We have to press forward and continue to commit ourselves to delivering "must have" products with unparalleled quality. I am completely confident that the products we have coming out in the next 2 to 3 years will make us a force in this industry once again.