Clot wrote:

What I fail to understand is why US vehicle manufacturers wish to kill
themselves. Ford being the prime example producing massive large
engined trucks that no one wants and going down the tube as a result.
In Europe they have produced smaller much more efficient vehicles
successfully for many years. Similarly, GM. Why do they seem to have
a death wish allowing overseas competitors to steal the market? I
understand that there is a waiting list for diesel powered VW Jettas
in the US market. Ford produce Mondeos for the European market that
are just as good.

Heh. Back when, cheap, small imports from Japan were ruining the domestic
car industry in the States. The Congress, in its infinite wisdom, passed a
law limiting the NUMBER of foreign automobiles that could be imported.

Since Nissan, Honda, (et al) could not import five $10,000 automobiles, they
decided to make luxury cars and import ONE $50,000 car (this was back when
$50,000 was a lot of money). Enter Accura, Lexus, Infinity and others.