Another Mega-Auto Firm For Detroit To Contend With

Cars and Drivers

Published: July 17, 2009 4:51 am

Last Updated: April 27, 2020 4:07 pm

It is not enough that two-thirds of The Big Three have gone through bankruptcy and that GM is controlled by the Treasury Department. Detroit has to contend with the more adroit and well-funded major car companies from Japan. Toyota (TM) has a chance to take the first place in auto market share in America in 2010, and Honda (HMC) is not terribly far behind it.

European car companies have not done as well as the Asians in the US market.

Mercedes and BMW sales are limited by the price points of their cars. Saab, Volvo, Jaguar, and Rover were all part of US companies and did no better than their parents. Fiat and VW were chased out of the American market years ago.

VW covets the US business that the Japanese have. It is the largest car company in Europe and has a wide range of models that can match any of its global peers. Now, it looks like it will improve its arsenal by buying a large piece of Porsche, gaining de facto control of the smaller firm.

VW has lacked a luxury brand to help it push back into the US market. It has not had a credible competitor for Cadillac, Lincoln, Lexus, or Mercedes. That is about to change.

Detroit’s bad dreams are about to get worse.

Douglas A. McIntyre

Travel Cards Are Getting Too Good To Ignore (sponsored)

Credit card companies are pulling out all the stops, with the issuers are offering insane travel rewards and perks.

We’re talking huge sign-up bonuses, points on every purchase, and benefits like lounge access, travel credits, and free hotel nights. For travelers, these rewards can add up to thousands of dollars in flights, upgrades, and luxury experiences every year.

It’s like getting paid to travel — and it’s available to qualified borrowers who know where to look.

We’ve rounded up some of the best travel credit cards on the market. Click here to see the list. Don’t miss these offers — they won’t be this good forever.