Rat,
My opinion on this is that the domestic manufacturers ARE trying to make a good product. True, for years they have told us what we needed, rather than the opposite, and they at times have not handled themselves well. But I really challenge any of us to go out and find a major difference in build quality between two similarly priced vehicles from one of the major domestic manufacturers and an import at this time. The gap has closed or IS closed already. I have owned many domestic and imports, and currently have one of each. I have had no trouble with either. While I do not agree with the business model adopted by the "big three" in recent years I cannot argue that they have gained back lots of ground, and in many cases surpassed the imports. We as consumers are partially to blame. Now that the domestic makers are making good cars and trucks, we as a group do not buy them. We ask for "made in America" products, yet when they come out and are viable options, too many of us still go import. I am as guilty as the next person, but I am making an earnest effort to change. And Don, I think you are correct. Although I really like my 6.4L Ford with the Navistar built engine I do not see this relationship going much beyond 2010 between these two, unless a miraculous change occurs which I do not foresee.
John M
