It's not just GM that's in trouble.

[Swamp Fox]

The era of the Big Three auto makers ended officially in Canada last month as their share of the Canadian market fell to less than 50 per cent for the first time. (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20051102.wxrcars02/BNStory/Business/)

I welcome it. If the Big Three had been allowed to dominate the industry indefinitely, it would have led to a feudal society, which would vindicate the nightmares of the left, but, fortunately, the free market does work, and foreign competitors have led to a break up of that social hierarchy. And that's good for the health of North American society.

[ethics]

How big is this being played out in Canada?

[Swamp Fox]

I don't live in southern Ontario, so I don't know - why do you ask, Leon?

[Advocat]

These news stories should give your an idea of how it's being taken; no panic, but concern.

End of an Era (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20051102/RCARS02/TPBusiness/TopStories)

Auto Analysists, Unions call for Government Action (http://www.cbc.ca/cp/business/051102/b110280.html)

While it's hard to know the government's state of mind on the issue, many believe that since the most popular Asian car brands in Canada are actually being built in Ontario, that the government views the change as simply jobs moving from one car manufacturer to another (Big Three to Asian).

But from a North American view: ""But I do believe that the North American auto industry is reaching a tipping point. We have a situation where we import about one in four of the vehicles that are sold in North America, and we export almost nothing outside of North America. That one-way imbalance of close to five million vehicles . . . is threatening the whole North American industry."

[jfcjrus]

.... But from a North American view: ""But I do believe that the North American auto industry is reaching a tipping point. We have a situation where we import about one in four of the vehicles that are sold in North America, and we export almost nothing outside of North America. That one-way imbalance of close to five million vehicles . . . is threatening the whole North American industry."
So, what do you think?
Is this not pretty much the free market at work?
Are Americans & Canadians simply preferring the quality and design of the 'foreign' products over the domestic?
Have not the American manufactures simply not kept up with what their customers want?

It's all pretty simple business, to me.
Keep up with the times, or lose market share.
(Unless you want to get into how unreasonable Union demands are killing them. ;) )

I ALWAYS still try to shop 'made in USA', but, sometimes there's nothing there that I want.
And that's a shame.
But, who's fault is that?

Regards,

[MNeedham73]

Are Americans & Canadians simply preferring the quality and design of the 'foreign' products over the domestic?

I think this is exactly what it is.

Over the past 5 years or so, however, domestic vehicle quality has risen sharply, equaling or, in some instances, surpassing that of imports. And several import brands quality (Mercedes comes to mind immediately) have actually gotten worse over the same span.

Unfortunately, old stereotypes die hard, and until the public is clearly shown that domestic quality nowadays is competitive with that of foreign manufacturers, we will continue to see foreign brands take more market share away from The Big 3.

[Techie2000]

I have to agree with you there Advocat. Even though it's a foriegn firm, if it's being built here, it is still countributing to our GDP and economically it shouldn't be huritng us.