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A lot of people are quick to blame Unions, which has some truth to it but just a little. The fact is if corporate America would quit fleecing American workers and America there would be no need for unions. Fords problems go much deeper than blaming the unions. No leadership, no new ideas, slow response to changing conditions. They are still trying to milk the gas hog SUV's and Pickup trucks. This is why Toyota, and Honda are kicking there butts. They advertise some of there gas economy cars at 30 mph and that just isn't good enough. They just don't get it. I own all Fords, because they have served me well. I have a Ford Escort that gets 36mpg non highway mileage. Guess what they don't make them anymore. Think that was the unions idea to quit making them. Unions have their problems too, but people see that the CEO's get undeserving multimillion dollar salaries and want there fair share and who could blame them. They have hopes and dreams too. Their is plenty of blame to go around with corporate shouldering the bulk of it.

I agree. I am an independent consultant in automotive marketing.

One of the biggest advantages the imports have is far superior marketing. The Detroit Three (particular Chrysler and Ford) give their ad agencies entirely too much power. The ad agencies recommend what's most profitable for them (TV and magazine advertising, which has lost much of its effectiveness).

Toyota, on the other hand, will have increased its event marketing budget by 600% from 2005 to 2007. They have vehicles where people can see and touch them.

The quality gap between the Detroit Three and the imports really has narrowed in recent years. But, there no way they can convince you of that when they bombard you with ads on Fox NFL Sunday this afternoon.