[Commodore]

Perception is one of the huge issues Detroit fumbled. The Euro cars cost more, spent more time and money on what then seemed like frivolous details but in doing so separated their products from the ordinary 'Joe Blow' cars coming out of Detroit. They had a certain exclusivity. They nurtured the, 'We have something you don't', mentality and stayed the course. The Asian products on the other hand offered much of the same but at bargain prices. They managed to capitalize on, 'We're different, reliable and practical at the same time'. Detroit was much to slow and perhaps arrogant to embrace either of those mentalities. Detroit couldn't understand that raising or lowering a fin, popping on a vinyl top with opera windows or other 'upscale' goodies would keep their one time loyal customers returning for variations on the same theme. Detroit forgot how to lead and is now paying the price. That and corporate greed landed them where they are today. The big three can design and build cars as well if not better than any automotive company in the world but only if management gives their engineers and assemblers a fair chance. Catching up can be painfully slow. I hope they all succeed.