Free-market economy owned the domestics. Ironic and sad, but true. Overseas companys had the lock on efficient motors and small cars and when buyer's demands shifted, Detroit dropped the ball and really haven't picked back up since. Nowdays, even though US manufacturers have cought up on the small-car front, that stigma still persists.

The build quality and reliability issue is another stigma US carmakers have to battle. Even though most of the cars built here are plenty reliable and sturdy, the overall perception is based on news of recalls and lemons.

Styling is one area where US manufacturers have an opportunity to gain the most ground the fastest. The bitch of it is these perceptions take time to change. If US carmakers are going to re-position themselves as viable competitors for the imports, they are going to have to cast new light on themselves from a branding standpoint. They need to overturn entrenched preconceptions about who they are and what they make. It isn't going to be easy or fast, if they can even do it.

Cadillac, I think, is a perfect example of the kind of 180˚ most USDM brands are going to have to pull if they want to hang in the marketplace with any real power...