Asia is a prime example for car appliances. No heart no soul. A to B cars. Period. Toyota has met its goal of being the biggest and it is failing at it. Quality has gone down and they are losing money. Honda had not moved forward past VTEC engines. BMW/ Benz/VW have terrible reliability and high cost of ownership- with a few exceptions. I am under no illusion the BIG 3 are any better, but to apply a generic comment that Europe and Asia are any better is foolish. BTW, the BIG 3 are global too, but I am sure you knew that as your wisdom precedes you.

The reason cars have lost cool points is because of Asia car company culture, gas prices, and the chronic ADD that has infected the world. We all must have some in-hand toy that flashes and beeps. Cars are so refined that you need not pay any attention to the road, others, or the weather. Just turn on the stereo, hit cruise, talk on the cell, and drink your latte..

1900-1920: Infancy – cars didn’t yet know their place as they replaced horses and steam, and like any infant, they were clad in what their parent’s generation thought was fit and proper. They served a purpose and moved from hobby to necesity.
1920-1940: Early Youth – Couldn’t walk or talk without a hand being held, but held their own and began to breed new interests and uses as quality and performance became more useful.
1940-1960: Adolesence – Starting to explore and get creative. Cars began to get personalities and diversify. Everyone wanted one, so cars were styled now to fit individual personalities.
1960-1980: College – They’re on their own now, and some want their own slice of pie, whether it’s performance, class, economy, utilitarian, etc. They are plagued by their own ambitions, and succomb to the real world by outside factors like oil crisis, the digital age, freedom movements, economy. What burned bright and fierce were quickly subdued into mainstream monotony.
1980-2000: First Job – Struggle to make a difference in society despite the restrictions, and a little experience blended with technology goes a long way. Technology and dependence has bred a categorical car that everyone has to have, but has been overshadowed by a world overwhelmed by its own innovations – Both domestic and international. The struggle to conform and obey the rules has changed what people need and want.
2000-NOW: Survival of the fittest. The overwhelming pressure to deliver, but gaining experience has forced the individual automobile to cater to world demand rather than family and friends. Global economy has increased pressure to deliver the stereotypes that were developed in its younger developing years, but it’s learning that it’s all for show. It’s time for a middle age crisis, and that’s what the American automakers are having, a crisis. While some have embraced their years and show they still remember the fun parts of their youth, such as global manufacturers in Europe and Asia, they know they can’t return and make the best of their situation. Detroit has yet to embrace this and still seems set to live out their dying years clinging to a memory of the past. The big three might as well work on a joint project to deliver the biggest American do all hybrid truck/car/minivan/SUV/twin turbo V8 hemi sports with quad engine vents, oversized rims, a battering ram, quad exhaust, in-dash Starbucks dispenser, steering wheel mounted web browser/Nav/DVD player, CVT with gear shift noises and a get out of my way bumper sticker placed just above the optional brass balls/spinners/soccer ball hitch mount cover. And call it the Supernova.