Like everyone else, I "know" that American auto makers produce very bad cars. I believe this even though I have a Ford Focus, and it's been a very good car. Writing this, presumably, will lead the drivetrain to disintegrate tomorrow, but I've had the vehicle since 2000, and it's had very few problems, and almost none in the last five years. And frankly, I'm a pretty bad car owner -- forgetful with oil changes and lazy about tuneups. My mileage is bad, but that's because I have a stick shift and I drive it aggressively. According to JD Power, the Ford Focus's owner-reported mileage is better than the EPA estimate and better than the industry average. Indeed, they give it a 5 out of 5 for environmental efficiency and name it one of the top three compacts. But if I were buying again, I'd of course buy a Civic or Corolla, because unlike when I was 16, I don't pay much attention to car ratings, and everyone knows American cars suck, and no one knows if American car makers will even outlast the decade. And yes, I realize this can be read as either an argument for saving the American auto industry or for recognizing the depth of its hole and letting it die.
