The US government needs to enact a huge tax incentive for purchasing a new, high mpg auto, while increasing taxes on any auto getting less than 20-25 mpg. The US auto companies need to gear up to the future and produce autos capable of 40-45 mpg. This is one cycle that is not repeating itself infinatum. Both the US as a society and as a business does not have the fortitude for such a drastic change.

I think it is a shame that Americans continue to be less and less loyal to our country and one another. When times get tough we (Americans), need to hunker down and support our workers and our American companies. I get sick when I see a foreign car on the road. I will only buy Ford or Chevy no matter the price or the gas mileage.

Nonsense. How come these type of "support the country" and US government incentive talk only show up in auto industry related blog posts anywhere around? I am sick of these paid UAW posts that pretend to be regular readers.

It's too bad the big three didn't see the signs comming. Industralizing 3rd world nations sell more cars because more people have bigger incomes. Living in Thailand now seven years, I've seen the shift from motocycles to cars.

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why should any body buy an american car..they are all garbage especially
Fords fix or repair daily after 3 years. FORD is garbage just like george garbage bush

Well who knows if you buy american GM might sue you in a few years to get back their employee discount, thats america for you. Yes I know they are only doing it to employees that took advantage of it, I'm just saying its always a possibility they might do it.

Regarding:
"The US government needs to enact a huge tax incentive for purchasing a new, high mpg auto"

Just tax gasoline. Just as you've seen demand shift to small cars in the aftermath of the recent oil price spikes, you'll see demand stay with small cars if the federal gas tax is increased. You don't need a NEW tax to induce this behavior. Europe has used gas taxes for decades now to induce people to purchase small cars. It works and it's simple.

Seeing those toyota sales #'s show the misperceptions today by the us consumer??Using the BUICK example, as in your comments, illustrate the problems facing us carmakers today!!More MYTH, thanTRUTH,the toyota CAMRY is not a better automobile than the current BUICK models!!THE us consumer, SUFFERS FROM A SERIOUS CASE OF TUNNEL-VISION, when they buy the japanese product withgiving abuick, OR OTHER AMERICAN PRODUCTS, A FAIR SHOT AT EARNING THEIR LOYALTY??Today the domestic auto makers, need to educate the us car buying public!!truth is, there is very little difference in todays cars, be they domestic or asian $$ for $$ model for model!!us carmakers continue to suffer from sins of the past, which has no relevance to todays products!!! MANNY D BAY SHORE NY

This are all good comments. However we must look at the big picture, we all know well at least most of us know that gas prices are going up, just part of inflation. The American car manufactures were stubborn yes they fail to foresee the on your face future, the average Joe cannot afford to drive a gas hog any longer + as some claim the American car manufacturers have made big improvements but still lag far behind imports any and all imports the finish of the American cars leaves a lot to be desired also safety and reliability are big factors, companies like JD power have given the American car manufactures thumps up, but those are only surveys, cars are big ticket items that should last many years, when I think of reliability of a car I think of engine, transmission, alternators, fuel injections body parts, paint job,interior and other major components and as they say they just fall apart. In other words the domestic car buying public been given the shaft. But the joke was on the American car manufactures.