The American Auto Industry Is Toast

That isn't a new or unique observation, of course, but it struck me again while reading that Hyundai plans to become the world leader in auto quality.
Now, they're already a leader in low prices, and if one adds Toyota-style dependability...

The advantage that U.S. manufacturers have is in simply knowing the American market better than anyone else.
The reason that GM and Ford still exist as independent companies, (for now), is that they called the shift from passenger cars to pick-ups and SUVs better than anyone else. However, actually assembling the vehicles isn't their strong suite, and perhaps they should quit doing it.

They should design, market, and distribute the vehicles, but outsource the assembly, much like the computer industry.

One caveat: If GM's hydrogen fuel cell vehicle programme eventually comes up with something cheap enough to sell to the general public, then GM may get a big enough boost to survive cheap, high quality imports, as well as their own demographically-driven pension and health-care-cost disaster.