[jcommin]

I believe Ford will survive only because it is largely owned by the Ford family. I'm have my doubts about Chrysler - I don't think they make it. They have the wrong mix of product and I doubt the have the cash for product development. They won't totally disappear because of their parts business. GM makes it too but I expect to see several nameplates disappear.

The bigger tragedy is the loss of manufacturing in this country. Looking at history, the Country, Empire, etc who has/had the technological edge stays on top. We have convinced ourselves that cheap energy is a right, we are now very dependent on 3rd world countries having the largest oil reserves. This affects everything we do, buy and live. It has not stopped us from buying big cars - our legislation promoted it; gas tax dollars provide big pots of money for state and local governments. Some people belive we call drill our way out of it ( we consume 25% of the energy and have 3% of the worlds oil reserves - I don't know, you do the math). We are a product of the environment we created - and we are suffering for it.

It will probably take a generation to adjust to this enviroment; hopefully we develop a new energy resource and create industries that support it.