GM didn't become the biggest car maker because they're idiots. They became the biggest because they were making what people wanted. The US public is fickle. In good times and when gas prices are low, they want big gas eating machines. When times get tough or when gas prices rise, they suddenly want to save money on gas. The US consumer looks forward not further than next week's paycheck. It is an extremely selfish animal. You can't stop on a dime and do a 180 when you're making automobiles.