I sure hope that Chrysler and Mercedes split because other than financial gains for the duo Chrysler has done nothing to support technological advancement of the companies. The way it appears to me is that Chrysler views Mercedes more like an opponent than a brother. Their lack of promotion for the crossfire is just one of the things that makes me think this way, among the main reasons of the cars failure and mentality could of very well been "Oh it is not really a Chrysler, why give Mercedes more promotion". Although there are quiet a few Chrysler cars that I like.

Another reason of the declining sales of the Big Three is the strategic marketing of the Japan's Three... their "our cars are very reliable" is believed by a majority... these people than proceed to lease these cars for a 3 year period... encounter no mechanical difficulties and go on believing that their car was reliable, when actually neither American nor German car of the same level and price would have mechanical difficulties either.

Also for some reason people now days feel that the japan's cars are more prestigious than americans' this boggles my mind as well...