Stick to aviation - not automotives
"... US auto makers have long since given up any illusion that they could do similar."
Mini - you may be a pilot but you don't have a clue about international automotive issues
Here is just one example for one US company that shows how incorrect your statement was:
Ford's October sales in its traditional 19 European markets increased by 4.7 per cent to 95,800 vehicles, while market share was 8.1 per cent - up 0.5 percentage points from 2010
Ford market share rose in 15 of its traditional 19 European markets compared with a year ago
October sales in the UK, where Ford is the market leader, climbed by 8 per cent to 23,500 sales, and share was 14.8 per cent, up 0.6 percentage points
Ford's positive momentum in Germany continues, with October sales up 6.8 per cent to 22,700 vehicles, and total vehicle market share at 8.0 per cent up by 0.5 percentage points. Year-to-date, Ford sales in Germany are up 18.1 per cent
Ford's sales across its total 51 European markets in October were 123,300 - an increase of 6,000 or 5.2 per cent higher on October 2010. Year-to-date, however, Ford's sales in these markets are 1,327,300, up 2.9 per cent, or 37,000 vehicles, from a year ago
Russia was Ford's third-largest market by volume in October, with sales totalling 11,400 vehicles, up 28.8 per cent from a year ago. Year-to-date, Ford sales in Russia are up 34.1 per cent
Sales of the new Focus surpassed the 150,000 mark (at 151,700) units after seven months on sale in Europe