While Ford’s made some really stupid mistakes in marketing its wares (dropping the successful “Taurus” nameplate for “Five Hundred”, missing several boats with the “Windstar” product [they could have beaten Chrysler to market with the drives side rear door back in the 1990s but decided that folks really didn’t need that door]), it has kept its eye on the quality ball in its automobile line (even Consumer Reports thinks so) and still does well with its trucks. It has shed its Jaguar / Rover cash drain and seems to have learned a lot about crashworthiness from Volvo even though it may soon sell that brand. It seems to be spending its limited funds more smartly than GM and has interesting products under development and more that it can bring in from overseas. It alone has a future in the coming decade of reduced vehicle demand worldwide.
Chrysler’s about dead – bringing in Fiats ain’t gonna help.
GM has too many brands, mostly lousy management, and a lousy management structure. They’re betting everything on the Volt, a car that can never recoup its investment, meaning that it will be sucking on the government teat for years to come.