How important is the fate of U.S. automakers GM and Chrysler to Japan's auto industry?

Very important! Once they're gone, Japanese automakers will rule the world.

Competition spurs innovation. Also, many Japanese factories have outlets in the US whether they are parts factories, suppliers, or engine plants for the cars they sell inside the US. The auto corporation is a large web that interconnects. My Pontiac Vibe has a Toyota motor in it, it's a GM product but they all interchange parts these days.

Overall, it would really crush Japan at first. They'd recover, but export problems in the car sector and a few other would probably double.

Japan could learn a valuable lesson here. It cries when it's imports to the US are down, but it's own country's system is so over regulated, it is almost impossible for foreign companies to set up shop here. I hope Japan is listening.

aelieth is right. If any of the Detroit 3 go down, so will some key component suppliers. That means all of Toyota/Honda/Nissan production plants will be halted or disrupted for a short time until replacement suppliers are found. Another alarming possibility is if any of the Detroit 3 close down, they may try to liquidate all of their 6 month vehicle inventories, which is not good news for other automakers in the short term. In the long term, I guess Japanese automaker share would increase.

Why ask us? This is Japan Today, not The Economist.

Very important! Once they're gone, Japanese automakers will rule the world.

If the money crisis gets worse or doesnt change, countrys will try to rule the world anyway to save themselves. change is obvious, embrace it.

it is almost impossible for foreign companies to set up shop here

thats bad but good really. that way the japanese car industrys dont have competition, smart move to me..

thats bad but good really. that way the japanese car industrys dont have competition, smart move to me..

Smart if you want a bloated, ineffecient company. One of the reasons the Japanese auto-makers set up shop over in the US is because the American government pressured the Japanese government into "voluntary" limits on the number of cars it exports (a reverse quota of sorts). Limiting competition for such a developed company will turn it into GM. Competition, like exercise, is good to keep companies lean, innovative and competitive on the world stage.

From a consumer perspective, the fewer the makers, the fewer the options. The fewer the options, the more control companies have over pricing; something consumers would be wise not to wish for.

"Notginger at 09:04 AM JST - 1st April

Why ask us? This is Japan Today, not The Economist."

LOL...!

Hmm... maybe many employes of the big three buy japanese cars..?

Please, NO MORE Chrysler they make the ugliest automobiles. These companies had their chance to make Electric Cars long time ago. Theese companies control patients and etc. Oil companies control the GM AUTO COMPANIES. I SAY , "Down with them " !!! Let them go out of business.

First came the STEAM ENGINE 2000 years ago, THEN came the GAS ENGINE 1850's NOW ELECTRIC HYBRID 2000's

How come it took so long ? GM & Chrysler need to go !!!! They control to many patients and control people from inventing new things. They need to go !!!!!

Are Chrysler and GM running a hospital business now? Perhaps they could take out some medical patents.

whatever happens, there is going to be quite a bit of readjustment pain for several years. Whole industries will change, and the ripple effects will happen for a while. Lot of people are gonna have it tough, no two ways about it.