This past year has not been a good one for the auto industry. Even though a few automakers had a good fyear last year by-in-large most felt the big bear claw of the global economic downturn.  So when I trudged my way to 2010 Washington (D.C.) Auto Show media day (as I have for the last few years) there was a feeling of emptiness in my gut. Though the 2009 show was a good show - what a difference a year makes. The events in the Auto Industry since the last year’s show are enough to make anyone depressed.  During the long cramped subway ride during morning rush hour, I kept thi

Personal luxury cars were where it was at in the 1970s. Even in the era of new Government regulations, Corporate Average Fuel Economy (C.A.F.E.) Standards, and skyrocketing fuel prices American’s generally wanted big well optioned cars. No segment proved this more than the two-door personal luxury coupe market. It was a segment that the 1958 Ford Thunderbird had created. Robert McNamara (who would later server under JFK and LBJ as U.S. Defense Secretary) was the Ford Executive back in the 1950s who realized that there was an untapped market segment that every automaker had overlooked.