The North American auto manufacturing market is expected to ship a little over 16 million cars and light trucks by the time 2006 draws to close, marking a fairly flat year compared with 2005. However, these numbers are deceiving. Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp.'s fortunes are sinking like a stone, said Peter Brown, VP-associate publisher at Automotive News, which is published by Crain Communications Inc., parent of BtoB. "Historically, they've had the big market shares domestically, but they're slipping as more and stronger competitors turn up the heat," Brown said. "Meanwhile, GM and Ford both have major problems with their businesses. They have real problems with legacy costs, few hit cars and trucks, and they've squeezed suppliers dry."
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