Plants closing, layoffs mounting…and new threats to start outsourcing. Things are bleak inDetroit, especially at General Motors, where the giant automaker is facing its biggest crisis since it teetered on the edge of bankruptcy back in 1992. But things aren't much better for Ford. And even at Chrysler, which is having a surprisingly good year, there are plenty of concerns. The automaker has even suggested it may turn to China to produce some cars for the North American market. Are things really as bad as they seem? There's no question, times are tough, but it's also likely that the Big Three are turning the screws on the United Auto Workers union, in a bid to win concessions on health care, pensions and productivity. These are clearly curious times, and things got even stranger this week, when the chairman of Toyota suggested that the Japanese auto industry ought to take steps to help out Detroit. Altruistic? No, just a realistic fear of new trade sanctions.
