I agree completely. I would especially like to see a cheap electric car, but even a cheap gas car would be a great product. I used to have a '67 Ford Falcon. It was a nice car.

A cheap electric car would be ideal. It could use plain old lead batteries and have a range of only 60 miles or so. There could be the possibility of upgrading the batteries to increase range if desired. This car might not be accepted by everyone, but it would sell well if it was cheap. I'd like to have one.

Safety features aside, which cost a lot but are, I feel, a necessity, unconventional solutions that appeal to smaller segments---a short-distance electric car, a steel-framed car with a fabric skin, small engines that don't have much power but get great mileage, two-seaters with attachable cargo or rear seat areas---make a lot of sense. It seems when cars are built to appeal to a small segment (e.g., the Plymouth Prowler roadster or the Chevy SSR retro pickup) they're expensive gas guzzlers. Maybe it WILL be smaller companies that begin to make a difference.

Although I'd like to see an electric car that works, I don't think that's a requirement for this. I think the Big Three need to get into this now, and I don't think there's an electric car ready now.

It's just that all cars have alloy wheels, power windows, power steering and all of the US designed cars are just too big.

I was looking at the Ford Focus Sedan S webpage --this is the cheapest car Ford sells--past $15K-- has a Standard A/c, CD, Six airbags, 16 valves, split rear seat backs...doesn't anyone there know how to save money? it also has full length console, head rests for the back seat, heck, it comes tire-pressure monitering. I just don't need any of those things. Yes, they're nice but I'll never buy their car because I won't spend the money.

I agree also on this. Indias tata is about 2000 USD new. That is cheap. But not safe. I bet if they made a tata safe it would cost USD 4000. Shipped and taxed it would cost USD 5000. Sorry folks, but the factories who has not closed all ready in Europe and USA will be closed soon, if they are not protected by the governments.

Why have a factory in the US when China, India will put in more work for the same dollar? We still control it by chosing material, design and safety.

I can think of a few reasons that cars need to be produced domestically. The first is national defense. In WWII, the auto plants in america, germany, russia, etc, all switched to war material. When the next big-war comes, we'll have our pants down. So will Sweden.

The second is jobs. I don't know what work people do in Sweden, but in the US, we're almost down to only service jobs. Service jobs don't bring money into a region--they only allow the money to change hands in that region. Without farm exports, the US would be a import-only country. I'm amazed that people still take our dollar--we just print them, you know, they don't stand for anything. Even our Boeings and Cessnas are made in other countries now.

The third is logistics. US cars in the US get many more years on the road than foreign cars because parts availibility is much easier. I have a '93 Australian car that parts aren't availible for in the autoparts stores anymore--that's not old to me; I still have a '69 Ford truck and a '57 tractor that I can buy parts for easily. Also, shipping a new car half-way around the world costs fuel and produces CO2--

The fourth reason is balance of trade. When you only import, pretty soon, people wonder if they're going to ever be paid back. Ironically, I'm afraid that this is a problem that will solve itself this summer when the American dollar loses 60 percent of it's value. A $3000 tata (that's the price we saw on the news, not $2000) will cost us $8k US.

Hi again! Well got the price from here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tata_Nano

Anyway, sure Sweden has very few factories. We have a few supported by the government. Probably to keep us somewhat independent if something goes wrong with the union.

Im sure its all good to close most of the factories since no one is prepared to pay for US or Swedish made goods anymore. We can still sell our knowledge and hi end products. Whe they make money in China, they are not drinking Chinese rice-wine. They have a Swiss-watch and eat Alaskan salmon! So the trade i bet would be pretty intact. However in China there is bad times as well right now. The migrant workers who used to be in this town are all gone now. That is somewat scary since they go home to make sometimes USD 100 a year (worst case senario, farmer in north west). They made up 50% of the population.Us and Europe has a way to get things done. We do it in a way that produce a good product in demand. They have no clue how to do that here. Therefore, servicejobs is kind of a joke, i know, but remember that most patents are from US and Europe, all western companies has western people hired here.

I know future in US and Europe looks sad, but unfortunatley it looks bad everywhere. And people who live on a dollar a day need more. I think its good for stability.

Us export many raw materials also to China. US will be stong forever, before it was alone, not it has company by EU and China. But im sure that will benefit all of us. I lived in EU, USA and China and like all places for the people and what they are. I see good and bad in all places.

In the best of worlds. I would have a chinese wife (cheap to maintain) with Swedish looks (they are knockouts back home) and with American attitude (relaxed and jolly)!

I agree. Cars are far too over-engineered. Why are so many Americans driving big 2 ton gas-guzzling cars? Do they live on farms? A four seater car could be quarter the weight. The key to making a cheap car is to make it light. Heavy cars, need heavier and bigger engines, heavier brakes, heavier wheels, heavier chassis, etc, carrying more fuel because it is so inefficient.

The design of a cheap car is to go the other way. Small means lighter. Use large sectional body panels that can be assembled easily. Strip down the interiors. All that upholstery everywhere inside looks nice, but is expensive and wastes space. take it away. Take away half the gadgets and dials. You don't need onboard computers. Get rid of half the wiring. Create a car that people will want to buy - a very low cost, small, economical car that looks distinctive and is attractive to most people. A Fiat 500 for America. A Mini for America. A 2CV for America.

Actually, Professor Underpants, I Do live on a 'farm', rural anyways and I don't see how that would mean I need a fancy car. I heard a piece about the new 4000 pound twin-turbo Taurus on the radio today. It's 203 inches long, vs. the original at 188 and it's big selling points are side-looking radar for intersections, sync radio to talk to your ipod, and electronic stability control. I don't buy new cars because they cost too much. Why would I want all of that computer jazz that'll just break.

Also, I'm in favor of your small car theory, but in decades past, Detroit could still make a cheap car by just stripping all of the options and chrome and putting in the three-speed manual trans with a six, with dog-dish hubcaps. A moderatly big car can still be 'cheap'..They've just forgotten how.