What if, because we all re-adjust to a new, more cautious, economic reality people begin to keep their cars longer?

Domestic cars tend to last an enormous length of time. In a society that starts to treat cars as less disposable with owners keeping them for a decade or so, might not the domestics start to look better to the general public?

I didn't quite put this the way I wanted, so I hope the meaning comes across.

EDIT: I guess what I'm saying is that I remember when people used to keep a car until it was completely hopeless, and that a time like that seems to be returning. Domestic cars tended to fare very well in that sort of market, they kept going until the bodies started to blow away in the wind.

Old imports just tend to get recycled

I dont know that the new domestics are built that same way like they once were. The reason my 2 have lasted so long is that they werent subjected to very much road salt like Wisconsin likes to use in the winter. I for one wouldnt look forward to keeping my daily driver forever. Though one never knows what may come in the future. Though the new cars do have far better bodies on them than the old ones ever did. Thats 1 VERY good reason I use my new vehicle in the winter.

Imports cost more to get repaired and maintain also. Who really wants to spend $800 at 160,000 miles for their second timing belt change on their Civic?

With a few exceptions (like the northstars and corvette which likely equal their import counterparts) domestics are just cheaper to keep on the road. People like to bash on the 3800... but with a gazillion of them wandering around out there, there is plenty of aftermarket support.

Imports cost more to get repaired and maintain also. Who really wants to spend $800 at 160,000 miles for their second timing belt change on their Civic?

With a few exceptions (like the northstars and corvette which likely equal their import counterparts) domestics are just cheaper to keep on the road. People like to bash on the 3800... but with a gazillion of them wandering around out there, there is plenty of aftermarket support.

Yes, a huge factor right there.

When you have to live with your car over a much longer period of time, I think the domestics stand to fare quite well.