[A crucial point is that Japanese carmakers would still be in good shape even if the Armada and the Sequoia weren't selling, because they have competitive models in every segment. For American automakers, big SUVs are leading the way to closed plants and layoffs. With the Expedition and the Excursion out front, Ford started talking about both things August 16. In the second quarter of 2005, Ford is poised for a pretax loss of $1.21 billion.] The challenge we face isn't a traditional economic downturn, ... It's a new, rapidly evolving, brutally competitive global marketplace.