Using the liberal definition of what you include in worldwide sales, GM may not be the biggest automaker a year from now.

Toyota obviously has staked a lot of its prestige on this technology, so if there is a developing negative backlash in the U.S., they are going to work very hard to reverse that.

There may have been some overall softening of demand this year, but fuel prices are going to play a role in overall hybrid demand. We're starting to come to the realization that the fuel-price spike that we thought was seasonal is now becoming less so.

We're at a tipping point. We're getting to the point where there's some question whether this is seasonal or long term.

That's part of the carrot you put out with communities as you're closing a plant.

GM may not be the biggest automaker a year from now.