Ford, GM Ready To Break Out

By Thomas Hughes The domestic auto industry has been perking up. 2011 was a good year for General Motors (GM), Ford (F) and the string of supply companies that keep the auto giants operating. In 2011 the U.S. automakers reclaimed domestic market share and the top two spots in world sales. Their foreign based competitors have faced challenges that do not seem to be subsiding. Here at home the economy, while not strong, is still expanding and gaining speed. The European debt crisis and recession are hurting sales and manufacturing in the region while in Asia economic growth has slowed to its lowest rate in years. This is compounded by two serious natural disasters. U.S. automakers have been sheltered from both obstacles and have the growing support of the U.S. market. GM CEO Daniel Akerson has been fighting hard to enhance the company’s corporate image. He has butted heads with the aging corporate bureaucracy in General Motors and is trying to standardize the brand. A recent move to upgrade all GM dealerships has limited support. The move is estimated to cost each dealership about $1 million. Many dealers are asking why it is important they all look the same. They…