With Chrysler bankrupt, GM nearly so, and several other manufacturers in trouble, rumours are flying about mergers and buyouts. Pundits who long ago claimed that the auto industry would some day be reduced to a few combines are being congratulated as visionaries. But where will the familiar marques go? Fiat is rumoured to be aiming at Opel, Saab, and Suzuki , joining Chrysler in a world-wide conglomerate. Volkswagen/Audi/Porsche says it plans to become number one in North America. The Chinese intend to conquer the automaking world, even if some of its offerings are copycats. Websites at the moment are loaded with all sorts of news and speculation but the truth is, no one really knows what's going to happen, except that it's happening quickly as automakers worldwide continue to be affected by the recession.

Curiously, I haven't read a word about Daewoo, the Korean company that General Motors purchased a few years ago and which manufactures several cars for sale in the US and Canada wearing Chevrolet and Pontiac labels. My suspicion is that GM wants to keep Daewoo in the family, for it could be a useful source of relatively low-cost automobiles in the future. For those folks who simply want dependable, affordable transportation (which is most of us) a Daewoo-built Chevy offers surprisingly good value. Incidentally, the Chevrolet Aveo, Suzuki Forenza and Suzuki Reno, all offered in the US market, are re-badged Daewoos.

Vehicles Shown: 2010 Chevrolet Aveo5 and Sedan