Nissan Starts Construction on Russian Plant

While American car companies, GM, FORD, DaimlerChrysler, are still in the restructuring mode, Japanese car companies continue to expand.

Nissan Motor Co. held a groundbreaking ceremony in St. Petersburg, Russia, formerly Leningrad. I say that because I was there when it was still Leningrad.

Nissan's total investment will be about $200 million.

Cars will begin rolling out in 2009 with hopes of churning out up to 50,000 cars annually.

By that time, American cars will be…well, who knows…still restructuring, I suppose.

Why do you think American carmakers cannot compete with

the Japanese?

Attention to detail? Listening to the customer? Giving the customer what they want instead of telling the customer what they want maybe?

What do you think?