Sadly for those of us who grew up surrounded by iconic American cars, now being replicated as “retro,” such as the Ford Mustang or Dodge Challenger, the facts are closer to what Friedman said in his most recent column – “It’s all about the thing itself” – in which he wrote, “Walk through any college campus today. You don’t see a lot of Buicks.”

Where I live – Seattle – one can see a few more of the Chevrolet Cobalt SS on the street. But it might be too little, too late. The mark that GM and Chrysler LLC needs to hit keeps moving.

The Cobalt SS was third in a comparo of inexpensive, yet quick, cars in the January 2009 issue of Car and Driver magazine – not bad, considering the company. Still, the Volkswagen GTI was second and the MazdaSpeed 3 Grand Touring was first.

Chrysler LLC, according to the editor that coordinated this comparo, Michael Austin, apparently had nothing worth being in the company of these cars (and the Subaru Impreza WRX, Honda Civic Si, Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliant and the Mini John Cooper Works Clubman).

Somehow Detroit needs to develop product that we will indeed see more of on college campuses. Otherwise, no amount of shutting down plants to save money will ensure survival.