I disagree. I don't think Ford and GM have "kept anybody down," except themselves...though a culture - stretching back 30 odd years - of poor management decisions, greed, planned obsolescence, lackluster customer service, inferior quality, etc, etc.

Now, having said that, many of those aforementioned charges seem to be applicable to Toyota right now - as it grows bigger and more arrogant - which frankly, makes me sort of smile inside. As Ford works to turn things around, Toyota is quietly imploding from within...at least a little bit.