Autos: Back on the Fast Track

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Once again, Chrysler made the first and most impudent move in the global direction. It introduced its newest small car, the Neon, not in the U.S. but at the Frankfurt auto show in September. There was much that attracted notice and respect: a small car with dual air bags, antilock brakes, a top speed of 125 m.p.h. and the interior space of much larger cars; and it was built from start to finish in a near record 31 months. The home team from Chrysler's two- year-old, $1 billion Auburn Hills, Michigan, technical center was understandably proud of its package but was also ready to give credit to the U.S. industry.

"For too many years," said Bob Lutz in the speech that launched the Neon, "it was said that Americans can't innovate, that they can't build great engines or truly exciting cars or great small cars. That is changing everywhere in Detroit, and it is definitely changing at Chrysler."

David Power, the quality critic Detroit almost rode out of town just 13 years ago, has also become a believer. "The industry was a laughingstock only a few years ago," he says. "But the U.S. automobile industry is going to be a leading example of what can be done in delivering quality products to satisfy the customer."

The newly crowned three kings of the American road intend to steer Detroit in the right direction. "For guys who love cars," says Glenn Gardner, the engineer who launched Chrysler's first platform team, "there's nothing greater than seeing the first cars come off the line, chunk, chunk, chunk, and be letter-perfect." Gardner blows a little victory kiss in the air. Chunk.

CHART: NOT AVAILABLE

CREDIT: From a telephone poll of 500 adult Americans taken for TIME/CNN on Dec. 2 by Yankelovich Partners Inc. Sampling error is plus or minus 4.5%.

CAPTION: Which country makes the best cars?

Compared with five years ago, are you more likely now to shop for a car made by a U.S. company?

Has the quality of cars built by the U.S. companies improved or declined in the past five years?

CHART: NOT AVAILABLE

CREDIT: [TMFONT 1 d #666666 d {Sources: Ward's automotive Reports, American Automobile Manufacturers Association}]CAPTION: GOOD YEAR ON WALL STREET

TURNING THE CORNER