• Detroit Bureau, Monday, November 12, 2012 8 AM

A Toyota dealership in Qingdao was burned by protestors in a dispute over an island chain claimed by both China and Japan. What’s bad news for the Japanese is turning into a hugely positive development for Detroit and European automakers.  General Motors Co., Ford Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG all stand to benefit as Japanese automakers are forced to cut back on their sales and marketing efforts in the critical China market because of a political dispute over Islands in the East China Sea. The maker’s market share in China dipped to 6.3% between July and September, compared with 7.5% during the previous quarter. Toyota Motor Co. and Honda Motor Co. had similar problems – and see similar challenges going forward. 

Read the whole story at Detroit Bureau »