I agree it is sad but like you said it isn't surprising. First of all, look at how many non-U.S. brands are sold here. Too many to list. Secondly, look at the mid-sized offerings made by the big three in comparsion to Japan.

The Fusion offers much lower fuel economy and lower output in both I4 and V6. The interior is nice but that is were it ends for the Fusion. The Fusion needs to have its platform strengthened since it is below industry standards in terms of safety. They need to get rid of those unreliable Aisin-Warner 6-speed autos and switch over to their new 6-speed they co-developed with GM. They should offer the Mercury Milan with the 6-speed standard instead of the 5-speed auto to distinguish itself from the Fusion. They should ditch the 3.0L Duratech and develop a new V6 or have Yamaha make one for them that has some actual power and reliability. They also need to stop using F-words to describe their new models, it is stupid. Mercury needs to stop using M-words on theirs as well for the same reason.

The Sebring/Avenger offer their outdated 4-speeds as the only choice with their I4 making it slower and less fuel efficient than their Japanese rivals. They detuned the 3.5L when it needed the full 250hp & 250ft-lbs of tq to remain competitive. The dash interior is full of hard plastics that will not match Honda's quality. It is sad that an ex-luxury division markets themselves as being a discount to a non-luxury model. They need to give the 3.5L the full 250hp version with some technological updates (VVT and Direct Injection). Chrysler should match the best technology being used in the industry regardless what the cost is. That is the point of a luxury division. They need to ditch that pointless 2.7L and either reintroduce the Chrysler 3.2L (not the 3.2L offered in the Crossefire, the one from the LH cars) or offer the 3.8L V6 as a medium offering that would offer a resonably priced V6 for those who just want a V6. The Chrysler should offer the 6-speed in all levels standard. The Dodge should offer the 6-speed as an option for all engines.

GM's only model that can compete in terms of refinement against the Japanese varients is the Saturn Aura, but the problem is they aren't offering their I4 with a 6-speed as the base engine. They are instead using that stupid strategy of offering a V6 for the price of a I4. The problem is that some people buy the I4 because they want the fuel mileage and they notice that their V6 with an outdated 4-speed is no faster than a 5-speed auto I4. When they finally offer an I4 with a 6-speed, which model do they give it to? Chevrolet! That is the dumbest strategy ever. Chevrolet will never compete successfully against Honda and Toyota because in the mind of consumers Chevrolet=cheap; meanwhile, Honda and Toyota in the mind of consumers equals class leader offerings. They need to make a Buick version of the Eplison platform and offer the most innovative technologies within the company to one up their competition since Buick has developed a positive reliability image as well as a refinement image. They could pull the rug from underneath Toyota and Honda if they would just try for crying out loud.

That is just the tip of the iceberg of things I would do differently, but I'll save that for my book I'm currently working on my spare time.