IMO, the American car makers in general blew it, in the early-mid 70's. I happily bought a Plymouth Duster in '72, but by '76 (kept the Duster for only 4 years; times goes by more slowly when young!) looked at only Toyotas & Datsuns as possibilities for my next car. (I don't think Honda was really in the picture yet, at that point? When did the Civic arrive?) I had no desire whatsoever to even consider another American car by 1976. IMO, they'd seen the writing on the wall, but had done nothing about it.
Cathy