Very true.
After I posted, I was thinking. If japanese/Korean/Taiwanese cars of today can't become classics in the conventional sense, does that mean there will be very very "new" classics arround in 100 years time to compete with the 150year old Austin Rubies, and the 120year old MGBs, etc, etc? some older cars will still make classic status whatever their origins, and it won't necessarily be BMW, Merc, Jaguar or Rolls-Royce in later years.
BTW, i'm a Saab and Skoda nut myself, and I'm pretty sure that the 80's and earlier models of both that survive will be well on the way to full classic status, they have obsessive followings so strong that they won't be allowed to die. Can't see why a Honda with Variable Valve timing and a 2.something engine can't be anymore of a classic than an Alfa Romeo from the same period with a 2.something engine and variable valve timeing. but then when has common sense had anything to do with why cars are classics.