I have pretty good open-mind credentials on this, because my most recent purchase was an F-150. I dug around and it was a pretty clear winner. Things can always take an ugly turn, but so far, it appears to be one hell of a machine. It's a low mileage '96, but it's still a Ford.
With that said, you can lament the public's attitude toward US manufacturers, but whose fault is that? I cannot speak to the whole market, but they produced some real junk 20+ years ago, and like it or not, it takes a long time for the collective memory to get past it. I can still remember the Buick that fell apart on me, and the company's terrible attitude about it. Now you have people not much older than me with kids leaving for college; what guidance do you think they provide? More to the point, what are they going to buy, as it is probably their money, not Junior's?
It is damn hard to win over a customer; it is very easy to send them elsewhere, and while it was a long time ago, the US manufacturers did some really stupid stuff. The price has been high, but that's how it works. They knew that, or should have known it, when they were mis-behaving. The piper is still collecting royalties.
If it helps any, I have noted that Nissan's attitude toward my 18 year old Sentra has been less than stellar. Sure they don't make money on me, but one would hope they would see it as badge of honor and at least bag the hostility. In fairness, I think it is mostly a dealer (which I visit only when there is no other choice) taken over by poor management. However, I also noted a few years ago that Nissan was worst of class in SUVs or something. Nissan might be in the throws of the same mistakes that Buick and others made decades ago???
Bill