I'm a "boomer" and clearly remember the U.S. automotive issues from the '70's.
Late '70's Ford Mustangs would begin rusting within a couple years (OhioFag here with salted roads in the winter). Once word got out about "Shitty Japanese metal", all 3 manufacturers took a serious branding hit.
By no coincidence, it was the same time Honda, Toyota and another Japanese mfg started getting a better reputation for quality and reliability.
It was around this time that US mfg's starting importing steel, too.
There are no coincidences. The wily Asians began (pun intended) eroding our products (electronics, too) from "within".