Brenda Becker, a Toronto financial planner, has driven Chrysler cars most of her life. But as she ponders a replacement for her 2001 Sebring sedan, Ms Becker has no intention of buying another Detroit-built vehicle.

Concern that a Detroit carmaker, especially Chrysler or General Motors, might slip into bankruptcy “is right behind the fact that my North American car is falling to pieces faster than if I’d bought an offshore car”, Ms Becker says.