Retiree health care alone cost the Big 3 automakers nearly $6.7 billion just last year.

Now, the biggest Japanese automaker is ready for an ambitious second try.

He lived there for nearly 25 years and at one point found himself working for each of the big three automakers.

As it stands right now, virtually every big international automaker is building vehicles in China.

"We're in touch with the big automakers several times a day just to confirm that there are no delays," he said.

Most big automakers say they plan to offer some full hybrids along with many minihybrids.

DaimlerChrysler is the only one of the big three domestic automakers to have gained market share this year.

Iran was the world's 12th biggest automaker in 2010 and operates a fleet of 11.5 million cars.

Global consolidation means big automakers now consider a million units as a starting point for mainstream models.

In 2011, Suzuki was the tenth biggest automaker by production worldwide.