As I wrote in my book, The End of Detroit, Toyota quietly drafted a plan early last decade to capture 14 percent of the global auto market by 2010.

FORBES: Toyota Knows The Dangers That Volkswagen Faces In Trying To Rule The Car Market

The Center for Automotive Research estimates that nearly three million jobs would be lost nationally if there were a total collapse of the Detroit auto industry, in other words, the end of GM, Ford, and Chrysler.

NPR: Expert Examines Impact Of Big Three's Collapse

Perennial All-Stars Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves, Juan Gonzalez of the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indian Manny Ramirez all have contracts that expire at the end of the year.

FORBES: The $200 Million Man