Companies with brands that delivered distinctive benefits generated total shareholder return, relative to their industries, that was 9.5 points higher than brands that were weak in delivering distinctive benefits.

FORBES: Believers Vs. Non-Believers: Convincing Internal Partners That Marketing Can Help Drive Business Results

At the same time government procurement, which is the mainstay of imported brands, has been weak.

ECONOMIST: Russian computers

Brands, the owner of KFC and Taco Bell, has also reported a weak consumer.

FORBES: McDonald's: Stale Growth Means A Future That You Won't Love

From FedEx to Nike and Yum Brands, even Starbucks and Coca-Cola, several major global companies have delivered weak earnings and partially attributed them to the global economic malaise.

FORBES: Visa Nearly Doubles Profit As Volume Grows, Shares Rise On $1.5B Buyback Announcement

Limited Brands reported steady Q4 fiscal 2012 results driven by good brand performance, partially offset by a weak holiday season.

FORBES: Quick Take

The solution, says Press, is to pare back the three brands' lineups by eliminating copycat vehicles, while adding new models in market segments where Chrysler currently is weak.

FORBES: Chrysler: Dealers' Turn For Pain