And speaking of things that go, the U.S. auto industry may in fact offer President Obama the only dependable port in a re-gathering economic storm when car makers post their August sales results early next week: Prognosticators believe the sales snapshot will show an auto industry that is still strongly on track toward its third consecutive year of double-digit sales gains.

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That can be a problem when a creditor defaults, as with Delphi and other auto parts makers earlier this year.

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When you add China into the mix, U.S. auto makers will benefit from demand there, too.

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Most auto makers, including Maruti, recorded higher sales of diesel cars and utility vehicles in February when overall sales fell.

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But when the global financial crisis struck in 2008, Mr. Sarkozy relied on debt to support banks and auto makers and to preserve the country's generous social-welfare system.

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