Why has there not been a new successful new American auto manufacturing firm formed in over 80 years?

Answer 1

There Have.

They have all been small specialty manufacturers.

Cobra was legally and actually a manufacturer of cars and successful.

But I think you mean to compete with the big threeThe short answer is that to be successful at building cars for the general public you have to build and sell enough cars that you get to the point where the economies of scale start to work so that your products are priced competitively.

For example: A cheap American car: Dodge Caliber. Base model about $12,000. ish dealer cost.

If you are Joe's car builders producing a couple hundred a year: $120,000 dealer cost.

Answer 2

There Have.

They have all been small specialty manufacturers.

Cobra was legally and actually a manufacturer of cars and successful.

But I think you mean to compete with the big threeThe short answer is that to be successful at building cars for the general public you have to build and sell enough cars that you get to the point where the economies of scale start to work so that your products are priced competitively.

For example: A cheap American car: Dodge Caliber. Base model about $12,000. ish dealer cost.

If you are Joe's car builders producing a couple hundred a year: $120,000 dealer cost.