does it really matter? america hasnt really released a car that impresses me that is ment to be a good buy such as the cobalt, focus, etc. if they did "copy" the japanese design they did a shitty job. i doubt any japanese manufacturer would copy a u.s design other than for like trucks and shit like that. because lets face it, the japanese think all americans are redneck hicks that are truck driving, mud loving idiots