But Honda will not take its cue from larger Detroit rivals, which customarily idle workers for a week or more.

The Accord and Civic sedans are selling well in the United States, with only minimal incentive marketing compared with its Detroit rivals, and the Odyssey minivan remains popular.

For 1979, Mercury joined its Detroit rivals in downsizing its largest models.

Japanese car producers may have peaked in their efforts in North America, where they have been forced to raise prices and as a result have lost market share to their Detroit rivals.

The 70's were not kind to Ford or its Detroit rivals, but in the 80's Ford managed another financial turnaround, thanks in part to its influential, popular Taurus.

The Lexus division of Toyota caused a stir here with its LF-A, a high-performance concept sports car that is every bit as striking as its muscular Detroit rivals.

But the Southeast's reliance on military spending, which is increasing, and on foreign car manufacturers, which are faring far better than their Detroit rivals, has made up for some of the job loss elsewhere.

And that decline occurred despite a price war that increased industry sales as Detroit far outspent rivals on rebates and cut-rate financing deals.

But even on such large projects, Chrysler must keep a tighter grip on its purse than its bigger Detroit rivals.

That includes its Detroit rivals as well as Honda, Nissan, Hyundai and especially Toyota, which is battling Chrysler for third place in the American market.