I could never understand why car companies spend millions every year doing research into "concept cars" when they know damn well they're just going to build something bland that looks exactly like the bland thing they built last year that looks exactly like all the other bland things their competitors also built.

Oh well, one of many reason the american auto industry failed.

Not necessarily. I saw the Ford Probe, the Dodge Viper, the Plymouth Prowler, the Acura NSX and a few others as concept/prototypes continuing on to be production vehicles. Not to mention prototypes are hardly just an American auto maker exclusive idea.

The problems that affect/affected GM and Chrysler were really more long term money management issues and those are quite complex in their reasons and causes.