That's one reason the Japanese are so successful in the auto industry, they would rather cooperate in manufacturing and compete on design. Another reason why you see them actually borrow vehicles across brand-lines, like when Isuzu provided Honda with Rodeos in return for minivans. Interestingly enough, while Isuzu was exiting the US they worked an agreement with Subaru to complete production on remaining vehicles here in the US before they took over the plants. That's why there a lot of late-model Isuzus, mostly Troopers and Rodeos, that say "Assembled by Subaru".

Could you imagine if the American auto industry followed a similar philosophy? They wouldn't be in the last leg of the toilet race!