What can be done about the $2,000 per car "cost disadvantage" to make American cars?

(as stated today by Former Governor Mitt Romney on 12/14/08 on Meet the Press)

Public Comments

1. give the workers national health care like they do in foreign companies and fire 3/4 of the fatcat do nothings that dont touch any piece of the car. dont blame the workers. any questions?
2. HAVE AMERICAN GO BACK TO BEING EASY TO WORK ON! Have the dealership offer guaranteed set prices for engine and transmission replacement. Like $3000 for a new engine with a 40,000 mile guarantee same with the transmission. If the rest of the car was easy to work on and I knew that I could get a fresh engine for say $3,000 then I might consider american cars again. I would buy a small car from the big three if they engineered it to be 5-10 inches in space bigger around all the things that need working on, like the engine and transmission. If all the major components of an engine were easy to get to and remove then I would consider an american car, because I would not have to take it to a mechanic, I could do it all myself. I am imagining something like a cavalier or escort that has an engine bay that is 5 or more inches bigger so that I can work on it. Quit making the car difficult to work on! This is so you have to take it to the dealership, I hate that!