The Year in Preview

The question in the auto industry is: When will the good times end? Barring an unexpected economic setback, sales should be in the 15-million range for the fourth consecutive year. Competition is heating up in key segments, such as sport-utility vehicles, squeezing profits. But consumers should benefit from lower prices and incentives. The Big Three could lose market share to foreign rivals--the Japanese are benefiting from a weak yen and the Europeans from attractive new models.