71.   Even a small car stepped up with the big boys.

72.   Everywhere one turns there are brick walls perforated by artillery shells that cut holes the size of small cars.

73.   Even compared with other small cars, though, Japanese models tended to do poorly in crash tests and in real accidents.

74.   Falling gasoline prices have removed what little financial incentive remained for cash-strapped young buyers to choose a no-frills small car instead of a bigger, older model.

75.   Fiat has long been known in Europe for practical small cars, such as the Punto and the Uno before it.

76.   Fiat is widely expected to vote the GM stock to support current management in any disputes because Fiat and GM are developing small cars together.

77.   Fiat executives said the companies expected that the next generation of GM and Fiat small cars would share a single platform by about the middle of the decade.

78.   Fiat is better known for practical small cars and for sporty luxury cars sold under its Alfa Romeo and Lancia brands.

79.   For now, Toyota is forging ties in China through Chinese automaker Tianjin Automobile Industry Corp., which produces small cars under license from Toyota affiliate Daihatsu Motor Co.

80.   For one thing, the domestic Japanese manufacturers are extremely strong in the small car market.