What were the 3 most profitable car companies in the world in 2003 and
2000 in US$ when measured in (a) profit per car sold (2) total profit?  

I bet somebody that BMW is.  Is there any sense in which it is?

BMW is a privately owned company
- as such it can retain profits and reserves

It is probably better adapted to meet a downturn than most manufacturers

Fred,
BMW is not privately owned (the stock is quoted), but it is closely
held by the Quandt family, so to some extent it can take a longer view
and not bow to broad market expectations of dividends and shareholder
value.
Myoarin  (just back from four days sniffling and sneezing in London)

@MyOarin

Interesting, I did not realize BMW is quoted
- I remember chuckling when towards the end of the 'English Patient'
period, commentators were suggesting that the Quandts might sell up.

It would be interesting to see whether they really lost out on that exercize.

Avoid London in Winter - cold, wet and miserable.