WASHINGTON: US car giants General Motors and Chrysler might be sputtering through bankruptcy, but one of the most iconic American-made cars is refusing to be backed down the cul de sac of oblivion.

It's the car that Americans like Frank Anastasi have packed the family or entire Little League baseball team into for decades and headed to the beach, the hills, to Grandma's house or a distant away game.

It's the station wagon.