Historically small prestige car makers have been bought out by major manufacturers, which has given these small makers the resoruces they need. But WI instead small carmakers aligned together, perhaps making national prestige corporations. For example Jaguar could align with Rolls Royce, Lotus and Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo with Ferrari and Maserati and Lancia with Lamborghini and so on.
If this happened maybe these small companies wouldn't be seen as mere commodities to be bought and sold by blundering major manufacturers and could keep up their reputations as prestige carmakers.