Passage Summary: North American cars are now as good as Japanese ones, but they still don't sell in Japan; the author suggests this is because the steering wheels are on the wrong side for Japanese roads.

Conclusion: Producing cars with right-side steering wheels will help North American manufacturers reduce the automotive trade imbalance with Japan.

Reasoning: Quality is no longer the issue, and since the Japanese drive on the left, the current left-side steering wheel configuration is a likely deterrent.

Analysis: For this Necessary Assumption question, we need to find the missing link between the physical car design and consumer behavior. The author assumes that the steering wheel placement is a significant factor—or at least one factor—preventing Japanese consumers from buying these cars. If it turned out that Japanese buyers didn't mind the steering wheel side, the author's suggestion wouldn't actually help reduce the imbalance. Look for an answer that confirms the steering wheel position is a genuine hurdle for potential buyers.