Sentence Correction

[BTGmoderatorRO]

Despite offering significant discounts, Detroit automakers were losing U.S. market share to lower-cost rivals from Japan and South Korea, which are gaining ground even while offering smaller discounts.

A. Despite offering significant discounts, Detroit automakers were losing
B. Despite offering significant discounts, Detroit automakers are losing
C. Despite significant discounts, the Detroit automakers lost
D. Despite significant discounts, the Detroit automakers continuing to lose
E. The Detroit automakers, despite significant discounts, were losing

OA is B
What could be the best answer here? Could OA be correct? I need an Expert reply!

[Ali Tariq]

Despite offering significant discounts, Detroit automakers were losing U.S. market share to lower-cost rivals from Japan and South Korea, which are gaining ground even while offering smaller discounts.

A. Despite offering significant discounts, Detroit automakers were losing
B. Despite offering significant discounts, Detroit automakers are losing
C. Despite significant discounts, the Detroit automakers lost
D. Despite significant discounts, the Detroit automakers continuing to lose ( no verb here)
E. The Detroit automakers, despite significant discounts, were losing

OA is B
What could be the best answer here? Could OA be correct? I need an Expert reply!

Two events are simultaneous; Thus, stay in the same tense.

What is the source?
For the same kind of an issue in official material, have a look at the following SC from GMATPrep:

Visitors to the park have often looked up into the leafy canopy and saw monkeys sleeping on the branches, whose arms and legs hang like socks on
a clothesline.

(A) saw monkeys sleeping on the branches, whose arms and legs hang
(B) saw monkeys sleeping on the branches, whose arms and legs were hanging
(C) saw monkeys sleeping on the branches, with arms and legs hanging
(D) seen monkeys sleeping on the branches, with arms and legs hanging
(E) seen monkeys sleeping on the branches, whose arms and legs have hung
OA: D

Notice the difference between C and D.
Two events are simultaneous; Thus, stay in the same tense.

Citation of the source will be much appreciated.
Thank you.

[vinur]

Despite offering significant discounts, Detroit automakers were losing U.S. market share to lower-cost rivals from Japan and South Korea, which are gaining ground even while offering smaller discounts.

A. Despite offering significant discounts, Detroit automakers were losing
B. Despite offering significant discounts, Detroit automakers are losing
C. Despite significant discounts, the Detroit automakers lost
D. Despite significant discounts, the Detroit automakers continuing to lose ( no verb here)
E. The Detroit automakers, despite significant discounts, were losing

OA is B
What could be the best answer here? Could OA be correct? I need an Expert reply!

Two events are simultaneous; Thus, stay in the same tense.

What is the source?
For the same kind of an issue in official material, have a look at the following SC from GMATPrep:

Visitors to the park have often looked up into the leafy canopy and saw monkeys sleeping on the branches, whose arms and legs hang like socks on
a clothesline.

(A) saw monkeys sleeping on the branches, whose arms and legs hang
(B) saw monkeys sleeping on the branches, whose arms and legs were hanging
(C) saw monkeys sleeping on the branches, with arms and legs hanging
(D) seen monkeys sleeping on the branches, with arms and legs hanging
(E) seen monkeys sleeping on the branches, whose arms and legs have hung
OA: D

Notice the difference between C and D.
Two events are simultaneous; Thus, stay in the same tense.

Citation of the source will be much appreciated.
Thank you.

Hi Ali,

But isnt 'Despite followed by noun. In that case, one of C or D should be the answer?