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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!zehntel!varian!fred
From: fred@varian.UUCP (Fred Klink)
Newsgroups: net.auto,net.consumers
Subject: Re: cars in Europe
Message-ID: <267@varian.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 10-Dec-84 13:23:08 EST
Article-I.D.: varian.267
Posted: Mon Dec 10 13:23:08 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 12-Dec-84 03:49:52 EST
References: <133@ur-cvsvax.UUCP>, <151@gcc-opus.ARPA> <719@watdcsu.UUCP>
Organization: Varian, Walnut Creek, CA
Lines: 34
Xref: watmath net.auto:5164 net.consumers:1552


	The auto business is just that-- a business.  One does not
	go into a market for fun or because one wants to provide
	a few enthusiasts with performance cars (at least this is
	true for the major auto companies).  Up until recently (about
	1981), the American market was econobox oriented in their
	selection of cars.  Before that, it was big cars, big engines
	and mushy suspensions.  There was no market-place, outside
	of us "car-cognescenti", for the majority of European cars.

	Now, the buyers wants have changed, and, much to their credit,
	the US manufacturers have responded.  You need only look to 
	the Pontiac Fiero, the Chevy Camaro or the Dodge Daytona Turbo
	to find reasonably priced, well-made performance cars.  Even
	the traditional American cars have adopted a European flair,
	e.g. the LTD, of all things, comes with gas-charged shocks,
	fuel injection and a five speed.  Also, the European Ford Sierra
	will be available in this country from Mecury dealers as the
	Merkur XR-4i.  This is a highly successful sport -sedan in Europe.
	Thus, I think this myth that elsewhere in the world there are
	wonderful performing, much better made cars than we are able
	to obtain is, for the under $30K buyer, pure fantasy.
	(Incidentally, Ford in Germany is a wholly owned subsidiary of FoMoCo,
	has in the past brought us the Capri and last year was the best
	selling car company in England.)

	It has been the alledged car enthusiasts standard harange for years
	now to complain about the pollution controls on American cars
	and long for the "freedom" European drivers enjoy. While this may
	have been an issue a few years ago, American manufacturers are
	now producing performance cars with pollution controls that are
	the envy of the Europeans since the governments of Europe are
	now starting to impose the same requriements that we have-- yes,
	even unleaded gasoline.