Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site varian.UUCP 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.