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From: stank@uiucdcsp.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: cars in Europe
Message-ID: <4000002@uiucdcsp.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 15-Dec-84 00:27:00 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcsp.4000002
Posted: Sat Dec 15 00:27:00 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 4-Dec-84 05:35:54 EST
References: <133@ur-cvsva.UUCP>
Lines: 30
Nf-ID: #R:ur-cvsva:-13300:uiucdcsp:4000002:000:1664
Nf-From: uiucdcsp!stank    Dec  1 23:27:00 1984

<>
Mercedes doesn't have a good image in Europe??? Check out what car a Belgian
or Dutchman buys once he makes a lot of money. Yep, that's right, a Mercedes.
Granted the lower level models (not sold here) are less appreciated, but
the models sold here have as much prestige in at least those two countries
as they have here.  

I don't claim that the same is true in any other country-- indeed, maybe
this isn't the case in Germany.  However, it sure is in the low countries.
I base my comments on several years experience living and working in both
Holland and Belgium.

By the way, the Citroen referred to is popularly called the 'two horses'
(in French naturally).  This name apprently comes from the fact that its engine
has two cylinders. I've never known anyone who drove one of them who wouldn't
give it up in a second for almost any other car... well, maybe not a Lada.

                                                Stanley Krolikoski
                                                ..!pur-ee!uiucdcs!stank

Oh yes, a short tale. A Belgian lawyer friend of mine (neighbor of mine when
I lived in Belgium, actually) started making some money at this trade and
wished to get a prestige car. He couldn't afford a Mercedes, so he got...
a Chevy Citation-- freshing imported from the good old U.S. of A. This is,
I suspect, not all that uncommon.  Several Belgian newspapers (De Standaard
and Het Nieuwsblad for two) regularly carry ads from companies which make
a nice living importing American "luxury" cars at a steep markup. Looks like
a case of the grass always being greener... The note which prompted this
response also seems to fit in this catagory.