Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: Notesfiles $Revision: 1.6.2.17 $; site uiucdcsp.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!whuxlm!whuxl!houxm!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcsp!stank 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.