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Except opinion that american cars are bigger, there is also question of security.
Many regulations in Europe demands more security gear in cars, so I would say that european cars are way more safer than american.
The bad side of extra security, if we can called that way, is that the same car in Europe cost more than the same car in Usa.
Absolutely true... for instance, a new Volvo S80 costs around 300 000 Kronor in Sweden - but that does not automatically mean it's loaded with equipment, such as automatic transmission, servo, etc. However, in the US. everything seems to be standard, and it costs around half the ammoun in the US?
People love them, for sure. They love mostly the classics, Corvettes, Ford Mustang...
There's plenty of pickups, etc.
Problem here is space and gas, and most of all, service.
For example, Camaro is popular here but service is a problemm etc.
In fact, cities here should not have cars, no space, no parking space, most cities and towns have a medieval layout and gas keep going up.
Absolutely true... for instance, a new Volvo S80 costs around 300 000 Kronor in Sweden - but that does not automatically mean it's loaded with equipment, such as automatic transmission, servo, etc. However, in the US. everything seems to be standard, and it costs around half the ammoun in the US?
I've noticed this is a common theme in your posts. You think that corporate forces wield enormous amounts of power over the credulous American public, seemingly to the point of determining their decisions for them. This may be true in part, but Americans still have free will, and consumers more often dictate what they want to the corporations rather than the other way around. The American (and European) economies are based on the free market, after all. Let me provide you an example:
Let's say that I am the married father of three children, school-age, and looking for a vehicle. I want them to have ample room, even if they decide to bring a friend or two along. My oldest is also into youth hockey, and my middle daughter is beginning softball, and my wife is responsible for transporting food, beverages, and party favors to practices and events. I also have a motorized fishing boat, which I tow to various lakes. What am I going to choose? A Ford Escort (rated the UK's top family car)? Or a Chevy Suburban or Ford Expedition?
Ah! This is my point exactly! You're perceiving your choices as being limited to SUV's. Which really aren't that roomy, and certainly not as fuel efficient as the nice roomy vehicles families used to use before heavy trucks were advertised as family vehicles. Remember the mini-van? Those are still being sold to people with families, or people who need space to haul furniture, garden supplies, pets, and so forth. They're more comfortable (some come with individual seating, small tables, and overhead TV monitors) and use less fuel than a truck.
So this is the crux of the question: how did the auto industry manage to convince so many families (not all) that such a practical, comfortable, and spacious vehicle with a variety of interior arrangements and features was to be abandoned in favor of a vehicle that consumes more gas and actually has less interior space?
Ah! This is my point exactly! You're perceiving your choices as being limited to SUV's. Which really aren't that roomy, and certainly not as fuel efficient as the nice roomy vehicles families used to use before heavy trucks were advertised as family vehicles. Remember the mini-van? Those are still being sold to people with families, or people who need space to haul furniture, garden supplies, pets, and so forth. They're more comfortable (some come with individual seating, small tables, and overhead TV monitors) and use less fuel than a truck.
So this is the crux of the question: how did the auto industry manage to convince so many families (not all) that such a practical, comfortable, and spacious vehicle with a variety of interior arrangements and features was to be abandoned in favor of a vehicle that consumes more gas and actually has less interior space?
Some people are not favoring soccer mom mobiles as transportation:>) Personally I find them ugly! There is no need to eat or watch TV in a car. My father managed to raise two daughters (both 6 feet at 14) and the roomiest car ever was a Fiat 130 Coupe. Ski gear for four was no problem as you learned to pack. So I progressed to Chevy Sierra with mud tires after I could drive.
Before there was the minivan, there was the station wagon. Still roomy, able to carry a lot of kids as well as a lot of gear. As far as looks goes, I don't think any SUV's would win a beauty contest. The TV and other features were for long road trips to vacation destinations, to deal with the "MOM, are we THERE YET?" problem to keep kids entertained. They were an optional feature.
We still haven't answered the question of how or why, once a loophole in import tax regs had been created, suddenly the American public became convinced it suddenly needed trucks instead of the other options families had been happy with until then.
I know quite a few people here who are fans of old american muscle cars, pickups, jeeps. These are mostly hobby cars and not daily drivers. In Holland I see lots of cool classic american cars.
Plenty of SUVs but more euro models than american. Modern american cars are not so popular and seem to have a bad reputation.
I do not understand the comment that people in Europe don´t tow as much stuff- Boats, Horse trailers... are as much on the road as in the US - and we all know the dutch don´t go anywhere without the camping trailer :-). I cant say for the scandinavian countrys but this seems to apply for Germany, Netherlands, France Italy and Spain to a lesser extent.
To me American cars seem a bit silly here, with gas at 1.50 + for the liter. Nobody needs a pickup when you can use a Transit,Sprinter,Crafter.... thing for less $ and much better milage.
Bah in Canada well in Vancouver we pay about $1.40-$1.45 a liter for gas and 1/2-3/4 Ton Domestic (Ford, Chevy, Dodge) pick-up trucks are very popular here.
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