Quote:
Originally Posted by jamesqf
But that's the implication of saying "Americans want big cars", that the whole US market wants them, when in fact only a fraction do. I'll even argue that the fraction that really wants big is smaller than that which buys big, because some of them are buying for other reasons, such as the SUV having been the automotive equivalent of the hula hoop.
Nor is the "want a big car" segment confined to the US. When I lived in Europe, there were a goodly number of big cars on the roads - even saw a couple of Hummers, though most were things like Land Rovers, or Rolls, Bentleys, and big BMWs.
"Size is why Citroen and Fiat aren't here now. . .their cars would not survive the perceived safety factor against getting hit with a semi or an SUV."
You really think so? Then why are for instance VW, Honda, Toyota, and the rest still here, and doing better than the US automakers? Their cars were as small as the Citroens (which unless you count the old 2CV, aren't all that small) or Fiats, if not smaller. I think the departure of Fiat might have more to do with its "Fix It Again, Tony" reputation, while Citroen is, of course, French.
You mentioned the Smart: well, isn't that a case in point? If Americans really wanted big cars, the Smart wouldn't sell here, would it? (It's not exactly cheap, you know.) Nor would the Honda Fit, the BMW Mini, the Mazda Miata...
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I just have 2 questions. Where in Europe did you live? and which Citroens are larger than an American car?
The reason I ask the first is not because I doubt it at all, I'm just curious because I spent a few weeks over there in 2006 and saw. . .1 SUV(something we would call an SUV it was a Rover) in 3 weeks(during said same time period I saw 2 Murcielagos, a Gallardo and an Enzo so its not like I wasn't watching).
The reason I ask the second is because the citroen cars are all like the mini(the original) and the only cars that were heavily produced/used in the US was the beetle that compared to it in size.
It may be a Hula-Hoop. . .I honestly couldn't tell you so I have to change my argument to Americans buy big cars.
I know Europe has seen an influx of models that are larger than the old school of thought but they are around the size of a 2dr civic, not a Pontiac GrandAm, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord or a slew of others. Yes most of those cars were released in Europe and yes their bodies are slightly narrower and not as long. I have a friend with a Euro Del Sol and its 2 inches less in length and 3 inches narrower(across headlights across pillars where roof splits across rear wheels, from headlights to taillights from apex of grill to tow hook)