AtomicCEO Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I've recently gotten into the show "Top Gear" from the BBC, and I've been watching old episodes starting from 2002 and going forward. It's a really good show... funny and interesting, even if you're not a gearhead. What I'm finding interesting is: 1) There are a lot of really interesting cheap Eurpoean cars that never make it to the US... brands I've never heard of or that just don't make it overseas... Renault, Peugeot, Vauxhall/Opel... I'm probably missing some. Are any of these companies partnered with US automakers, and if so why don't we see any of the popular cars they are making? And if not... why don't US automakers try to do so rather than taking the next 5 years to try to make cars people want? 2) On that show, they repeatedly make reference to Ford cars being reliable and good . They put them in the same sentence as Honda and Toyota for durability and construction. It's weird. Are they just not tainted by the history of crappy Ford cars, or are the cars Ford makes in the UK actually better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I've recently gotten into the show "Top Gear" from the BBC, and I've been watching old episodes starting from 2002 and going forward. It's a really good show... funny and interesting, even if you're not a gearhead. What I'm finding interesting is: 1) There are a lot of really interesting cheap Eurpoean cars that never make it to the US... brands I've never heard of or that just don't make it overseas... Renault, Peugeot, Vauxhall/Opel... I'm probably missing some. Are any of these companies partnered with US automakers, and if so why don't we see any of the popular cars they are making? And if not... why don't US automakers try to do so rather than taking the next 5 years to try to make cars people want? A few of these partnered with US companies in the past. Renault partnered with AMC in the 1980s, and Saturn was making a version of the Opel around 2000. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicCEO Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 A few of these partnered with US companies in the past. Renault partnered with AMC in the 1980s, and Saturn was making a version of the Opel around 2000. Yeah, but they killed AMC and Saturn too. Saturn was supposed to be the GM answer to cheap reliable Japanese cars... and then GM stripped everything that was unique about them and made them another crappy brand until they ruined it. What we really need is a modern revamped AMC Eagle to take on Subaru. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh 0ne Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I remember when I lived in Europe in the early 90's Ford and Opel were partners, not sure if that partnership is still intact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westvirginia Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I've recently gotten into the show "Top Gear" from the BBC, and I've been watching old episodes starting from 2002 and going forward. It's a really good show... funny and interesting, even if you're not a gearhead. What I'm finding interesting is: 1) There are a lot of really interesting cheap Eurpoean cars that never make it to the US... brands I've never heard of or that just don't make it overseas... Renault, Peugeot, Vauxhall/Opel... I'm probably missing some. Are any of these companies partnered with US automakers, and if so why don't we see any of the popular cars they are making? And if not... why don't US automakers try to do so rather than taking the next 5 years to try to make cars people want? 2) On that show, they repeatedly make reference to Ford cars being reliable and good . They put them in the same sentence as Honda and Toyota for durability and construction. It's weird. Are they just not tainted by the history of crappy Ford cars, or are the cars Ford makes in the UK actually better? Admittedly I am a Ford fan, but Ford has made HUGH strides in quality in the last 20 or so years. The Fusion was actually ranked by CR above the Camry and equal to the Accord. Also note, Ford is the only one of the big three to actually not want bailout money, and not having the union problems. In spite of Dodge being much cheaper, Ford has also been the king of the truck hill for 30+ years. And Ford kinda saw the gas thing coming - they got rid of the Excursion in the mid/late 90's, and had Hybrids coming on board much more quickly than GM or Chrysler. Ford rescued Jaguar and has brought Mazda up to really be able to compete with Honda/Toyota. IIRC too, since the euros don't drive like we do, I don't think they have emissions/safety standards we do. But I got that from a couple gearheads in college, so take it FWIW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I've recently gotten into the show "Top Gear" from the BBC, and I've been watching old episodes starting from 2002 and going forward. It's a really good show... funny and interesting, even if you're not a gearhead. What I'm finding interesting is: 1) There are a lot of really interesting cheap Eurpoean cars that never make it to the US... brands I've never heard of or that just don't make it overseas... Renault, Peugeot, Vauxhall/Opel... I'm probably missing some. Are any of these companies partnered with US automakers, and if so why don't we see any of the popular cars they are making? And if not... why don't US automakers try to do so rather than taking the next 5 years to try to make cars people want? 2) On that show, they repeatedly make reference to Ford cars being reliable and good . They put them in the same sentence as Honda and Toyota for durability and construction. It's weird. Are they just not tainted by the history of crappy Ford cars, or are the cars Ford makes in the UK actually better? I've noticed consumer reports has kinda-sorta been singing ford's praises as far as reliability and quality the last few years as well. it's a tallest midget type distinction, but they seem to be the most reliable of the american makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaP'N GRuNGe Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Plus didn't Ford move some of it's operations to Mexico in the last few years? I'm sure that will help improve quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 He loved the Corvette ZR1 and he hates almost everything American. I prefer Jay Leno's garage and his expertise over Top Gear personally. He has the exact ZR1 I would kill for. I wish Leno would do a car show. He is a car nut and extremely knowledgable. This is a great website. Anyways, I think the fuel regulations and emissions make it impossible to sell some of these cars over here...particularly Commie California. We really need to tell California to wake the f up and stop being such enviropansies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaP'N GRuNGe Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 He loved the Corvette ZR1 and he hates almost everything American. I prefer Jay Leno's garage and his expertise over Top Gear personally. He has the exact ZR1 I would kill for. I wish Leno would do a car show. He is a car nut and extremely knowledgable. This is a great website. Anyways, I think the fuel regulations and emissions make it impossible to sell some of these cars over here...particularly Commie California. We really need to tell California to wake the f up and stop being such enviropansies. I would have thought those socialist hippies over in Europe would have tighter regulations than over here in the States. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 What we really need is a modern revamped AMC Eagle to take on Subaru. Or bring brack some Graemlins here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westvirginia Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I would have thought those socialist hippies over in Europe would have tighter regulations than over here in the States. They don't drive - they use public transportation. Germany is the only country in Europe with roads that really compare to our interstates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Like Soup Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 (edited) I've recently gotten into the show "Top Gear" from the BBC, and I've been watching old episodes starting from 2002 and going forward. It's a really good show... funny and interesting, even if you're not a gearhead. What I'm finding interesting is: 1) There are a lot of really interesting cheap Eurpoean cars that never make it to the US... brands I've never heard of or that just don't make it overseas... Renault, Peugeot, Vauxhall/Opel... I'm probably missing some. Are any of these companies partnered with US automakers, and if so why don't we see any of the popular cars they are making? And if not... why don't US automakers try to do so rather than taking the next 5 years to try to make cars people want? 2) On that show, they repeatedly make reference to Ford cars being reliable and good . They put them in the same sentence as Honda and Toyota for durability and construction. It's weird. Are they just not tainted by the history of crappy Ford cars, or are the cars Ford makes in the UK actually better? Welcome to the world outside of the US doouche. I would have thought those socialist hippies over in Europe would have tighter regulations than over here in the States. Actually, I believe they have a much stricter timeline as far as carbon emissions by manufacturers. They don't drive - they use public transportation. Germany is the only country in Europe with roads that really compare to our interstates. Our interstates were modeled after Germany's autobahns when Eisenhower saw them during WWII. Edited March 13, 2009 by I Like Soup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azazello1313 Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Only two good things have ever came out of Germany....the autobahn and the innate desire of beating the crap out of France and Poland as often as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaP'N GRuNGe Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Only two good things have ever came out of Germany....the autobahn and the innate desire of beating the crap out of France and Poland as often as possible. Uh oh, Scooby is going to have to kick your ass now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy Neutron Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 I believe Ford came in close to Toyota and Honda in overall quality in 2008. It may have come from Ford News Monthly, but I swear I heard it recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskey Pimp Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 Only two good things have ever came out of Germany....the autobahn and the innate desire of beating the crap out of France and Poland as often as possible. And Heidi Klum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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