'like an import'?

[Exploder]

Do you think you'll get irked at people giving praise to a good American car describing it as 'like an import'? or 'very Euro' etc? Does it give you this vibe?

[OLDSCHOOLGMFAN]

YES! I plum HATE that crap! An American car CAN be good without being like no import!

[powervette]

blame American car manufacturers, they are mainly the ones who use slogans 'European handling', 'European door handles' (it was used in previous Generation Malibu ad); 'European design' 'European build quality' etc. If I had power, I would lay off all those silly people who are responsible for this kind of cheap marketing ideas.

[yyz_ltz]

Originally Posted by Exploder

Do you think you'll get irked at people giving praise to a good American car describing it as 'like an import'? or 'very Euro' etc? Does it give you this vibe?

That's the reason I never liked Saturn. It was obvious they were trying to build a brand that was styled and badged like an import (Plain, bland and not very handsome). I love the North American styled vehicles. And what is with all these so-called GM fans saying Chevy needs to get rid of the "Bowtie". Sacrilege I say!!!!!!!!!

[BlackGTP]

Well the problem is that all the car magazines, newspapers, etc over the years told us that we don't like the soft riding, comfortable cars that American cars tended to be and that everyone did like the harsher riding euro cars. Then everyone started believing it.

[bradyholt]

Originally Posted by BlackGTP

Well the problem is that all the car magazines, newspapers, etc over the years told us that we don't like the soft riding, comfortable cars that American cars tended to be and that everyone did like the harsher riding euro cars. Then everyone started believing it.

Except everyone who makes the Camry the best-selling car in the country.

Virtually every mainstream American car is in either the Japanese or European vein, except for styling differences. There are a couple of holdouts -- the Lucerne/DTS and Grand Marquis/Town Car, but Americans don't buy those either. Those who want the experience of an oversize extra-comfy vehicle today buy trucks, not cars.

And just as the passenger-car market has rejected "American-like" cars, it has also rejected import-like trucks. Anything remotely successful must be big, comfortable, and powerful.

[cdp326]

Originally Posted by Exploder

Do you think you'll get irked at people giving praise to a good American car describing it as 'like an import'? or 'very Euro' etc? Does it give you this vibe?

I've already been a little irked by it.

What defines "import" or "Euro" traits or cues? There aren't any single ones that say this IMHO and so many manufacturers have design studios in different parts of the world, and no two manufacturers from an area really do things quite the same, either.

Like powervette mentioned, American manufacturers have pushed "Euro styling cues" before; in the 1980s putting body-color/blackout trim was an example of this.

+ YouTube Video

[F14CRAZY]

I hate that crap too.

Consider though, wasn't the Camry's goal to copy the "average American sedan" and closely as possible?

[2648562]

I don't know, but I like the link you provided. It very timely for me, as apparently I can't say the right thing. I would say more, but someday that will come back to haunt me too.

[Mustapha Mond]

Nearly twenty years ago I was miffed by Oldsmobile attaching the name "International Edition" to an upmarket version of their new FWD Cutlass. Not only wasn't it very international but it was downright embarrassing. It was nothing more than fancy trim stuck on a bad design to begin with. Europeans, used to smaller lighter cars would have laughed themselves silly.

Still, trying to give their cars a foreign flavour must have made sense to the marketing team at the time. GM was already being humiliated by better designs and decreasing sales of its products for years. Now that the rest of the world has said enough with the schlock already, perhaps our domestic automakers can again begin to define a standard of N. American excellence in their products. What a switch it would be to see an Asian or European manufacturer aping an American design again.
-Elliott

[bradyholt]

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

I hate that crap too.

Consider though, wasn't the Camry's goal to copy the "average American sedan" and closely as possible?

Nope, but there have certainly been American sedans that have tried to copy the Camry.

[Astra RL]

That does really bug me, but the Euro push of the 80s and 90s meant that they felt they weren't as good.

Honestly, if they thought that blacked out trim meant European, they were very very lost. They dug their own grave, and didn't try to get out until the past 5 or so years. The results are finally showing, however the change will not be instant.

[OLDSCHOOLGMFAN]

So now the Camry is a sport sedan................

[OLDSCHOOLGMFAN]

Originally Posted by BlackGTP

Well the problem is that all the car magazines, newspapers, etc over the years told us that we don't like the soft riding, comfortable cars that American cars tended to be and that everyone did like the harsher riding euro cars. Then everyone started believing it.

I plum agree.


Somebody asked to describe import qualities. I'll try:

Small size.
Light weight.
Good handling.
Small, high-revving/poor torque engines.
Emphasizing road feel over passenger comfort.
Quiet styling.
Manual shift.

Does that describe the '09 Camry & Accord?

[F14CRAZY]

Originally Posted by OLDSCHOOLGMFAN

I plum agree.


Somebody asked to describe import qualities. I'll try:

Small size.
Light weight.
Good handling.
Small, high-revving/poor torque engines.
Emphasizing road feel over passenger comfort.
Quiet styling.
Manual shift.

Does that describe the '09 Camry & Accord?

don't forget very poor corrosion resistance