The US Auto Industry in a Nutshell

[jsteele]

Its been pretty common to reduce the problems facing the US auto industry down to one factor: the cars they make suck. As far as the cars available in North America are concerned, its hard to argue with that proposition. However, its not the case world-wide. Indeed, GM-owned Vauxhall and Holdens are fairly good cars. I've always wondered why GM doesn't either import them or make them here so that we could buy them (some Holdens are being imported as Pontiacs). But, the most egregious example of this has got to be Ford. Ford routinely manufactures European and American versions of the same car -- or at least having the same name -- which are completely different. A Ford Focus in Europe has always been a pretty good car. The Ford Ka is the smarter smart car (or even more mini MINI). But, when I watched this week's episode of Top Gear -- the best car show ever -- I was especially depressed. Watch this review of the Ford Fiesta and then try to argue that Ford can't make a good car. Then wonder why a company that can make that kind of car is in financial trouble. The answer, of course. Its not available in America.

I should edit to add, if you are expecting Top Gear to do a traditional run of the mill car review, you will be disappointed. Top Gear is almost more of an entertainment than auto show, so reviewing a car by driving it through a shopping mall while being chased by a corvette is pretty standard for them. The beach landing with the Royal Marines was, on the other hand, unusual.

[Anonymous]

That was awesome. Ford should not only make that car available here, but use that video, or at least the mall chase and beach landing scenes, as the commercial.

[Anonymous]

The Saturn Aura is an Opel in disguise too. We had a Ford Mondeo (similar to a Contour) and an Opel sedan (forget model) while living in Europe and they acted much the same as my Lexus - quiet closing doors, comfortable ride, trouble free while we had them.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:The Saturn Aura is an Opel in disguise too. We had a Ford Mondeo (similar to a Contour) and an Opel sedan (forget model) while living in Europe and they acted much the same as my Lexus - quiet closing doors, comfortable ride, trouble free while we had them.

In addition to the Aura, the Saturn Astra is a rebadged Opel. Even the Sky, while built in the US, is the same as an Opel GT and designed by a Vauxhall designer. It might be too little, too late to save Saturn. But, I'm just baffled about how the US manufacturers could repeatedly produce good cars for Europe, while dropping the ball in the US.