Posted on 01/10/2008 2:14:32 PM PST by WesternCulture
* Sweden has approx 455 passenger cars per 1,000 population
* Britain has approx. 445 passenger cars per 1,000 population
* The U.S. has over 835 passenger per 1,000 population.
Automobile sales measured in absolute numbers tells nothing of national wealth. Indeed, the Swedish preference for more expensive autos, with a substantially lower per capita consumption that in the U.S., indicates greater social distinctions more than more general wealth.
- That’s what I’d call a real car!
“I think I’ll drive it a lot this spring and summer just to p*ss Algore off.”
- That’s what I’d call exercising your rights!
Greetings from Gothenburg, Sweden!
ping
Thanks for posting!
Obviously, an average American own more cars than an average Briton or Swede.
“My philosophy on cars is to let some other poor slob buy the car new, break it in for me and take it in the shorts on the depreciation.”
- Way to go!
There’s a point in what you say, but I can assure you Malmö is nowhere near East LA.
“My point is that I think you are overlooking the fact that a car buyer here can get every bell and whistle available and put it into a “standard” car, and make it quite luxurious.
- I’d say European car buyers are just as crazy about gadgets as their American counterparts.
“Also, a bare bones BMW isn’t much more than the little logo on the hood.”
- With all due respect, that’s exactly where you’re wrong. Cars like SAABs and BMWs are superior to most other cars in the same price range in the area of handling and overall road performance. Volvos and Audis can compete. Cars like
Toyota Camry and other Korean/Japanese insults to automotive engineering can not.
All we’ve driven for the past 20 years are SAABS. Currently we have a 9-5 wagon, a 9-3 ‘vert’, and an ancient 900T. Been the best cars we’ve ever had.
Waaaaaaay back we had Fords, Mercuries, International’s, Chevy’s, Pontiacs, Oldsmobiles, and Chryslers.
We’ll stick with our SAAB’s.
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Actually the 9-5 and the 9-3 are Pontiac G6’s with a different name badge.
“Another note - it’s interesting also that Japanese nameplates are nonexistent in the Brit and Swede top ten.”
- Yes, this is interesting.
In Sweden as well as in many other European countries, Japanese cars are today less popular than they were 5 or 10 years ago.
On many levels, Japanese exporting efforts have failed over here in Europe.
I see Viking sails appearing across the horizon from which the rising eastern sun emerges...
Reporting in from SW Ohio ... we have a ‘06 Range Rover Sport and a ‘85 Mercedes 300D (D for diesel) ... go figure.
“Actually the 9-5 and the 9-3 are Pontiac G6’s with a different name badge.”
- Some would say the difference is:
1. All the technology and equipment Pontiac G6 and SAABs DO NOT have in common
2. The plants where 9-5’s/9-3’s and Pontiac G6’s are assembled
The best cars to use to make an apples/apples comparison would be the Ford/Mazda/Volvo/Jag/Land Rover group as the platforms are used around the world with only trim changes ...
Ford Taurus = some high-line Volvo
Mazda 6 = Ford Fusion = Lincoln Mk Z
Ford Contour = Jaguar “X” type
our “standard” Taurus would be a “luxury” volvo even though they’re the same car..
I drive an Infiniti to work and stuff but my other car is a Flying Saucer. It’s really keen and in folds up when I land into a thing that looks like a briefcase or backpack, depending on if I am on business or wandering around Hippie Town.
Plus, it glows in the dark.
“I don’t really know, but I suspect that Euro govts. handicap the Jap imports somehow.”
- We Europeans have discovered that our products are SO welcome on Japanese soil.
I drive three American vehicles and all three have V8s with a total HP around 850.
We have an F450, an F350 (both diesels) and a Mustang GT.
You built upon greatness. Thanks WC!
“Reporting in from SW Ohio ... we have a ‘06 Range Rover Sport and a ‘85 Mercedes 300D (D for diesel) ... go figure.”
- What do you use the Mercedes for?
“I drive three American vehicles and all three have V8s with a total HP around 850.”
- I own only five cylinders all in all, 200 HP, one vehicle (a Volvo V70). But that’s actually enough for enjoying an excellent European freeway/Autobahn like the one between Nuremberg and Munich, Germany.
If you know how to drive that is.
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