Posted on 01/10/2008 2:14:32 PM PST by WesternCulture
It might not come as a surprise to learn that the cars Britons own are smaller than the cars Americans drive or that Swedes favour safe, politically correct SAAB's and Volvo's.
But there's more to be said.
To begin with:
WHO'S RICH, WHO'S NOT?
- Swedes claim they enjoy the highest standard of living in the world and they also say poverty, in absolute terms, is extinct in their country. The income distribution is known for being extremely even.
If this really is true, how is it reflected in Swedish car consumption?
Furthermore, for the first time since the 19th century, Britons are now richer than Americans according to recent (nominal GDP/capita) statistics. Is this mirrored by British car sales?
Let's have a look at the 10 best selling cars in these three countries and classify each of them as either an "Economy", a "Standard", a "Premium" or a "Luxury" vehicle.
Quite arbitrarily, I decided on this categorization:
$0-15 000 = Economy, $15-25 000 = Standard, $25 000-35 000 = Premium, $35 000 and above = Luxury
(Some cars sold in Europe are not marketed in the US, but I've used the VW Rabbit/Golf, a car sold on both continents which just makes it into the "standard" category in the US, as a reference and checked how cars like the Vauxhall/Opel Astra are priced in the UK and Sweden compared to the Rabbit)
Top 10 best selling cars in Britain 2007:
1. Ford Focus (Economy), 2. Vauxhall Astra (Economy), 3. Ford Fiesta (Economy), 4. Vauxhall Corsa (Economy), 5. Volkswagen Golf (Standard), 6. Peugeot 207 (Economy), 7. BMW 3-Series (Premium), 8. Renault Megane (Standard), 9. Renault Clio (Economy), 10. Vauxhall Vectra (Standard)
Top 10 best selling cars in USA 2007:
1. Ford F-Series (Standard), 2. Chevrolet Silverado (Standard), 3. Toyota Camry (Standard), 4. Honda Accord (Standard), 5. Toyota Corolla/Matrix (Economy), 6. Honda Civic (Economy), 7. Chevrolet Impala (Standard), 8. Nissan Altima (Standard), 9. Dodge Ram (Standard), 10. Honda CR-V (Standard),
Top 10 best selling cars in Sweden 2007
1 Volvo V70 (Luxury) 2 SAAB 9−3 (Premium) 3 Volvo V50 (Premium) 4 SAAB 9−5 (Luxury) 5 VW Golf (Standard) 6 Ford Focus (Economy) 7 VW Passat (Standard) 8 Peugeot 307 (Standard) 9 Opel Astra (Economy) 10 Audi A4 (Premium)
Judging by these figures, Brits are poor, Swedes are rich and Americans are somewhere inbetween. But although it's difficult to deny that Britons drive less impressive vehicles than Swedes and Americans, it's not that easy when it comes to comparing Swedes and Americans. Americans go for large cars/trucks that consume a lot of gas. Swedes can afford expensive cars, but one could also argue that they can't afford real gas-guzzlers. If big is better, you'd be better off in the US than in Sweden.
But there is one circumstance that is even more striking. According to the statistics above, income is in fact MORE evenly distributed in the US than in "Socialist" Britain. The wide differences in what cars people drive suggests that the country with the least even distribution of income is, in fact, "Ultra-Socialist" Sweden! According to the list above, 1 out of 5 Swedes are poor (and the the vast, well-off Swedish middle class can't afford gas).
Next topic:
NATIONALISM?
Britons are said to loathe and despise everything French. This might be the case, with two big exceptions: Peugeots and Renaults. In Britain, they are viewed as well designed, priceworthy and reliable.
Internationally, Americans are often thought of as very patriotic and not seldom isolationist. However, that doesn't stop them from supporting foreign car manufacturers. 6 of the 10 best selling cars in the US are Japanese products.
Swedes often shake their heads in bewilderment when they are confronted with the ways in which other nations celebrate themselves. But Swedes are actually more patriotic in the field of car consumption than many other people. The four best selling cars in Sweden all have very strong national ties (although Volvo Cars today is owned by Ford and SAAB Automotive is a part of GM).
Finally:
WHO DARES TO BE DIFFERENT?
In Britain, there's a certain type of individual that everyone hates; the snob. He is either a polo-playing, upper class, inbred, stiff upper lip, retarded aristocrat or an arrogant, rich, successful, self made man. In both cases he drives a BMW. At least by today he does. Jaguars etc are a thing of the past. Despite the fact that millions of Brits daily vent their spleen upon these reprehensible individuals, they just won't go away. In fact, if the trend continues, BMW will one day be the best selling car in Britain!
The United States of America, they say, is the stronghold of individualism and freedom of choice. That might be the case in many areas, but few Americans choose cars that really stand out in a crowd according to statistics. Either they go for a Japanese mainstream car, or an American one.
Swedes pride themselves with being the most environmentally concerned of all Europeans, yet they drive the most polluting cars throughout the continent. A Volvo V70 might not consume gas in amounts anywhere near a Silverado, but compared to the cars Britons drive it is an environmental villain.
In conclusion, the cars we drive don't tell everything about us, but to some extent they might reveal unexpected aspects of our (national) mentalities and lifestyles.
* 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.
*********************************************
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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