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Call me insane, but regardless of what Sweden's Market Court says, I'd prefer to survive an accident in a European made vehicle to dying in a Japanese car.

I fail to see how the Japanese car industry ever could constitute a severe threat to the quality car manufacturers of Europe.

Perhaps SAAB will go under, but I doubt Japan ever will be able to seriously challenge makes like Volvo, Mercedes Benz, Audi, Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin, BMW etc.

“I fail to see how the Japanese car industry ever could constitute a severe threat to the quality car manufacturers of Europe.”

I take it your bias has never let you drive a Japanese car. I have owned a number of vehicles and without question the Japs have excellent cars. The big difference is that the Japs don’t go around bragging about it and sticking their nose in the air. This goes for motorcycles as well.

Japan ever will be able to seriously challenge makes like Volvo, Mercedes Benz, Audi, Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin, BMW etc. --> incorrect comparison except for the first. Ferrari is a premium supersports car and can only be compared with Lamborghini or McLaren or that kind. Aston Martin is a premium car and can only be compared with Maybachs and some Mercedes and BMW series. Porsche is a supersport manufacturer with a very niche product (basically the 911 with variants except for the excellent SUV that looks like a bloated 911).

You can only compare Toyota to Volvo or VW or Peugeut or FIAT or SEAT or Citreon or Renault --> mass product cars. And it does pretty well against those, even in Europe. Also, compare sales of BMW, Merdedes and Lexus (a Toyota brand) and you'll find Lexus competes very well

In terms of safety, Toyota has a slim lead over Volvo and VW. In terms of style, well, that's a different matter and I think FIAT had loads of it, and the French manufacturers and Swedish have some quirky but superb styles. I like the German or Skoda styles though -- more solid and to my own personal taste