Americans’ taste in automobiles is becoming a little more European. The fact that Ford and GM are marketing truly global cars like the Fiesta, Focus and Chevrolet Cruze with only minor modifications to reflect local tastes supports this view. Diesel, while still a tiny portion of the US market, is increasing in share of market, propelled by the efforts of VW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW. GM has even announced that they will offer a diesel-powered Cruze in the US.
Even the hatchback, a configuration traditionally rejected by Americans is becoming more accepted: “Five-door hatchbacks, popular among European families but long regarded as boring by Americans are catching on. They now make up almost half the retail sales of Ford’s small Fiesta and Focus” (Financial Times). Hot hatches like the Focus ST and Golf GTI make this segment even more appealing.
All this change is exciting and I hope that it signals a long-term adjustment in Americans’ view of automobiles. Selfishly, I hope it will culminate in a re-appreciation of a body style seemingly lost to the sands of time…the full-size station wagon.
Europeans have a very different view of wagons, for one thing, they don’t call them “wagons,” they’re called “estates,” “Touring” or “Avants.” Just the language around the body style is better. It also helps that they have had some of the most beautiful well-designed wagons to choose from for years. For example, look at this Audi 5000 from the eighties, over 25 years old and it still looks great and feels very modern:
http://autoperspectives.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/images-1-150x104.jpeg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 269px) 100vw, 269px" />
For many Americans the idea of a station wagon became undesirable because of its connection to the newly suburban world of the post war years. Most of our mothers drove a domestic version like the Ford LTD Country Squire, here’s a good example complete with faux wood, driveway and lawn:
http://autoperspectives.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Ford-LTD-Wagon-150x112.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 207px) 100vw, 207px" />
In the 70s & 80s, things began to change, European models became better known and the Volvo wagon became the vehicle of choice for many families:
http://autoperspectives.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Volvo-240-wagon-150x112.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 207px) 100vw, 207px" />
In the 90s SUVs were the cool alternative to the very uncool station wagon and the death knell began to sound. The perception that station wagons were for stay-at-home moms in traditional suburbs added to the clanging and finally the cross-overs of the new millennia killed the full-size wagon body style for good. Even the high-line European brands have stopped importing their C-class wagons to the US. Audi no longer brings in the A6 Avant and BMW leaves the 5 Series Touring (wagon) off its US product plan. Only Mercedes-Benz, with its E-Class, still imports a full size wagon. It’s really a shame, as I said earlier, the Europeans have been making beautiful and useful wagons for years. But even they have recognized that Americans are more interested in cross-overs and don’t bother to bring in their wagons.
I recognize that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” but I can’t understand why someone would choose to drive a chunky cross-over rather than a sleek, beautiful, sophisticated wagon. Look at the pictures below, wagons on the left, their corresponding cross-over on the right.
The Audi A6 Avant versus the Q7. The Q7 is perhaps better than most cross-overs, but the A6 Avant is just stunning
Here’s the BMW Touring versus the X5, no contest.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon, truly makes the M-Class look bovine.
One domestic manufacturer has the courage to offer a wagon. I happen to think the Cadillac wagon is great looking, but even if you hate the brand’s design language, you can’t tell me that the wagon isn’t better looking than the SRX!
http://autoperspectives.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_CTSW_Photo_Gallery_13_12CACT22064_960x400-e1374533793875-150x77.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 193px) 100vw, 193px" />
http://autoperspectives.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/2013_SRX_0_13CASR22005_ext_960x400-e1374533877161-150x77.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 193px) 100vw, 193px" />
All of these wagons are available with all-wheel drive and offer the driving dynamics and comfort of their sedan counterparts. These four manufacturers also offer high performance variants for those of us whose manhood may be compromised by the idea of driving a wagon.
The McNaughtons have always had wagons and taken our family of four on vacations, children off to college, several post college moves, not to mention schlepping all manner of household projects and we have never lacked for utility. In fact, I don’t know what we would have done without our wagons.
I know this seems counter intuitive, but these wagons are just so much cooler than cross-overs. The station wagon deserves a renaissance in the US!
Tags: Audi of America, BMW, Branding, Cadillac, Mercedes Benz
Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all people you actually recognise what you are speaking about!
Bookmarked. Please also discuss with my site =). We could have a hyperlink trade contract among us
Globus3 Best Site For Marketing – blog post
Is Your Relationship On The Rocks
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
부산 달리기 can be an entertainment information site that could be
stated it really does not have to be unique within the Busan/Gyeongnam region through numerous business information and actual reviews.
Love a more satisfying run through more informative and substantial
information delivered by Busan Run.
Hi, i feel that i noticed you visited my site thus
i came to return the want?.I’m attempting to to find things to improve my website!I guess
its adequate to make use of some of your ideas!!
I am in fact thankful to the holder of this website who has shared this wonderful piece of writing at
at this time.
Great website you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of any
community forums that cover the same topics talked about here?
I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get
responses from other experienced people that share the same interest.
If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
Thanks a lot!
I gօt this website from my buԁdy wһo shared with me reɡɑrding this web page аnd now
this time Iam visiting this web site аnd reading very informnative posts here.
my page Togel Terpercaya
relationship problems
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
Our Site
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
The most recent address of 조밤 접속주소 just isn’t on Twitter,
but only situated on the official blog.
At this time I am ready to do my breakfast, once having my breakfast coming again to read more news.
always i used to read smaller posts which also clear their motive, and that is also happening with
this article which I am reading here.
Precision Cable Assembly
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
Ikea kitchen
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
Xe88 Register
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
검증놀이터
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
http://ascendents.net/?v=MJ53t1EmsCI
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
klik link ini
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
no days off
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on canlı kumar oyunları.
Regards
nicktube.Com
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
situs judi bola terpercaya
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
I’ve been working onacting onperformingperfectingperforming ondoingtaking care ofcreatingfixingimplementingfunctioning onengaged onfocusing on my website for some timeagesthe timea period of timeit slowvaluable timea timetime outeven thougha whilesome pointquantities ofa moment now.
An impressive share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a friend
who has been conducting a little homework on this. And he actually
ordered me dinner due to the fact that I stumbled upon it for him…
lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!!
But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this matter here on your web site.
What’s Taking place i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely useful and it has
helped me out loads. I amm hoping to contribute & help different
customers like its aired me. Good job.
Star515327693617.wikidot.com
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
Hi it’sme, I am also visiting this site daily, this web page is actually nice and the people are genuinely sharing pleasant thoughts.
릴게임사이트
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
Everyone Can Come Along – There are usually folks larger families
which do not be able to enjoy these family vacations because they have physical limitations or are older.
With so many options and wonderfully affordable plwces tto visit,
there’s no period of the morning for boredom. A bus charter service is
able to take both you and your number of travelers to around the united states that is certainly accessible by way of a roadway.
Feel free to surf to our sponsor’s website; ST Lee Transport Singapore
bionluk backlinkc indexletme
two yarns Coming
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
m88
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
check here
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
gummy smile laser
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit
and sources back to your website? My blog site is in the exact same area of interest
as yours and my users would definitely benefit from a lot of the information you
present here. Please let me know if this alright with you.
Cheers!
The flowers were delivered recent and as anticipated.
Hello, this weekend is good in support of me, because
this time i am reading this impressive informative paragraph
here at my home.
I am truly glad to read this web site posts which carries lots of valuable data, thanks for
providing such data.
It’s an awesome article for all the web people; they will take advantage from it I am sure.
Rf connector manufacturer
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
It’s really a cool and helpful piece of information. I’m happy that
you simply shared this useful information with us.
Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
After exploring a few of the articles on your web page, I
really like your way of blogging. I book marked it to my bookmark website list
and will be checking back in the near future. Please check out my web site as well and
tell me what you think.
Tankini Swimwear
As someone who pays for and uses all the services Crunchyroll Funimation HIDIVE Hulu amazon prime and Netflix this video is
terrible quality and seams to only get at part of the issue.
Yes season splitting of multiple season shows like Darker than Black, DBZ and Ikki Tousen is a problem but the bigger problem
is the industries refusal to fix it. These shows are split up like this because of crappy licensing deals that
were never followed up on.
Sexy Bikini Swimsuit In 1968, the passes all said,
“No women, children or dogs allowed on the field.” This was no joke.
There were no women in the marching band; no women cheerleaders;
no women security guards. A year later, I earned one of the coveted passes.
Turns out she lived in the US for a while, and mentioned she has relatives
still living there. She asked us if we had ever heard of the city
where her relatives live, which ends up being where our college is located.
On top of that, her relatives run the most popular pizza joint in town two blocks from
campus.. Sexy Bikini Swimsuit
Bathing Suits Uh, I just going to tell you not actively painful in normal day to day life (especially when your foot is going numb) means it will be VERY annoying on the mountain or at any point in the day where
your foot has expanded. I know I wear 7 in Burton and 32, but a
6.5 in Ride. I don remember off the top of my head about other
brands.. Bathing Suits
cheap bikinis 1. AlineaHow to describe the beauty of the great
Alinea in mere words! Let’s just say, if Bobby Flay’s Bar American were a Coach bag, then the Alinea would be a one of a kind alligator Hermes
Birkin. There is nothing, NOTHING that can touch the expertise of
Grant Achatz and his miraculous team. cheap bikinis
dresses sale Stop trying to make money off of dead people,
it disgusting and crass beyond all belief. She has
departed this life, please show some respect for the dead.
Show some respect for the dead and please, let this never happen. Gundam SEED Destiny had its premiere broadcast in Japan on October 9, 2004, at 6:00 on the Japan News Network
television stations Tokyo Broadcasting System and Mainichi
Broadcasting System replacing the first Fullmetal Alchemist anime
series and ended on October 1, 2005. In December 2005, a special
episode called “The Chosen Future” aired in Japan. The episode is mainly a
remake of episode 50, extending the series’ ending.
dresses sale
swimwear sale On their way home from the lake,
the girls ran into the two assailants, Viggo Kristiansen and Jan Helge Andersen, who had been bicycling around the
area looking for potential victims.[5] They were lured by Kristiansen, who pretended to be
looking for lost kittens, up to a more secluded
part of the terrain. At the trial, the court established
that both girls were at this point first ordered to undress, then sexually assaulted by
Kristiansen. Andersen contributed to this act by subduing the
girls, as well as later sexually molesting Srstrnen. swimwear sale
Sexy Bikini Swimsuit Looking at Nike’s financial statements, we can see a lot of very
positive things. Revenue, gross profit, and
net income have all increased steadily year after year.
Their current ratio, a ratio you can use to measure if
a company can pay off its debts, has increased in fiscal year 2017.
Sexy Bikini Swimsuit
Monokinis swimwear Investors should be having flashbacks to the 2010 accelerator
issues that plagued Toyota and Lexus models. That issue, which involved the hybrid
models inadvertently accelerating when pressure was applied to the brake on bumpy surfaces,
cost Toyota roughly $2 billion between lost revenue and recall costs.
The company incurred an additional $1.2 billion charge related
to legal costs. Monokinis swimwear
wholesale bikinis With the help of the local expertise, lithium deposits can more
easily be found, explored, and developed. Lowest production cost per
ton LCE. The climate in Argentina is unmatched for a brine evaporation operation, which is the
lowest cost method to date. wholesale bikinis
beach dresses I “quit” self injury about 8 times before I was actually
able to put it behind me (currently 17 years clean!).
When you use something as a coping device it almost impossible to leave it behind until you have new coping devices.
Understanding where it came from and why
you felt you needed it and not feeling debilitating anxiety about moving in the world without it are really key!
Even if you have wobbles (because in times of stress it natural to fall back on your most used
coping mechanisms without really thinking about it) you still on the path to success beach dresses.
Brkfst premium e-liquids
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
google fuck
hair Extensions
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
Hello, I enjoy reading your post all. I llike to compose a comment to support you. I time spent my half an hour to read the content of this internet site all the time together with a mug of coffee. https://divorceronline.com
service online
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives
skin clinic for Acne
Americans becoming more “European” in our automotive tastes…will wagons make a comeback? « McNaughton Automotive Perspectives