Originally Posted By: Trav
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Quote:
The Japanese had very little to offer and anything European with any resemblance of comfort cost more than a new Cadillac.
American cars were the best in the world bar none!
Its a fact that anything Made in the USA back then was taxed right out of the Euro/Japanese market but they were able to sell theirs in the USA with very low duty.
To add insult to injury the foreign manufacturers subsidized USA sales and still do to some extent, at one time a BMW was a third or more cheaper in the USA for the same car. The truth is the USA shared their lunch with these countries and they ate the whole thing and the USA replied would you like some more.
Generally cars are cheaper in the U.S. because average U.S. worker is cheaper then average German worker (you know, universal healthcare, actual vacation etc. you know, those God hating socialist things). Not to mention those "progressive" right to work states where those cars are made.
Everyone subsidies their industry. Funny fact, only German company that needed bailout in 2008 from GERMAN government was Opel, owned at that time by GM!
Even today, American manufacturers cannot sell their cars made for an American taste in Europe. There are too many variables that influence that, from price of gas, to narrow streets to the fact that they are just mediocre at best.
Your argument how features like AC etc. were available only to the wealthy. While the U.S. was by far most developed country in 1950's, 60's, your are assuming that European driver wants all that, which is simply not truth. Even today, in European countries with high income then In the U.S. people do not care for big cars with 19 cup holders, etc. It is difference in culture. Only European cars made for an American market appeal to average American buyer, like VW Atlas etc. Rest usually have horrid cup holders (in Europe people do not mind getting out of the car and drinking coffee in cafe). The development of cars resembles culture where they are developed.
Whats with all this socialist, bailouts, progressive and 19 cup holders, stopping for coffee, etc? Get real man.
Most German taxi cabs in the 80's were W123 chassis and later E class so much for small streets for small cars. When I bought my 325I new in 93 A/C was a DM 2400 option, most Germans would not pay that much for it and rather go without. that is not the same as not wanting it. Today most cars sold in German are standard with A/C.
German retail customers have been subsidizing foreign sales for decades not through the government but the car companies so their products could compete in price in those countries.
In 94 a new BMW bike was almost double what it cost in the USA even if you take the MwSt off.
So, let me get this correct, easier EPA rules on trucks and full size SUV's are not backdoor subsidies? Every country is doing subsidies including the U.S., question is how? In the end, the U.S. tax payers bailed out half of car industry, and you can also argue that Germany bailed out part of the U.S. car industry by bailing out Opel.
And yes, worker in Alabama (MB), South Carolina (BMW), Tennessee (VW) is MUCH cheaper then worker in Munich.
And of course, many European cars come now with AC. Thing is, Buick from 93 with AC does not exist anymore, BMW from 93 might still be on the street. If you cheapen out rest of the car, sure you can put AC in.
