Which countries build the best cars and why?

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

What about the Moskvitch? }>

SOC

“Peace through kinetic solutions”

RE: Be happy for me!!!

>Hand – I have had a love affair with cars, particularly Holdens, >since 1970. In fact, whilst aircraft are my first love, I digressed >for about 30 years and devoted my attention to working on and >restoring cars. I still take an avid interest in them, but aircraft >have resumed their rightful place in my life. (second to my family – >didn’t think I was going to say that, did you?)

I always considered that material things should go after people. I’m glad that’s your point of view too 🙂

However any kind of hobby deserves respect.

I have no passion at all in cars. For me those things are expensive, dangerous and just a tool. I drive a company car and I’m happy with it.

RE: Be happy for me!!!

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 31-10-02 AT 09:12 AM (GMT)]Jeuneturc

If this was the best they could design, I think it’s just as well they stopped building them. Boy, are they UGLY!!!!

Regarding your comment on the ownership of Holden, yes, you’re correct, Holden is the Australian equivalent of Vauxhall and Opel. Whilst the Commodore started out in 1978 as a heavily Australianised version of the Opel Kommodore/Senator, with Australian engines, transmissions, steering and suspension, it has evolved over the years to a much better vehicle which now enjoys substantial export sales in the Middle East, South East Asia, New Zealand and next year, the USA.

The Holden Statesman, a long wheelbase version of the Commodore, is now the largest rear wheel drive vehicle built by a General Motors company anywhere in the world. The original shape for the current Commodore was developed at the same time as the Vauxhall Omega, and the doors and various other parts are similar. The front and rear designs are quite unique and the Statesman is totally unique to Holden. Holden enjoys a great deal of freedom in its designs today.

Because the Australian new car market is small by world standards, (about 190,000 this year which would be a record), Australian car makers have to achieve a great deal with a small budget. Holden has been recognised within the GM world as exceptionally proficient at doing this and the range of vehicles available here is now so good that the Yanks want a piece of the action for themselves. The Monaro coupe, based on the Commodore, will be exported to the US in late 2003, marketed as a Pontiac GTO, simply because GM in the States no longer makes anything like the Monaro.

Hand – I have had a love affair with cars, particularly Holdens, since 1970. In fact, whilst aircraft are my first love, I digressed for about 30 years and devoted my attention to working on and restoring cars. I still take an avid interest in them, but aircraft have resumed their rightful place in my life. (second to my family – didn’t think I was going to say that, did you?)

Mixtec

Ever looked under the hood (bonnet) of a late model Jap car – they ain’t so simple anymore. Multi-valves, quad cams, fuel injection, air-conditioning, all stuffed into a space smaller than your nannie’s nickers. You hope to God they’ll be reliable because nobody in their right mind would want to venture in there to fix them. I think it’s pretty fair to say that all modern cars are pretty complex and it is getting more and more difficult to do anything more than basic servicing yourself unless you are highly trained and well equipped.

Regards

The mechanical Wombat.

Where’s me bloody spanner???

Be happy for me!!!

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 31-10-02 AT 00:34 AM (GMT)]Doesn’t GM own holden ?and most of the cars look like Opels anyhow.

I used to have a honda but the new ones are really built shody.. i guess they want to make them cheaper nowadays.

If this makes you happier with what your counrey makes:

This was first and last national built motorcar in Turkey (well designed in england) (I am not talking about the assembled ones)

Anadol

http://www.kobiline.com/web/anadol/upload/1968-TEKKAPI.jpg

http://www.kobiline.com/web/anadol/upload/GALERÝ.jpg

http://www.kobiline.com/web/anadol1/upload/anadol3-renkli%20reklam.jpg

http://www.kobiline.com/web/anadol1/upload/1982.jpg

This was called the Anadol bug

http://www.kobiline.com/web/anadol2/upload/böcek-3.jpg

http://www.kobiline.com/web/anadol2/upload/böcek-2.jpg

The sports coupe.. notice the FORD amblem

http://www.kobiline.com/web/anadol2/upload/SARI%20GUZEL%20STC.jpg

http://www.kobiline.com/web/anadol/upload/1975-SL.jpg

They stopped the assembly line for FORDS!!!!

It’ll be years till they start a new company like this again… maybe when i am really old and while still talking about joining the EU 🙂

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

I have a (german) Ford, always drove or was driven in german cars, and wouldn’t like other cars. French often aren’t finished enough, Italian aren’t of very good quality even if nice, the Japanese have too much plastic inside and haven’t really an innovative look.

I also liked the PT Cruiser a lot, but sadly, i was disappointed with the finish inside. I expected more for the price.

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

Yes, but the Germans (Daimler, and so, Mercedes) effectively absorbed Chrysler. They took both names because it is better for economic reasons.

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

Mercedes doesn`t own Chrysler, there`s a company called Daimler-Chrysler.

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

I dont know much about car mechanics. But Ive been told by people that german cars are overly complicated and difficult to repair compared to say japaneese cars which are very simple and easy to repair.

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

Wombat , you would make a good car salesman… 🙂

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

Scott

You’re talking about the Holden Monaro. This two door is based on the most popular car sold down under, the Holden Commodore 4 door sedan. The Monaro and Commodore are sold here with a 3.8 litre supercharged (ex-Buick design) V6 and the Generation III Chev 5.7 litre V8 – 235 kw, 6 speed manual/4 speed auto transmissions. Fully independent suspension, full leather interior, air, power windows, power seats, 10 stack CD and loads more – the full house. Sells for about $60,000 on the road out here, but you can also buy Holden Special Vehicle versions with load more grunt and up to $90,000 pricetag.

I just hope you yanks don’t stuff the car’s good looks up too much trying to make it look like an old GTO!

Regards

Wombat

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

I vote for Australia. The Ozies stuff large displacement, high compression Yank engines into sleek, modern bodies that can cruise at high speed all day in the blistering Outback.

Here in the US, we can only wish for the type of machinery our indegenous automobile industry sells only Down Under. GM is the first US company to import a left hand drive version of a Holden to sell up here are the newest Pontiac GTO.

I would also vote for Honda. They build more engines than any other company in the world. The saying here in California is that “Honda is an engine maker that also happens to sell cars.”

Scott

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

merc owns chrysler – i work for a chysler garage and i know }>

on teh motor industry as a whole – a study has said that in the future only 6 manufactures will be left (ie big groups will form).

as you point out this is happening with loads of brnads being brought up by big comapanies

rabie :9

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

A330 did smoke good pot ?:)

“General Motors own Vauxhall, and VW own Mercedes and Audi.”

VW owns Mercedes ?
Woww , what a scoop!! VW owns : vw, skoda, audi , seat.

Mercedes owns , Mercedes-Benz , Chrysler (maybe doesn’t own but has shares in Chrysler).

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

Deutschland!

Audi, VolksWagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche. If those aren’t the top car manufacturers in the world I’m prepared to eat my shorts.

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

Andrew

No, certainly not, but neither of those Brit cars are what you would call “main-stream”. They are specialised high performance vehicles, with plenty of luxury and quality built in.

The sorts of trends I’m referring to are little design characteristics which appear first on Merc’s or Beemers, then within a couple of years, a lot of other manufacturers have picked up those characteristics and incorporated them in their own designs.

For example, the flush fitting four separate headlights from Merc’s, the clean, flush fitting bodywork and large flared guards from Audi’s, and the distinctive rear side window design from Beemers. Have a close look at the originals, then see how many of these little design traits are copied by others, usually Asian manufacturers. I realise that Europe and the UK don’t have the range of Asian rubbish we get out here – you are very lucky, as we don’t get anything like the range of Citroens, Peugeots, Fiats, etc, that you do. I’m a long standing car nut (though not as long as I’ve been an aircraft nut) and I hate copy-cat manufacturers who can’t come up with their own original designs, so most Asian cars are crap in my book. They will NEVER build the world’s best cars, because they don’t have the ability to be truly original.

I think the Aston Martins and some TVR’s are great (though some TVR’s were just plain dogs), but they are highly specialised cars.

Regards

Wombat

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

Wombat, you can’t be telling me that one of the German car companies started the trend for the Aston Martin’s and the TVR? 🙁

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

Guys

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then German cars are head and shoulders above the rest.

Not only are German vehicles generally of the highest quality, their engineering and design are often trend setters for others to follow. Have a look at the latest styling trends and you will probably find that a German vehicle had them first. Many little design traits that appear on Beemers, Audi’s and Merc’s, are seen on Jap or other Euro cars a couple of years later. Usually though, the imitation is never as well integrated as the original.

I wish Aussie cars were as good as the Germans. They win my vote by a mile.

Regards

Wombat

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

General Motors own Vauxhall, and VW own Mercedes and Audi.

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 26-10-02 AT 08:14 PM (GMT)]Just thinking……..(ouch!)

That new Audi has a resembelence with the new Vauxhall Vectra…..

Arn’t both companies owned by General Motors? If so, then maybe that why.

AUDI

http://www.keymags.co.uk/dcforum/User_files/3dba7271d8de3d00.jpg

http://www.keymags.co.uk/dcforum/User_files/3dba72b6d92fd825.jpg

VECTRA

Attachments:

RE: Which countries build the best cars and why?

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 26-10-02 AT 06:54 PM (GMT)]I personally like sedans with hot engines, acura, infinity, BMW and mercedes all makes these type of cars. But the absolute best looking sports car is the lotus elige.
Attachments: