European cars cost more for parts and service. Do they break down a lot more than American? I thought they were better in quality. Why are they so temperamental?
wilson h
Favorite Answer
I wouldn't say they are behind at all in the mileage war. The American manufacturers can produce fair competition in the economy sector but "we the people" have not spoken loudly enough. As long as the hottest selling vehicles are SUV's,what do you think they are going to produce. Also when you have "Big brother and the oil company" keeping an eye on things who do you think is going to win the debate over fuel efficient vehicles. As far as foreign parts and service,the Asians will wear your pockets out when it comes to repairs,Euros are costly as well but, ask yourself this how many Asian cars do you know of that will go over 300,000 miles and still be reliable,many European cars will and often do. European temperamentalness can probably be contributed to unwillingness to change something that works so well to overcome some small idiosyncrasy that their owners have adapted to over the years. An example is that of the Mercedes-Benz automatic transmission. Prior to the merger with Chrysler,of which it was made clear that they were interested in Chryslers' automatic transmission technology,they were known as the car to have if you wanted to be seen as a person of status,at least outside of Germany. There was no such thing as a smooth shifting Mercedes-Benz automatic transmission,this may be why the Europeans used them as we do Chevy Caprices over here,as mules. Once the technology was gain the Mercedes now shifts as smoothly as any high-end car on the market.
p3200tmz
The fuel economy of American cars and foreign cars are the same for comparable vehicles.
2008 Chevrolet Malibu, 4 cyl, auto, 22 city, 30 highway, 25 combined
2008 Toyota Camry, 4 cyl, auto, 21 city, 31 highway, 25 combined
Huba
For along time European and Asian companies were dealing in their home markets which had much higher gas prices than the US. So they had to make more fuel efficient vehicles. Now US car makers are trying to catch up and they are to some extent. But Consumer Reports' issue this month lists the top mileage cars and the Japanese are tops again.
rayna
supply and demand. sorry to say but most americans want big gas guzzling powerful cars. if people want it they'll make it. it you notice in europe most of their cars are [sub]compact on my way to work(ft worth tx) on the highway i am surrounded by trucks and suvs with only one person in them. what a waste!!! a lot of american companies produce more fuel efficient cars elsewhere where the market for it is better like ford made a diesel focus but only in europe. however some american car companies are making more efficient cars not anyway: like the chevy volt
geezuskreyest
I don't think we're last in fuel economy. I think we're last in styling. GOD there are some ugly American cars out these last several years. YUCK!