Another thing about american auto makers I could never understand is that they have always believed in selling 2nd grade crap to general public, splitting their products into two very distinct niches. Ford and GM can innovate, they have brilliant engines and great designers, but all that stuff is generally reserved for european models or for "luxury" divisions. Two examples:
1. GE has always had two different lines of V6 and V8 engines: low-tech, gas-guzzling one (for cheap Chevy/Pontiac models) and high-tech modern ones for Cadillac and European Opel and Saab.
2. Ford is even worse. They make cheapened-down version of Focus specifically for US, while selling a great little car in Europe. I just got back from vacation and I truly enjoyed one. Just compare these two photos from european and american versions of Focus, see all that cheap hard plastic painted fake aluminum in US version? Jeee....
1. GE has always had two different lines of V6 and V8 engines: low-tech, gas-guzzling one (for cheap Chevy/Pontiac models) and high-tech modern ones for Cadillac and European Opel and Saab.
2. Ford is even worse. They make cheapened-down version of Focus specifically for US, while selling a great little car in Europe. I just got back from vacation and I truly enjoyed one. Just compare these two photos from european and american versions of Focus, see all that cheap hard plastic painted fake aluminum in US version? Jeee....
American: http://www.fordvehicles.com/assets/images/vehicle/pg/fcs09_p...
European: http://img.worldcarfans.com/US/2007/12/4/9071204.006/9071204...