General Discussion

HiPointDem

(20,729 posts)

133. japanese cars don't sell that well in europe (& there may be trade reasons)

Wed Apr 25, 2012, 07:51 PM

Apr 2012

best-sellers in europe

2010

Volkswagen Golf - 492,556
Ford Fiesta - 402,207
Volkswagen Polo - 354,068
Renault Clio - 338,245
Opel Corsa/Vauxhall Corsa - 317,950
Peugeot 207 - 305,468
Opel Astra/Vauxhall Astra - 291,219
Ford Focus - estimated 262,000
Renault Mégane - 260,542
Fiat Punto - 257,645

Source: Automotive News Europe
2011

Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Polo
Ford Fiesta
Opel Corsa/Vauxhall Corsa
Opel Astra/Vauxhall Astra
Renault Clio
Ford Focus
Renault Mégane
Volkswagen Passat
Peugeot 207

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best_selling_automobiles_in_Europe

and to my knowledge, they never did sell that well, even when they were much cheaper than competitors. part of that may have been due to trade barriers.

but i think the mistake people make when looking at the auto industry is assuming that it's a competitive industry rather than a managed one, with lots of capital interlock.

2 mill japanese cars exported to US plus nearly 3 mill produced here.
3/4 mill exported to eu + about 2 mill produced there.

though eu has the larger population.

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Highlight:

Farewell to GM, from a factory rat’s disloyal daughter [View all] NNN0LHI Apr 2012 OP

Its sad really madokie Apr 2012 #1

It all started when the powers that be re-branded the people of this nation... Javaman Apr 2012 #3

You know I think you are right madokie Apr 2012 #6

I am glad the author was honest and not playing the victim of the puppet joeglow3 Apr 2012 #8

Two fords in our driveway madokie Apr 2012 #9

Amen. joeglow3 Apr 2012 #10

I owned a couple VWs madokie Apr 2012 #12

Me either... well, not technically. Fawke Em Apr 2012 #54

Me, either! hamsterjill Apr 2012 #94

And then took it one step further Rex Apr 2012 #39

I'm 63 Y/O And I Made The Comment Just The Other Day........ global1 Apr 2012 #13

Sad madokie Apr 2012 #14

Greed is like a cancer--it hollows one out. I think this is a big part of the answer. nt Romulox Apr 2012 #86

If Gm would have made better postulater Apr 2012 #2

I have always bought GM and never bought "big stupid cars" joeglow3 Apr 2012 #4

Stagnant incomes for workers didn't help any JHB Apr 2012 #5

That doesn't change the fact that those purchase made DID go overseas. joeglow3 Apr 2012 #7

But GM was slow to adopt change at it's most crucial time ... Auggie Apr 2012 #16

Yes. It was the management who is to blame for all that, IMO. closeupready Apr 2012 #59

While I believe that to be true... WinniSkipper Apr 2012 #61

Aw, the tried and true excuse for not buying American. Play it again Sam. nt. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #11

They'll be saying the exact same thing about YOU when your job is outsourced. Nobody will care any Romulox Apr 2012 #19

+1 HappyMe Apr 2012 #20

I have to agree badtoworse Apr 2012 #21

I owned one Japanses car for all of 3 months. Traded it in on a new Corvette (1986). sinkingfeeling Apr 2012 #24

To be fair, the Citation did run pretty well... badtoworse Apr 2012 #75

Yes! I got a 1997 Saturn used and have had very few problems eridani Apr 2012 #147

That's why I buy all foreign goods. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #27

"Solidarity!"? With Who? n/t A Simple Game Apr 2012 #37

This message was self-deleted by its author pintobean Apr 2012 #43

Which part? nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #45

Sorry, I misunderstood pintobean Apr 2012 #49

I buy American products when I can find them and I'll even pay a premium for them. badtoworse Apr 2012 #81

So what do you drive today? nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #85

A Subaru Forester and a Toyota Highlander badtoworse Apr 2012 #89

It's amazing that Toyota's numerous recent mechanical difficulties did not dissuade you. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #92

The Highlander seems to have been pretty good since 2008 badtoworse Apr 2012 #96

Your loyalty is obvious. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #98

I'm the same way--which is why H1Bs are so awesome. Better than Americans, and so much cheaper! Romulox Apr 2012 #87

I laid out my experience in Post 81 badtoworse Apr 2012 #90

Not talking about cars--I'm talking about workers. I'm talking about *you*. nt Romulox Apr 2012 #91

That didn't answer my question badtoworse Apr 2012 #95

"replacement carb"??? Electronic fuel injection became standard in the late 70s. Romulox Apr 2012 #93

The 1983 Cutlass Ciera V6 had a 2 bbl. badtoworse Apr 2012 #99

THIS Buick Ciera? "It consistently ranked among the highest rated vehicles by J.D. Power..." Romulox Apr 2012 #101

Mine was an '83 and it was the worst car I ever owned. badtoworse Apr 2012 #103

Funny how bad things seem to happen to you in spurts, when others have such different results. Romulox Apr 2012 #105

There are such things as lemons... badtoworse Apr 2012 #106

There were cars, including domestics, using carbs NoGOPZone Apr 2012 #120

They got complacent 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #26

I think this is a big part of it ... ParkieDem Apr 2012 #33

Saab - ROFL snooper2 Apr 2012 #28

I had always heard that HappyMe Apr 2012 #35

Know why they call them Saabs? That's what you do when you get the repair bill. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #40

Two of my friends would wholeheartedly agree - nt. badtoworse Apr 2012 #78

They've been pushing that crap for 40 years, and it has yet to be true. Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #32

Same for everything else. Foreign products are just better. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #42

This has nothing to do with solidarity, any more than allowing the companies to loot Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #52

Let's put it this way. You have two cars of near equal value. An American built by union labor Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #56

It doesn't exist, if it did I would buy the union made vehicle every time. Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #66

Keep telling yourself that. No wonder other countries leave us in the dust. They actually buy Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #67

You have yet to make a single point other than that you've mastered the science of smilies. n/t Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #70

No, you've made my points quite nicely. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #72

Oh and you are wrong about that, too. Mexicans for example, build Chevys Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #76

What do Japanese and Germans buy? Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #79

japanese cars don't sell that well in europe (& there may be trade reasons) HiPointDem Apr 2012 #133

That's a good point and every nation buys more of its own than others. Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #140

i'd be interested to see it. HiPointDem Apr 2012 #142

I beg to differ. Fawke Em Apr 2012 #57

I should have been more specific. We drive Mercedes & Nissan, and I have yet to find an Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #60

There's always some excuse. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #62

No excuse, reality. My cars were nicer rolling off the showroom floor, Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #64

Long live the free market! nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #65

Union? I don't think so! nt Romulox Apr 2012 #97

USW Local 711. n/t Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #107

You know what? I don't believe you. Romulox Apr 2012 #110

You know what? Nobody cares what you believe. You seem incapable of comprehending Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #118

Did you look at Ford's offerings? Fawke Em Apr 2012 #121

Yes I did but in 2007 it wasn't even close. The Fusion cost more, lower MPG, less power, Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #129

+1 proud2BlibKansan Apr 2012 #74

There's nothing worse than a member Union Scribe Apr 2012 #115

Solidarity! Unless Consumer Reports says otherwise. nt Codeine Apr 2012 #141

Remember when you claimed your Prius was made in Oregon??? Romulox Apr 2012 #134

And I remember publicly apologizing for my mistake proud2BlibKansan Apr 2012 #145

Your "mistake" was thinking that the coast was clear for more anti-Labor posts. Romulox Apr 2012 #146

Because only your union matters, right? Codeine Apr 2012 #139

Does that help your conscience? nt Union Scribe Apr 2012 #114

I've always driven GM cars and still do notadmblnd Apr 2012 #128

We bought our first new car... meaculpa2011 Apr 2012 #15

DUers love to tell how "Solidarity!" and "I support unions!" doesn't include autoworkers. Romulox Apr 2012 #17

There's more support for unionized sex workers than for the UAW around here. nt Codeine Apr 2012 #143

I don't give a damn what people drive. But to claim to be a union leader, as some folks do... Romulox Apr 2012 #159

Also, pure comedy gold: "Is USPS the canary in the coalmine?" Romulox Apr 2012 #18

I'd rather push a Chevy than drive an import... lastlib Apr 2012 #22

You have that opportunity and are welcomed to it. n/t Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #68

I've done both badtoworse Apr 2012 #108

I have two american cars in my driveway. CBGLuthier Apr 2012 #23

Um, if you need an affordable option and can't buy a "new" car snooper2 Apr 2012 #29

I still think the industry needs to create a cheaper product CBGLuthier Apr 2012 #31

I picked up a $1300 1995 Nissan Altima on Craigslist snooper2 Apr 2012 #34

'67 LeMans, 81 Century Wagon, and '85 Astro Van -- I learn slowly, but never again. FarCenter Apr 2012 #25

GM killed GM by making horrible turds in the 1980's Throd Apr 2012 #30

Geez... that was nearly 30 years ago! Fawke Em Apr 2012 #126

30 years ago, but the damage still lingers to this day. Throd Apr 2012 #131

American and union aren't interchangable Spike89 Apr 2012 #36

LOL at all the excuses! I'm sure these same cop-outs won't be applied to *your* livliehood, though. Romulox Apr 2012 #38

If I give my clients shitty service and they don't come back, who is at fault? Throd Apr 2012 #41

If it's cheaper to outsource *your job* to a third-world hellhole, who is at fault? Nobody's. Romulox Apr 2012 #44

So people should buy what they deem to be an inferior product? Throd Apr 2012 #47

Nope. Economic/social darwinism should rule our country. But that also includes *your job*. nt Romulox Apr 2012 #48

I'm OK with that. Throd Apr 2012 #50

That's what makes you so "progressive", no doubt! nt Romulox Apr 2012 #51

You don't understand. Blue collar workers or as I like to call them "the little people" should be Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #53

Two unions matter: Teachers' and USPS. Everybody else has to COMPETE! in a bloody winner-take-all Romulox Apr 2012 #55

UAW should have charged less for their cars. How can I be expected to pay 1K more for union labor? Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #58

Foreign auto companies are heavily unionized cap Apr 2012 #71

You misread that. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #73

I wish I had a dollar for every UAW member that crossed our picket line. Ikonoklast Apr 2012 #119

Based on your logic it was simply well-deserved revenge--grocery workers Romulox Apr 2012 #130

No. you NEVER CROSS A PICKET LINE. EVER. Ikonoklast Apr 2012 #135

Driving a scab-mobile is the exact equivalent of crossing a picket line. nt Romulox Apr 2012 #138

Let he beautiful invisible hand of the free market guide consumers choice. LOL. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #46

So what, ah, should have been done? 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #63

Just can't wait to read the answer to this... n/t Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #77

Same thing that should be done NOW--a cutthroat, darwinian race to the bottom in which Romulox Apr 2012 #83

I understand that you aren't happy with the way things went 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #88

Um, dude. Things didn't "went". Things are *going right now*. You don't have it made. Romulox Apr 2012 #100

Ok, so you aren't happy with the way things *are going* 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #109

Dude, I'm racing to the bottom right with you! Yeehaaaaw! nt Romulox Apr 2012 #111

And I think we're done here 4th law of robotics Apr 2012 #152

So to be clear, we are obligated to buy inferior products at inflated prices so that Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #69

Not at all. But you don't get to push Rightwing economics and pat yourself on the back Romulox Apr 2012 #84

First, my job was sold off by a Democratic administration bent on the destruction of our Sovereignty Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #102

You should be applauding that. It's called "efficiency"! Cool story about your revenge fantasy, tho Romulox Apr 2012 #104

Revenge fantasy? Neither you nor Snake have any point to make, and now you're off Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #112

From your own post Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #113

Probably not going to buy another Mercedes and I've always found Toyotas overpriced, Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #122

And you do know that the Japanese have incredible nationalistic loyalty. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #124

That's complete shit that you pulled straight out of your ass. I'm sorry that people don't Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #149

Hit a nerve did I? Tough looking in the mirror. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #150

You really do need to get out of your head and out IRL. Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #153

Go peddle those anti-union talking points elsewhere. nt Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #154

What the fuck website am I on? Union Scribe Apr 2012 #117

Believe it or not things have improved a lot here at DU in the past ten years or so NNN0LHI Apr 2012 #144

No shit, whenever this subject comes up Union Scribe Apr 2012 #116

us gave auto market segment to japan on purpose. quid pro quo in return for acting as US HiPointDem Apr 2012 #80

I come from a GM family. JNelson6563 Apr 2012 #82

We will only buy American branded Trucks... Tikki Apr 2012 #123

Multinational corporations are loyal only to themselves. tabasco Apr 2012 #125

Isn't it ironic to read workers who've been screwed and screwed and screwed some more Egalitarian Thug Apr 2012 #136

K&R SpartanDem Apr 2012 #127

This thread needs a fumigator. nt Romulox Apr 2012 #132

Suggestion for the next union contract badtoworse Apr 2012 #148

Same with the American workers in general. Snake Alchemist Apr 2012 #151

What's silly about you is you can't imagine someone who isn't in the UAW sticking up for it. Romulox Apr 2012 #156

Not at all. I'm well aware of union solidarity badtoworse Apr 2012 #157

Anyone else notice the link to a DU thread in the article? flvegan Apr 2012 #137

Wow, what a powerful confession. Zalatix Apr 2012 #155

I made the change...from Infiniti to Saturn... Evasporque Apr 2012 #158