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Finally, We Know Who Makes The Best Cars

Agent009 submitted on 04/12/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 8:41 AM
from: www.autoexpress.co.uk

[29] user comments | category: Misc News

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Finally, We Know Who Makes The Best Cars

QUESTION: Who are the best in the world at building mass-produced cars? Answer: the Japanese and the Germans! Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that every company from Japan and Germany is a winner. Far from it. Suzuki and Mercedes-owned Smart, for example, have each suffered disturbing loss of form lately, and both can now consider themselves stuck in the bottom 10 of the major firms who sell cars in Britain.

But still, it has to be acknowledged that these two bad apples are the exception to the rule. In the global top 10, six are Japanese (Lexus, Honda, Mazda, Subaru, Toyota and Daihatsu), and in the top 15, five are German (Porsche, BMW, Audi, Mercedes and Volkswagen). The humble Swedes can consider themselves the next best on the planet, thanks to the efforts of often overlooked Volvo and, to a lesser extent, Saab. In fourth place, it's the South Koreans (courtesy of Kia and Hyundai), followed by the Czech Republic (Skoda, of course), then Britain (thanks to Jaguar). All the above feature in the top half of car-producing companies/countries and should be proud of that fact.

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XYZZ - 4/12/2007 9:27:13 AM

+1 Boost

for once, Enthusiast is NOT the very first to post, with his standard "Yeah but the japanese cars are boring, bland, and just do not have any magic feel at all."
(or any of the countless VARIATIONS on this tiresome, whiney tirade.)

you almost wonder if he stays up nights, just to be the very first to pounce on ANY thread with lexus or toyota in the title.

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webguy - 4/12/2007 4:33:16 PM

+1 Boost

I’d rather see the first post be someone’s opinion of the article, flaimbait or not; instead of someone’s completely off-topic whining about someone else’s posts. Being so compelled to complain that the article topic is completely ignored is no better than being a blinded badge whore; and you even managed to fill in the void with your own rhetorical quote fabrication. There’s a deep irony there. Do you stay up at night worrying about someone else’s opinion?

With that, I’ll heed my own words and agree with Dave below. It’s a matter of money and therefore talent… If the consumer cars were of the same quality as our military vehicles, we’d have some of the best cars in the world; but the companies with the “best” ideas in the country tend to get military contracts.

Dave - 4/12/2007 9:56:54 AM

+15 Boost

This isn't really that surprising. The Japanese and Germans were the Axis powers in WWII and were producing products of high caliber back then. From the high end German Tiger tanks to the well built Japanese naval ships, the Germans/Japanese still produce the 'best' cars today. Since losing WWII, they're not allowed to have a formal offensive military so the money goes into their products.
The US back in WWII was much more about quantity than quality. Germany and Japan were destined to lose the war because they could never match the industrial might(quantity) of the US. But today, on a similar scale, we see the same process with cars. The US(GMC) is still the world's #1 automaker in terms of quantity, but it's the Germans and Japanese who deliver superior quality(high technology, fit/finish, performance, etc.). Trucks excluded, most people today in the US think of Japanese and German when buying a quality car.

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courtstone - 4/12/2007 10:05:43 AM

+3 Boost

That was a pretty elaborate analysis Dave. Its sad to say, but its kinda true!

1995e34 - 4/12/2007 11:00:03 AM

+2 Boost

so when the u.s. loses it's formal offensive military, it can produce nice cars again? the world is waiting.

AUTO_UNION - 4/12/2007 10:16:35 AM

+1 Boost

Completely agree with Dave.

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chuck717 - 4/12/2007 10:29:44 AM

+1 Boost

On the luxury side of the debate, if you wanted to drive around town then a MBZ, BMW would be my choice, but if i had to drive coast to coast with total confience that every morning the car would start with no computer glitches and the such and not break down, then i would take a Lexus or Infiniti hands down.

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no1listensanyway - 4/12/2007 10:38:01 AMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

I agree, I recently started to lease my cars so I can get anything I want. If I had to buy, I would def get japanese.

enthusiastx11 - 4/12/2007 11:13:00 AM

-4 Boost

broad, pointless topic. 'best' has different meaning to different people. next....

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Yonder7 - 4/12/2007 12:18:56 PM

+1 Boost

Gemans were not able to win the the second world war, not because the Tiger were bad tanks, in fact 1 King Tiger was equivalent to 4 shermans or allied tanks. The basic problem was that the allied always have 5 tanks.
American mind is: MORE IS BETTER wich is wrong, but helps a lot. Know rememeber that wich is good for you, not necessarly means good for me.

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BMW_DRVR - 4/12/2007 1:46:00 PM

+1 Boost

Kia, Hyundai and Skoda put Korea and Czech Republic ahead of the US. Thats Rubbish!!! They are not better that US vehicles in terms of quality or anything else.

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MookGmbH - 4/12/2007 1:59:37 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Ask the Brits and they'll tell you they trust Ford. Ask Yanks the same question and they will politely invoke the fifth amemdment, then step into their Lexus LX570.

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Westside7th - 4/12/2007 4:11:45 PM

+3 Boost

Wow, an opinion column. I believe everything I read.

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Agent63 - 4/12/2007 7:10:59 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

And this list is written up and credible according to who?

The top 10 are only top 10 because of it's affordability. Eco cars would be best considered the best cars because everyone drives one. There's no uniqueness with them. As for the more well known premium brands the % of people buying one is less because of it's price.

I give Toyota a lot of credit for helping out Lexus with everything from the get-go. Another reason for its huge success in the US is because it's the most affordable 'luxury' brand that's not Audi/BMW/Mercedes. It's not cheap but it's not as expensive as it's competitors either.

Money for value is what the North Americans look for. For the money what can you buy? and Lexus comes into mind. Mercedes, BMW, and Audi are less understated and also more rich in history. That gives them the advantage in the global market.

When 70% is it in Europe Diesels dominate the road ways, Lexus can not take on that. That's why they should concentrate on the US market instead of trying to 'take over' globally. It's not going to happen anytime soon.

With Germany's hybrid-diesel why would someone go hybrid-petrol? It's also funny how Lexus is grouped with Honda, Subaru, Mazda, Toyota, and Daihatsu and the Porsche, BMW, Audi, Mercedes and Volkswagen are grouped together.

This list justifies nothing. Bentley, Rolls Royce, or Maybach are great cars showcasing the highest levels of luxury but they're not mentioned in the top 5. So this is rubbish.

Also when I searched on google for "the best cars in the world." This site showed up in result. I clicked it: (http://www.elegant-lifestyle.com/bestautos.htm) Even though I find this list not completely true as BMW and Audi make good cars as well it clearly shows that these cars are status symbols to whoever made it.

I think the new LS is nice but it lacks the elegance I LOOK FOR. It's understated luxury but when you spend so much on a car you want some curb appeal. But I respect the fact Lexus made it on this list but the people who share the top 5 aren't even premium brands and we all know it's a biased list.

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Agent63 - 4/12/2007 7:15:35 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

I think Buick is great value for money. You get a luxurious and comfortable ride for what you pay for. It's an alternative to Cadillac without the hefty price tag. I stereotype it as an old man's car too aside from Cadillac. But their brand image is appealing to younger crowds now. I love the new CTS that's coming out. It looks stunning and interior looks much better with quality parts.

Tiger Woods will drive one of these new Buicks to every golf event he goes to.

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david999 - 4/12/2007 8:45:40 PM

+1 Boost

"I give Toyota a lot of credit for helping out Lexus with everything from the get-go. Another reason for its huge success in the US is because it's the most affordable 'luxury' brand that's not Audi/BMW/Mercedes. It's not cheap but it's not as expensive as it's competitors either."

It's much easier to afford a BMW or Audi than a Lexus. Also, on the street the new LS looks great, and has great curb appeal.

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Agent63 - 4/13/2007 4:07:54 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

How do you figure Lexus is more expensive than a BMW or Audi? No Lexus barely surpass the 100K except the SC after tax and the new LS. The 760 and the S600 is near the 170-190K CAD range.

Unless in your area Lexus cost more then it's hard to say because you're basing it on your area.

david999 - 4/13/2007 7:32:47 AM

0 Boost

3 series, X3,A3,A4 are all examples of vehicles with discounts and lease incentives that make them affordable.

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XYZZ - 4/14/2007 7:17:53 AM

0 Boost

not to mention, there are all those CHEAP, SMALL, entry level models in europe that audi, bmw and mb are ashamed to market in N. America.

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XYZZ - 4/21/2007 6:32:15 AM

+1 Boost

i'll grant that probably is true.

but i believe they also want to avoid IMAGE DILUTION with cheaper models.

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XYZZ - 4/21/2007 9:12:39 AM

+1 Boost

i recall going to a local auto show about when the C-class ("baby benz" to the press, which MB "educated" them out of) first came out.

i was greatly impressed on how CHEAPLY it was made. the glovebox lining was CARDBOARD. the damped ashtray on a Hyundai was smoother. small details, granted, but they just EXUDED CHEAPNESS.

the ONLY reason anyone would've bought one, would've been to get a 3-pointed star to look thru.

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bevisroy - 4/21/2007 3:59:42 PM

+1 Boost

Lexus ALWAYS understates their 0 - 60 times by at least .5 seconds. Here are the results of the 5 Top Luxury Cars in this test which was reported in the January Issue of Car and Driver. Please note these tests were all done on the same day at about the same time and at the same altitude. The results reflect the average of 3 runs and all cars are the 2007 vintage.

Mercedes S550 5.6, 0 - 60 quarter mile in 14.1
BMW 750iL 5.7, 0 - 60 quarter mile in 14.2
Jag XJ Super 6.0 0 - 60 quarter mile 14.5
Lexus LS460L 6.2 0 - 60 quarter mile 14.6
Audi A8 6.8 0 - 60 quarter mile 15.2

Note that Lexus, as usual, is more than the 5.4 the manufacturer CLAIMS to get by .8 seconds.

Also note the LS430 (prior model the LS460 replaced) was rated at 295 HP and was actually 278 when Lexus corrected their rating. And there were no refunds or apologies from the so-called "quality" car company. ABC - Always Be Careful what you buy from the Lexus people.....

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