Driving a Citroen CX New York in France - Car and Driver
Every year in Austin, Texas, the Austin French Alliance Launches a celebration of Bastille Day, which highlights francophone s Austin and beyond Our friends Revolution Motors in Austin, Texas attended and displayed various French cars since many years in this event this year event featured French cars extremely rare in North America to start, we had a Peugeot 205 painted XRD Porsche Sebring Green, measuring 504 with a turbo diesel engine, imported CINA-rare Citroen CX Prestige Turbo 2, and unheard of in the States; Peugeot 206 Ironically, the most normal car attendance was a Renault Dauphine Peugeot 205 XRD.
With the same household shifting GM car one wonders how long Peugeot remain sidelined For those of you who are not aware of the Peugeot is considering a comeback story, I'll put you up to speed.
In 1991, Peugeot stopped importing new Peugeot s on the North American market say they are removed or abandoned in North America would be a Peugeot false statements to date has its North American headquarters in New Jersey and regulatory and research office in the Detroit area date, they support and parts supply for vehicles that were sold here, they could have pulled up and left in 2001 as this date have fulfilled their obligation 10 years to support the north American models, but not for now.
Shortly after Peugeot stopped imports Jacque Calvert, their president at the time said they would return if they could produce cars in the United States with a partner Many presidents later, not much as changed the way a movement once a year, the Peugeot community will catch wind of an interview in which Peugeot utters a cryptic statement on the return and mass celebrations will take place after 6 or 7 of these statements in the past decade, not much as changed.
What has changed is that the gas has become a very sought after commodity, diesel experiencing a renaissance in the US, and small smart cars are again hot items.
In the past, Peugeot stressed that the North American market is a big market and they did not offer an SUV model in their range Now they do, but nothing changed Peugeot is correct in the north American market is a big market, but it is also a diverse market not all everyone wanted a sport utility vehicle at the time and many do not want one now If ever there was a proof of concept that small smart cars can be successful in this market while the Mini Cooper is still here in Texas I can not drive more than 10 minutes without seeing one on the road which leads another point; even if the market is large, it has never been so much choice in vehicles Although the cars were simply boring and banal that there was something of an alternative to the German-centric European import would be positive for the sales Return when Peugeot sold cars here the east coast, the West coast, Northwest Pacific, Texas, Florida and Louisiana were major markets these markets continue to be key areas for sales particularly Texas and Florida because of their population growth.
When last Peugeot sold here diesel cars was the GM decline was almost diesel single handily killed by producing examples of poor quality of Peugeot diesel engines was diesel king and ended up with tons of diesel unsold models in America Northern Much has changed since and VW, Mercedes and Jeep have all found success with their diesel cars diesel offerings today are clean, quiet and powerful Peugeot and Ford jointly develop a range of diesel engines and to this day I am shocked that Ford did not take advantage of that in their line of north American cars and trucks Ford has in his hands the perfect ingredient for a Trifecta marketing; a diesel-hybrid SUV The short-term vision of manufactured goods in the United States continues to surprise me, but since it does not concern Ford I refocus my critical Peugeot This is the perfect time for diesel cars in North America and Peugeot makes the most advanced diesel engines.
So does nothing import cars in North America is expensive, which is why BMW, Mercedes, Toyota, Honda, Subaru, etc. all have assembly plants in North America So when is- it ideal to build or buy a plant in a foreign country when How the exchange rate is in your favor the rise of the euro has made US goods cheap and this is also true for real estate and industrial facilities Hello, Peugeot.
Peugeot sells cars in Mexico that are made in Chile Why not build a plant in West Texas or Mexico that would benefit from NAFTA and the position you supply the North American market.
When last Peugeot sold cars here, they fought a battle of perception that their cars were unreliable Some that were done, some of them was the perception when Peugeot was built for the North American market to the Sochaux plant in France, they equipped their production line for the North American market production models was held for about 7 months, the problem with this type of production is that if a problem is discovered, you can not stop production and make the necessary corrections to the problems of today are resolved during the production period of the following year Although this problem still occurs manufacturers produce more cars on the world market from the lines production of specific models in the market in the defense of Peugeot all manufacturers had quality control problems in the 1980 Audi WAS month away from pulling out of North America, but for some reason did not Renault's reputation for poor quality also contributed to soil Image French manufacturers in North America As always the story is the ultimate AuthorIT there and given the number of high mileage Peugeot s still on the road, I would say that the question of reliability was overrated.
At present the majority of people of driving age in North America have either a neutral perception of Peugeot or do not know the capital of all the younger generation, many of those who buy small and sporty models have greater chance to have a positive effect for Peugeot based on exposure to the tent in the popular media and the YouTube video games, video rally themed games and television shows such as Top Gear have allowed younger generations a glimpse of what they can not get here in the exhibition tent in this way should not be underestimated case in point is the Nissan Skyline Nissan Skyline was never sold here, but we know each boy as an adult teen and a girl with a need for speed These cars have attracted a cult although Nissan has never marketed or anything released in North America that i recognize or reinforce this video game models, movies, YouTube, word of mouth, and a series of crises import US catapulted tailor the car to legendary status The Skyline unconventional campaign non-factory PR led Nissan to take note of the public's desire for this car and led them to develop the next generation for the north American market Hello, Peugeot.
Until a few weeks, I'm sure GM focus group said that consumers want a vehicle occupying two lanes of traffic and have a home cinema Base your decisions on the North American market on the advice of groups discussion as only watch your rear view mirror while driving you are not competing with BMW, Mercedes or Lexus for focus on customers with an eye on VW Volvo.
When I attended Rétromobile 2006 in Paris, I had to put aside everything I said about the French and the Parisians in general, to make my own opinion about things I find that all I had been led to believe was so far from the truth, it was fun since my french was poor I opened my eyes a little wider, took notes and listened Ironically it's the same thing I would recommend to Peugeot regarding the north American market Be polite, listen, especially to the people in your market to the benefit of the doubt not two individuals I met in Paris were the same, and so here is a set non- says the country values of a car that a customer believes that the car itself embodies as a producer, it is to you to define listening to the needs of your market and bonding of heritage values your concent nation rer on relationships and positive values and you are on your way to success, no matter how difficult the market.
If I asked you to name the country that is known for some of the more expensive, rare, innovative clothing lines and artistically decorated would you be able to do How about a nation known for their dedication to wine , food and art to enjoy a quiet meal Can you think of a city that s evening lights and intimate streets are synonymous with romance, love and passion.
How about a country home, the oldest car manufacturer belonging to the family of the most coveted and expensive cars, a leader in automotive technology and the creators of some of the most beautiful cars to date title this position the logical answer is France, but if asked to not clued setting dimension are France would be the last estimate on a list that is assuming they are aware that France produces cars quite frankly , the evidence that supports France as well known a major manufacturer of desired cars, but not assigned and disconnected public perception of France, I must say that when I say public, I am referring to those living the United States and Canada We tend to define roles and beliefs on imports from trading partners and in the case of France is certainly not cars.
France France does not register masculinity gasoline, steel and speed does not coexist, much less be created by a country that will take you with goat cheese, quiche and souffle I guess the fact that France is too much prevents them correctly delicate to do things properly mechanical After all cars are on speed, efficiency and noise, things such as comfort, space, sensuality and warmth has no place in a car, right in America this is true the first part, not the second.
Chew for a while and I'll be back to further discuss the values we look for in a car Oh, and to answer some questions.
The most coveted cars and expensive pre-war cars such as Talbot-Lago, Bugatti, Delahaye, Delage.
The creators of some of the most beautiful cars to date, Bodies of cars Figoni and Falaschi, Pourtout, Saoutchik and Chapron.
Car France French cars in the United States and beyond, cars, France, French.