Bruce wrote: > They (like Infinity) happen to be "American" cars, in the sense that the > companies have design firms here in the US, and they are tailored to the > US market. If Toyota wanted to sell more cars in Europe they would > tailor their designs to that market. Pentax treats the US the way > Toyota/Lexux treats Europe.
Actually, most japanese manufacturers have tried to taylor exclusive cars for Europe but all have failed. Examples includes the Honda Accord that was designed and manufactured in Europe (but not anymore), and different from the japanese and american counterparts. It failed miserably and the Accord and the Camry are the least sold cars in their class in Europe. The reasons are simple; they look like shit inside and out and the japanese suffers in the image department. The renowned british Car magazine says the following of the Camry: "Big, ugly and cheaply constructed". About the Nissan Maxima (probably some Infinity overe there): "every bit as pointless as the Camry. Absolutely bland styling, zero image, and depreciation to rival Enron shares. Consider new purchase only if you have a prononced aversion to money". Not even Pentax is that lowly regarded anywhere. I have no doubt that the Japanese car industry should be taken seriously for providing more than reliable boring cars. And if they can do it, major camera manufacturers can too. The japanese have more and more letting the japanese and and european models be identical as they have figured out that cars popular in Europe is basically popular in Japan too. P�l
