FYI, here in Australia, 2 of the top three selling new cars are RWD
family sedans. Both Ford and Holden have just released completely
new models this year indicating this trend is expected to continue
for quite some time. Note that these are overall sales, not just for
family sedans!
Of course in the small car class, FWD dominates.
FWD medium-large cars aren't all that popular, with the exception of the
Toyota Camry and to a lesser extent the Mitsubishi Magna.
The Ford Taurus has been a notable failure in this market.
Nissan still have a RWD sucess the US in the form of the
200SX right?
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Allen <boballen@sky.net>
To: William Eastman <william.eastman@medtronic.com>; mgs@autox.team.net
<mgs@autox.team.net>
Date: Monday, September 21, 1998 7:47 AM
Subject: Re: Engine placement
>-----Original Message-----
>From: William Eastman <william.eastman@medtronic.com>
>
>
>I love arguing with this guy. . .
>
>>Now no one will risk upsetting the apple cart by introducing a
>>RWD car. For some reason the upper end of the market has been somewhat
>>immune to this.
>
>You're wrong, of course. It seems everyone that has reached their social
>station in life is drving a RWD car. They're called Sport Utes. But maybe
>they secretly lack the confidence to go all the way as they carry around
>pristine and unused FWD running gear where ever they go.
>
>Seriously, in the top five vehicle sales charts, trucks have taken at least
>three positions for the last decade in the U.S.A. And trucks are all RWD.
>
>I think there are a few German makes that still make RWD work acceptably. I
>find it odd that manufactures don't get a clue and reinvent the Monte
>Carlo/Chevelle, T-Bird/Fairlane, Charger/'Cuda or something. Of course,
they
>can't seem to reinvent anything under $30,000 a copy anymore so it's all a
>moot point.
>
>Mercury reinvents Cougar and what a featureless, bland, and uninspiring
car.
>There may be a glimmer of hope, though, as the next Mustang will have
>angular lines. Maybe the Jellybean era is closing. GM might get a clue in a
>decade.
>--
>Bob Allen, Kansas City, '69CGT, '75TR6
>500+ LBC miles this weekend; 90% on 2 lane backroads. Life is good.
>
>
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