SEEING German-made cars on the roads – both in Europe and across the US – is a common sight, whether it be Volkswagen, BMW, or Mercedes.
However, the same cannot be said for their US-built equivalents, as a little-known reason is revealed for why Germany is driving US-made cars off the roads.
GettyPresident Trump revealed his theory as to why US cars do not sell well in the EU[/caption] GettyGermany is awash with German-built cars – but very fewer US-made equivalents[/caption]Speaking to reporters recently, Trump revealed his theory for why US cars do not sell well in the European Union.
He said: “They make it impossible to sell cars in the European Union.
“How many Chevrolets or Fords do you see in the middle of Munich?”
But the reasons are complicated and multifaceted, ranging from customer preferences and German regulations to the sheer size of the cars Americans love to drive.
In a recent report by The New York Times, Katharina Luca, a spokeswoman for ADAC, Germany’s automobile association, weighed in: “Of course, there are a few American vehicles on the road in Germany.
“Even in Munich, you sometimes see a Ram in city traffic.”
But size is a big factor, as while most European cities have their share of wide boulevards, they also feature narrow, winding streets awash with cyclists and pedestrians.
European countries also have different safety and regulatory standards, including the use of amber rear indicators instead of red – all of which add extra costs for US companies looking to enter the European market.
Matthias Schmidt, an auto analyst in Berlin, added: “Even if they did, they would soon be persuaded to leave when they read the European CO2 fleet emissions regulatory targets fine print.
“US manufacturers would have real issues meeting these regulatory standards with their current product portfolio.”
Parking is also a major issue.
A Ram 1500 pickup truck, for example, is roughly three feet longer and two inches wider than the standard German parking space.
This makes fitting into one a tight squeeze.
Americans also tend to drive longer distances at lower regulated speeds than most Germans – meaning there is a greater priority on interior design, such as cup holders, their size, and quantity.
What is more, fuel prices are a factor, as Germans pay an average of about $1.41 per litre of petrol, which translates to $5.50 per gallon.
That is in stark contrast to the average price of petrol in the US, which was $3.10 per gallon last week.
Many American automakers, including General Motors and Ford, have struggled in Europe.
GM sold its European brand, including Opel in Germany, in 2017 and stopped selling almost all Chevrolet models in Europe.
Meanwhile, Ford is investing $2 billion to transform its plant in Cologne, Germany, into an “electric vehicle centre.”
Trump has cited auto imports as a reason for the trade imbalance between the US and Europe, but many of the German cars on US roads were made at factories in Alabama, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
All of BMW’s X series SUVs are built in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and BMW exported about $10.1 billion worth of them in 2023 – making it one of the largest US car exporters.
What is more, the Munich-based automaker does not lay claim to the most popular electric SUV in Germany; Tesla’s Model Y, produced just outside Berlin.
Cars being discontinued for 2025 and 2026
Dozens of cars won't make it to the 2025 model year, including sedans, some SUVs, and sports cars.
Cars that are on the chopping block for next year are:
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (sedan) Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio (SUV) Audi A4 (sedan) Audi A5 Coupe/Cabrio (2-door sedan) BMW X3M (SUV) BMW M8 Coupe Bugatti Chiron Chevrolet Camaro Chevrolet Malibu Ferarri SF90 Stradale Ferarri 812 GTS Fisker Ocean (EV) Ford Escape Ford Edge Infiniti Q50 Jaguar XE and XF sedans Jaguar F-Type Jaguar I-Pace electric SUV and E-Pace Lamborghini Huracán Maserati Ghibli Mitsubishi Mirage Mini Clubman Nissan Altima Nissan GT-R Nissan Titan Ram 1500 TRX Toyota Supra (4-cylinder) Toyota Venza Volvo S60 Read More Details
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