Now, if we trust Hollywood, reindeer power does not translate directly into horsepower, so our comparisons may fall short. Several propaganda movies have been made to show how old school reindeer just get the job done better than an engine, for example. But come on – you and I both know that Santa loves his tech. After all, he keeps on leaving brand new smartphones for kids all over the world.

With that in mind, today we are taking a look at some of Santa’s sleigh upgrades throughout the years. He might keep showing his reindeer off, but let’s see what he is driving when no one is looking!

Santa loves luxury

The bearded jolly old man may like to give children toys and gifts, but he treats himself as well. And no, I am not talking just about those cookies and milk next to a Christmas tree. He just likes having a comfortable ride in a reliable vehicle. Which is why he has a Lexus in his arsenal!

With that said, I would not call his Lexus sleigh exactly imaginative. I mean, for a luxury brand you would expect more attention to detail. Instead, they just slapped on a red LED for a nose and added some rails to call their LC model a sleigh.

Still, I have to give it to the automaker in terms of power – with 800 reindeer power and a hybrid engine, this thing travels fast. Plus, it shows they care about the polar ice caps, which Santa also adores. So while in terms of design Toyota (and Lexus) do fall a bit short, they make up for it in all the other important aspects!

Santa’s daily workhorse – A trusty pickup truck

Before Santa had the resources to go into luxury cars, he had to make do with cheap, but trusty alternatives. And what better to replace a sleigh than a pickup truck?

Truth be told, I cannot just give you a single model, because Santa has a few of them. He understands pickup truck classes and likely has one of each to fit his needs. From the smallest half-ton Chevrolet of the ’40s to the heavy-duty GMC Sierra, Father Christmas knows what to choose for his yearly hauling needs!

In my opinion, if Santa has to ever bet on a single vehicle, a pickup would be the obvious go-to. Though he might want to consider something with a bit more presence. Perhaps the F-350 Raptor?

Honorable mentions

Prior to revealing my all-time favorite Santa machine, we should also note some other vehicles in the (in)famous North Pole garage.

• Jaguar F-Type (and F-Sleigh)

Naturally, many companies want to get on Santa’s “nice” list. Because of this, they make up prototypes for him to try out (though I am sure bribery counts as “naughty”). Of all the prototypes though, Jaguar F-Sleigh actually takes a different route. They made it out of ice! So, yes, not exactly operable, but props to Jaguar for thinking outside the box.

• Mercedes GLK (or GLSleigh)

For all we can tell, Saint Nicholas looks like a humble person. That being said, sometimes people judge your presence by the type of car you drive. Thus, for occasions where looks matter, Mercedes-Benz has gifted Santa with a proper luxury off-road machine. Not sure if he brags about it, but it doesn’t hurt to have it just in case!

• Ford Fusion/Mondeo Sleigh

Since Ford knows it cannot compete on the luxury level, the carmaker has chosen a different strategy. Its version of Santa’s sleigh bets on practicality. Over the years Ford has offered Kringle several versions of its affordable sedan, but whether Santa actually drives any of them… no one knows.

Muscle and looks – The best sleigh in Santa’s collection

If you have been following our blog for a while now, you know the love we have for muscle cars like Ford Mustang. That being said, Santa prefers Dodge. More specifically, he likes to ride around in a Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye Express.

Let me tell you, this beast blows away all of Santa’s reindeer and then some! With its 786 hp, the car-sleigh is almost 100 times as fast. Okay, I get it, those reindeer might be getting some special juice to bump their power-up, but even so, they are no match. The only drawback to the Hellcat version of the sleigh? Santa gets so pumped up about it that he actually forgets to do his job on Christmas Eve. So, reluctantly, he leaves this one in the garage for the time being!

With all that said, considering how many sleighs Father Christmas has, that toy manufacturing business turns out to be raking quite the profit. Who knew! But which of the engine-powered sleighs in this article do you like the most? Or would you rather Santa stick to his trusty old reindeer?

The post Santa’s sleigh reimagined appeared first on Altered Steel.

US car manufacturers do not exactly have the best reputation with their vehicles right now. Thankfully, as Americans, we can be proud to have plenty of iconic models throughout the years. So much so that we can have a heated discussion about which are the most remarkable out of the bunch. Well, shall we do just that?

At Altered Steel, we have a special place for all kinds of vintage cars. We have mentioned our favorite vintage SUVs, and we have explored the history of the American sedan. However, I think it is high time we talk about America’s most iconic classic cars… according to us! What do you say, are you up for a bit of time travel? Let’s go back a good few decades then!

More than fancy old cars

The problem with many such lists is that they take the most famous sports cars and slap them right at the top. It is not like vintage sports vehicles are not impressive or iconic though. I just like to think that the car world has more things going for it.

This is why today we’ll explore a bit of a different list. I would rather we don’t rank the vehicles, but instead, cherish each and every one of them. I will separate them into categories and pick the three most iconic models within those.

That being said, some seemingly obvious picks will actually not be on this list. You may be surprised to find that the Ford Model T or the classic Corvette that everyone wants haven’t made the cut. Don’t worry though – it is not because they are not iconic, but because they may be overly so. We should give a chance to some other models to shine, right? With this out of the way, we can dive straight into our first picks!

America’s most iconic muscle cars

Given my remark about sports cars, how come I open up the list with such a category? See, the point here is not to dwell on “sports”, but on “muscle”. All over the world, people know what muscles are. On top of that, they associate them with the States. This might as well be the only category that represents the quintessential American spirit. Due to all that I figured they make the best introduction to our list!

The undefeated stallion – Ford Mustang

Come on, which car marque and model better represents the US outside of our homeland? The original Mustang can take your breath away even now. It is one mean machine, which knows how to roar and announce itself. And not just here!

Have you ever had the pleasure to travel outside of the States and see how people react to Mustangs? For a few reasons, American muscle cars in Europe are still fairly rare. Still, people turn their heads when they see a Mustang. Though we actually have it better here, because you can still see the classic ones. They do not get to enjoy many of those on the Old Continent!

The special contender – Dodge Charger

Some cars simply do not get enough credit. In my opinion, Dodge Charger is one of those. Right from the start, it was a vehicle that broke the mold. Love it or hate it, but it was unique! With a bold design and aggressive build, it stormed the scene. To this day it makes for the perfect muscle example.

Unfortunately, it has never been as popular as the Mustang. The latter had tenfold the sales. Though perhaps that makes the Charger an even more precious classic. Being a gem like no other, it deserves a spot here!

The worthy rival – Chevrolet Camaro

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It has never been a secret that the Camaro was Chevrolet’s response to the Mustang. In fact, even though it may sound sacrilegious, I think the two models are kind of similar. This is why I enjoy the Charger so much – it walked its own path. Still, the Camaro is nothing if not iconic.

To illustrate my point, I want to draw your attention to the second generation of the Chevrolet Camaro. This car cemented the idea of what a muscle should be. It deserves a lot of credit for the fact that we can even talk about iconic muscle cars today. However, we should move on to a category that does not get nearly enough attention!

The classic old workhorses

All this fancy car talk is nice, but we often forget about the cars that virtually carried the US on their shoulders. After all, should we not focus more on vehicles that the general public could afford and actually drove? In my mind, they are “iconic” exactly because of their utilitarian nature!

The forgotten kind – AMC Eagle

Estate wagons may not be the most popular picks in the States today, but once upon a time they were preferable. Before we had tons of minivans and SUVs, the AMC Eagle was the perfect choice for a family person. It offered plenty of space, a lot of utility and it actually did not look half-bad.

In fact, some people consider the AMC Eagle to be the de facto predecessor of modern crossovers. In other words – we may owe the rise of the crossover and SUV segments to this very car. It had everything necessary for that with its 4-wheel drive and fairly high frame. Honestly, I think it looks rather charming even by today’s standards. Sure, nothing like a slick European station wagon, but impressive in its own way.

The poster minivan – Dodge Caravan

We don’t see many minivans nowadays. The niche has shrunk tremendously in the past decade, largely due to SUVs. And yet, minivans were the poster examples of the American dream. They embodied your success – you had a big family, you owned a house, you bought a minivan.

In light of that, there is no better minivan example than the very Dodge Caravan. Though we could also mention Plymouth (or Chrysler) Voyager, which were essentially the same car. The first generation sold incredibly well with over a million vehicles bought. Funny enough, when Chrysler was researching public demand, people considered the sketches of Dodge Caravan to be super ugly. Seems like that did not matter much, as we now view it as one of the most iconic US cars ever.

The granddaddy of pickups – Ford F1

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Pickups are the muscle cars of America’s workhorse vehicles. They scream “proud to be American” like nothing else. That all started with the first generation of Ford F-series, and more precisely – Ford F1. It may have little to do with modern pickup designs, but it carries their spirit regardless.

Objectively, the F1 is rather small. Yet it paved the way for monsters like Dodge Ram and Ford Raptor. People cherish it even now, with its price being close to that of classic muscles. It does look quite cute, so if you are in the market for a non-sporty vintage car, consider Ford F1!

Riding in style – Iconic luxury classics

Whether you look at modern vehicles or at vintage cars, the luxury segment always has something special to show. Many aspects of it are timeless, and some classics would be considered luxury by our standards too. Let’s see the most iconic examples that America has to show here!

The one fit for presidents – Lincoln Continental

As a car company, Ford has pioneered and pushed forward many types of vehicles. On top of that, many of its Lincoln cars are worthwhile classics in general. And yet, the Continental is the best example of what high-class cars should look like.

This is not one of those vehicles that you look forward to driving – with it you would need a chauffeur. Just sitting in one of those will make you feel important. No wonder that many other luxury cars were trying to be more like Lincoln Continental. Making one feel like a president sounds like a good selling point.

When you fancy something slick – Cadillac Eldorado

If you were not meant to drive the last car, this one is a whole another story. It is a very personal vehicle, which made people feel like rock stars. In fact, this car made Cadillac famous throughout the world. In many places, the marque’s name is synonymous with luxury because of it. Obviously, “iconic” is a well-deserved description.

Old-school futurism – Oldsmobile Toronado

I bet that most people have not heard of the Toronado. However, as we have mentioned in our post on the end of Oldsmobile, this company had had many great achievements. The Toronado model perfectly embodies their very future-minded philosophy.

The problem with this car is that it may have been too unique for its own good. Later on, Oldsmobile changed the design to fit with its competition. In my opinion, they just watered down what had been a great aesthetic. Nonetheless, it is iconic, because it represents the very American ideal of innovation and grand dreams!

What other iconic classic cars should we remember?

People have different vintage models that they love. Maybe you wanted to see some Buicks on the list. Or perhaps you are worried that I have not mentioned Pontiac at all. Well, we can always come up with another post to showcase more of the great American models.

What should those be though? There are many old vehicles that I like, but I am eager to learn about some others too. If you have a model that is close to your heart, be sure to mention it. Perhaps I will cover it one day!

The post America’s most iconic classic cars appeared first on Altered Steel.

Today’s vehicle of focus makes that abundantly clear. Although we have ranked Ford Mustang among America’s most iconic classic cars, many people despise what the model has become. They would say it no longer carries the old, gritty spirit with its pedal-to-the-metal vibe. Once a stallion you had to tame, now barely worthy of its name.

But is that true? Has the Mustang shed away its character with each new generation? Or maybe some of us just prefer being glued to the past? Hop on, we are going on a ride to find that out!

Is Mustang the first pony car?

Depending on who you ask, the iconic Ford model may have been a tad too late to the party. Technically, Plymouth Barracuda claims to be first, having come out two weeks before the Mustang. We can argue back and forth about how we count that, but it matters little.

Ultimately, the Barracuda failed, while the Mustang proved just how much potential pony cars have. After all, we do call them ponies, not “fish cars” for a reason.

The Ford model became a quick success, selling over a million vehicles in two short years. That being said, after six generations and more than 50 years on the market, the model sales have been steadily declining. Somehow the Mustang failed to carry the initial success through the decades. Did the changes really ruin the model?

How did the Mustang change through the years?

Even a few thousand words would not do this question justice, let alone a brief overview. Nevertheless, I will try to summarize the evolution. Wish me luck!

• First-gen Ford Mustang (1965 – 1973)

The original Mustang still holds the title for the most units sold. Its more basic versions are fairly cheap muscle cars that can make you feel rich. Though it really depends on what year make you get. It saw so many changes that some would have passed as entirely new generations by today’s standards. Ultimately, the first-gen finished with 375 bhp top V8 engine and 0-60 mph acceleration of 4.9s.

• Second-gen Ford Mustang (1974 – 1978)

On the one hand, this car built upon its predecessor’s success with over a million sales as well. On the other hand, enthusiasts do not regard it all that well. Ford had dumbed the exterior down, not to mention how boring the engine options were.

Some versions came with just around 90 hp. Even its top V8 engine only had 140 hp and took 10.5 s to get to 60mph. Seems like a bad joke compared to the original!

• Third- and fourth-gen Ford Mustang (1979 – 1993; 1994 – 2004)

Design-wise both versions are huge deviations from the initial muscle aesthetic. In terms of power, the third-gen managed to improve a bit on the second, but not by much. The fourth-gen started seeing some return to form though. The speediest versions had 390 hp and could go from 0-60 mph in 4.9s.

Many fans think that during those generations the model went from a pony car to one big confusing mess. It looked less like a muscle, more like a general everyday coupe. Surprisingly though, the third-gen sold almost as many units as the first one, and the fourth passed the million mark too.

• Fifth-gen Ford Mustang (2005 – 2014)

Thankfully, in 2005 the model veered away from complete disaster. Its design took inspiration from the original with engines and performance to match the looks. That proved enough to save the lineup, though sales continued to decline. For its 10 years on the market, it barely went over 1,000,000 cars.

The main reason for this has to do with Ford’s inability to produce a solid concept. The automaker wanted it to be simultaneously affordable, yet with a bunch of luxury features. Ultimately, Ford could not strike the balance between comfort and performance, sacrificing certain aspects of the latter for the former.

• Sixth-gen Mustang (2015 – Today)

After three abysmal generations and one that could not find its identity for a while, the Mustang lineup finally produced a worthy successor. This is the first version that somehow blends modern design without doing away with its heritage.

It drives like a sports car, looks like a beast, and does not feel hampered in any way. With its 5L V8 (460 hp) going from 0 to 60 takes you just 4.2s. At the same time, it gives you just enough comfort, without unnecessary luxury additions to drive the price up. In other words – it embodies the spirit of what the pony car was made to be: affordable, fast, and aesthetically aggressive.

• The oddball Mustang SUV (2021?)

I just had to mention this one. Oh, people never asked for a Mustang SUV? Guess Ford didn’t get the memo. Though the sixth-gen restored our faith in the model, Ford once again decides to muddy the waters by banking on Tesla eSUV’s success.

Making it an EV may have been the right decision, but slapping the Mustang logo on it is a step too far. They could have figured out another animal to start an entirely new lineup. Who knows, maybe it would have been iconic on its own. Now we see that Ford just doesn’t care about its lineup integrity. It makes me worry about the future of the stallion brand.

Which would you rather have – first or last-gen Ford Mustang?

Set aside the “classic” badge for a second. Instead consider this in terms of looks, performance, and overall experience. I know many people want to sound tough and say they prefer the good old ride. But have you actually driven one?

I would actually take the new-gen. The older I get the more I think of safety, which also includes the way a car drives. Handling, ease of use, responsiveness – these things matter more to me now. However, you may have an entirely different take. Tell me about it and maybe we can have a discussion!

By the way, if you want to scratch your muscle car itch even further, check out our article on the age-old argument: Camaro vs Firebird!

The post Mustang vs. Mustang: The evolution of Ford’s iconic pony car appeared first on Altered Steel.

Naturally, due to competition, many models fade away. Take Pontiac Firebird, for example. It managed to hold its own for decades, but it ultimately came to an end by the early 2000s. Its sister model – Chevrolet Camaro – also got discontinued around the same time. The difference? Several years later the Chevy came back with a bang. No such luck for Pontiac!

So, after long decades of sibling rivalry, the verdict came – the Camaro turned out the better car. But is it? Let us explore the history of both models and see which comes on top!

Which came first – Firebird or Camaro?

Although this question has little to do with any car’s quality, it makes for a good history lesson. We can see how the two models came to be and where they diverged.

Technically, the Camaro carries the first-born mantle, being introduced in September 1966 to rival the Mustang. Several months later came the Firebird in response to Mercury Cougar. It was built upon Camaro’s platform and the original generations of both vehicles carry a lot of similarities.

For instance, they share engine designs. GM took some of Chevy’s engines, modded them slightly, and put them in the Firebird. To be fair, those modifications provided serious output advantages in some cases. Considering their close characteristics and design, we cannot help but wonder…

What is the difference between the two models?

Most people consider both vehicles to be largely one and the same. You just pick your preferred design and roll with it. However, that misses the details.

Historically, the Firebird serves as GM’s more luxurious version of the Camaro, much like Mercury was to Ford. So, they did not cover the same market segment. Today we see a lot of companies doing the same – using different marques for their high-end vehicles.

Because of this, the Firebird was more expensive, with a spruced-up interior. Minor tweaks here and there also made it seem more premium.

GM had an entirely different philosophy behind the Camaro. It was one of those cheap muscle cars that make you feel rich. That made it extremely successful, as it turned out many folks want to drive a sports car, they just don’t want to pay the premium. This is why the entire pony car segment became such a hit.

Now you may think that the Firebird automatically gets the “better car” title by virtue of being the step-up model. Not so fast!

Chevrolet Camaro vs Pontiac Firebird – Which is better?

Now, what does “better” even mean? In my opinion, it depends on the actual driver and their needs. So, let us break down the comparison by categories!

• Price – This is easy. All things considered, the Camaro gave you more bang for your buck back in the day. No wonder it sold about 200,000 more units than the Firebird.
• Comfort – Don’t write the Camaro off this category just yet. On a dollar-by-dollar basis, it may have come slightly ahead, since it also had higher trims. Still, people who wanted ultimate luxury picked up the Firebird.
• Power – Now the difficult part… Both models actually trade blows here. The Pontiac came with a better basic engine, and it did offer a lot of powerful options. However, Camaro simply had the richer catalog. Its SS versions came with up to 375 hp, compared to Firebird’s 345 hp on its top engine. When it comes to the rarest and most powerful versions, Chevy still wins with 550 hp vs 500 hp on the Pontiac.

With all that said, we have only been taking a historical look at the two. If you are considering buying one now, things get more complicated. For one, first-gen Camaros tend to hold higher prices, especially for the top models. You can now buy a top trim Firebird for less money than some Camaros.

Do you prefer Camaro or Firebird?

Chevrolet Camaro has made our list of America’s most iconic classic cars for a good reason. Affordable, yet sporty, it won the hearts of many. But that does not necessarily mean it trumps the Firebird. If I had to pick between the two right now, I would go for a Firebird.

Firstly, you can get it for less money. Secondly, it can be considered a fairly exotic vehicle. Fewer folks have heard about it, and you would not see it that often on the street. Finally, I just prefer its interior, it looks classier to me. And honestly, when buying a classic car, very few people are concerned about it being a racing machine.

But which do you prefer? Would you rather the more iconic Camaro or is the Firebird closer to your heart?

The post An age-old argument: Firebird vs Camaro appeared first on Altered Steel.

No wonder then that a road trip serves as a great example of an iconic American adventure. A country so vast just makes you want to explore it from end to end. Some people take it a step farther and start living the vanlife, roaming the States.

Today we are hopping on an adventure of our own. Join me as I explore some epic rides to take you on a trip across the US. With them, the thrill is certain!

What is the best vehicle for a road trip?

Before I share my favorite picks with you, we should discuss some criteria. That being said, they will differ from person to person. Here is my list of requirements:

• Comfort – The longer the trip the more important it becomes. Sure, you can roam around in a small city car, but I doubt you would enjoy the experience. That makes comfort my number one criterion.
• Reliability – You do not want your car to break down in the middle of nowhere. And in the case that it does, you want it to be easy to repair.
• Utility – The ride you pick has to cover all of your needs. If you have a big family, a coupe will hardly make sense. However, if you are just with your significant other, a grand tourer offers plenty of utility. Yet a race car would likely offer you close to zero in that regard. This is why I have a variety of picks for people in different situations.

Of course, we can add tons of other necessities. Still, I think I have mentioned the most common for all people, while others would be on a case-by-case basis. Now that you know what I am looking for, let’s see our choice of epic cars for an epic road trip.

Volkswagen Minibus – The staple pick

Okay, this may be a bit cliché, but no road trip list would be complete without the VW Minibus. So, I decided to be open and put it straight at the top.

Nevertheless, I have a twist for you. While finding an old Minibus is a tough job, the gem will be revived sometime soon. But you have other options as well. Some VW Transporter vans are available on the used market, so maybe try those out. They would make for an awesome road trip experience.

Audi RS6 Avant – For the luxury enthusiast

All luxury brands advertise high comfort. What do they lack? They often do not have a lot of utility, and reliability also tends to be on the bad side. Not with the RS6!

This wagon offers a lot of space, tons of comfort, luxury extras, and… speed! Yes, this is the Swiss Army Knife of sports cars. Even its reliability is above average in the luxury segment. You can have a truly epic road trip, especially if you plan to stick mainly to the interstate. If you want to veer off track, I have a different option for you!

Jeep Cherokee XJ – Have an off-road trip

One of the greatest things about the US is that one moment you can be on the road and then cruise along off-road routes the next. To do that effectively though, you would need a proper vehicle. For a couple, Jeep Wrangler YJ would be great. However, there is a more versatile choice – Cherokee XJ!

Used Jeeps make for the perfect road trip vehicles because you can do whatever you want with them. You can mod them to suit your needs, and mechanics all across the US can work on them. Plus, the XJ has plenty of space for you to load it up and take your kids if you wish!

Ford Mustang – The truly epic road trip experience

Muscle cars and road trips go together so well because they both feel a very US thing. And what better car to experience that than the Mustang? Of course, you can also go with a Camaro or a Challenger, but I prefer Ford for this kind of thing.

Is it comfortable though? Quite a lot actually! Even older versions offer a superb driving experience. Of course, it is not meant for a family trip, but a couple can have an amazing experience in this beast. Almost as if you have taken the idea out of a movie.

Toyota Tundra – The all-in-one solution

Most folks do not associate pickups with road trips. However, the Tundra is an epic vehicle that can actually make your trip as exciting as it gets. For starters, it can handle some rough terrain. Then you can also fill it up with stuff for different activities. And if you do not mind modding it, you could have a camper on your hands.

Honestly, if I had to pick one car, I would likely go with the Tundra. Comfort? Check. Reliability? You bet! Utility? Hey, it’s an off-roadworthy pickup! Summer, winter, the interstate, or rough terrain – you name it, the Tundra handles it!

What car should you pick for a road trip?

One thing lacking in my list is any kind of recreational vehicle. Why have I omitted them? Because while you can have an awesome vacation in one of those, they are simply not as versatile.

That being said, you can still have a great road trip with them. If you do not care about off-roading at all, and having a sportsy feel does nothing for you, by all means, buy or rent an RV for your trip. Still, I just do not feel they are “epic” enough to include them here.

Anyway, let’s put my picks to the side. Yes, I have given you some options, but maybe you have something different in mind. Do you have a specific car that you dream of taking on a road trip? Be sure to mention it. While you are at it, tell me about what makes a road trip “epic” for you!

The post Epic wheels for an epic road trip appeared first on Altered Steel.

For all their greatness, though, one thing bothers me about classics. We always seem to remember the most popular models. Everyone talks about America’s most iconic classics and how great they are. Don’t get me wrong; such models deserve their praise. But what about the hundreds of vehicles that have fallen by the wayside through the decades?

I think we will benefit a lot if we dig deeper into some of the forgotten vintage cars. In fact, they can reveal peculiar insights into why some models have fared better than others. Let’s check out the classics that history has kept out of the spotlight!

Everyday cars that history left behind

When people talk about vintage vehicles, they usually mention high-end models or sports cars. Yet the truth is that the real work gets done by people’s daily drivers. Unfortunately, that makes them less remarkable for most folks, hence, easier to forget with time. With that said, let us take a proper look at the car history’s most populous segment!

Studebaker Lark

Back in the day, the US automotive scene had more players competing for attention. Naturally, some of them, including Studebaker, met their downfall for one reason or another. That still does not mean they were terrible vehicles. In my opinion, the Lark was a perfectly good car for its time. It may not be anything groundbreaking, but as a family car, it was superb.

It is a bit sad that many people don’t even remember the Studebaker marque. The brand has its following, but it remains a niche. Though because of that, you can get a great classic model for quite a low price. Plus, you have three generations of Studebaker Lark, from which to choose!

Citroën GS

Here in the States, we are not very familiar with French manufacturers such as Renault, Peugeot, and Citroën. It is likely that whatever French classic I mention, it will still be obscure to you. Nevertheless, the GS has an interestingly sad story that even Europeans don’t remember.

If you look at the stats, you would think the GS would be one of the most popular classics out there. After all, Citroën had 2.5 million of it sold. Not to mention it also won the 1971 European Car of the Year award as everybody liked its comfort and aerodynamics. Why was it forgotten then? Honestly, because by then, Europe was flooded with car models, even more so than the United States. Ultimately, the GS didn’t present anything unique and was just a decent small car amid an ocean of similar vehicles.

Ford Falcon

After a forgotten European model that used to be successful, it’s only fair to mention a US one. Here the Ford Falcon serves as the perfect example. At the time, it was extremely popular and actually made Ford an even more successful company. However, when people hear about the Falcon today, the most common reaction is, “Oh, yes, I think I remember that.”

Here are a couple of funny bits. Firstly, the Falcon was part of the same trend that the Lark tried to ride. Secondly, the model was inspired by some of Ford’s compact versions in Europe. They had success there a whole 15 years before such vehicles became popular on the US market.

Old-timey sports cars we forgot about

The classic car niche has plenty of variety when it comes to vehicle types. You can get luxury sedans, supercars, and the aforementioned daily drivers. Yet from all of those, I think that sports cars are the most exciting. Just consider this – several decades later, plenty of modern fast cars can lose to their “ancient” predecessors. Talk about the magnificence of old-days car engineering!

So, what are some sports cars that did not make the cut for the world’s finest classics, and why? Here are a few great examples:

Volkswagen Karmann Ghia

One of the most interesting things about this model is that it should not have been forgotten. For a sports car, it was fairly popular at the time. Actually, VW Karmann Ghia was more successful than many Porsche models. What went wrong then? We can only speculate!

Many associate the VW brand with budget cars, not sports models. Having Karman Ghia built on the VW Beetle platform didn’t help that notion either. The company just never aligned itself with the idea of producing sports cars. Though the Ghia had a good run of 20 years with a decent reputation, it failed to stay in people’s minds.

Sunbeam Tiger

I bet most people have never heard of this car marque. It has British origins, though the Tiger was designed in part by Carroll Shelby of Mustang fame. This model is considered the beefed-up version of Sunbeam Alpine, which is not that hard to find nowadays.

As far as specs go, the Tiger sported a Ford V8 engine with 164 bhp. That gave it some punch and made it faster than a lot of the first-gen Porsche 911 units. However, having a promising model did not help the company all that much. It virtually went extinct as Chrysler took it over in 1967. Though the new management tried to resurrect the model name, it had lost its momentum.

Today, you can find some Sunbeam cars without much trouble. If you are in the market for an interesting, yet affordable classic, you may check the cheaper Sunbeam Alpine.

Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna

When you hear about a vintage Chevy, you most likely think of the classic Corvette that everyone wants. However, throughout the years, the company has come out with plenty of interesting models. I would even say that the Chevelle Laguna may as well be one of the coolest sports or muscle cars ever to hit the market.

With its top V8 engine, it had 245 hp. Although not the most powerful, it was capable of great feats. Cale Yarborough even won two NASCAR championships with it. Partly due to that, the model gained decent popularity and had about 110,000 sales by the end of its production.

Unfortunately, Chevrolet failed to distinguish it from the base Chevelle all that much. Their confusing lineup further messed with any attempt at proper branding. Unsurprisingly, the model was dropped after an almost 4-year run.

Mitsubishi Starion

In my post on remarkable Japanese classic cars, I mentioned Mazda RX-7 as the poster Japanese sports vehicle. Well, the Starion is Mitsubishi’s attempt to get a cut of the sports car pie. Sadly, it did not go well.

Many people considered the Starion to be too much of a copy of its competitors. The model also came a bit too late to the game, with at least five other marques occupying the niche already. To make things worse, the Starion had so many versions that it became a lineup of its own. However, it ended up selling less than 60 thousand models. Quite the poor numbers, compared to Mazda RX-7’s 800 thousand!

Oddballs that rightly did not make it

While some cars get forgotten because of unfortunate circumstances, others fall into oblivion more because of what they are. Certain models were designed to be so weird, most people never actually cared about them. Let’s see a couple.

GMC Sprint

Most car enthusiasts today know about Chevrolet El Camino. It is largely regarded as one of the ugliest and weirdest vehicles ever to be designed. Well, at least history remembers it. We cannot say the same about the Sprint.

The two vehicles are pretty much the same, though the GMC Sprint has some slight redesigns. In my opinion, they make the car even weirder. I have no idea why General Motors decided to have a rebadged model of an already badly executed car. Well, at least the Sprint went away only after two generations, unlike the El Camino, which held for five!

GMC Syclone

General Motor’s infatuation with weird pickups does not end with the Sprint. This time around, we have an even more obscure vehicle with less than 3,000 units produced. GMC Syclone only recently gained its classic status, though it has always had a small fanbase.

We still have to give credit where credit is due. This pickup did become the fastest stock pickup at the time. With its 280 hp V6 engine, it could go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3s. This is impressive even today, so back in 1991, it deserved the attention car enthusiasts gave it. Regardless of that, nowadays, most people do not even know it exists.

Which forgotten classic ignites your memory?

I have always been drawn to less popular things because, in my mind, they feel more special. However, many of the models mentioned today don’t exactly fit my taste. If I had to pick one, though, I would go with the Chevelle Laguna. It can actually pass as a muscle, so that’s nice. Plus, it has rotating seats. A bit gimmicky, I know, but it’s still a fun feature to try out!

What would you pick out of our list? Or maybe you have your own favorite unknown classic? I know many other models need the spotlight. Be sure to mention it if you have one on your mind!

The post Classic cars you didn’t know existed appeared first on Altered Steel.

When Europeans think of American cars they don’t picture a Ford Escort. Nope. What comes to their mind is a mighty beast, such as the Mustang. Natural selection has determined these monsters will make their ripple through history.

Although muscle cars were way more popular back in the day, there is sort of a resurgence nowadays. It started in the early 2000s and hadn’t died since. But is there a market for these cars in Europe? Let’s see.

Don’t Europeans have their own muscle?

Let’s clear this question first. It all depends on how you look at it. To be honest, many European vehicles can fit in the broader description of a muscle. Are they considered such though? Not really.

Europeans think of cars more in terms of their use. It means that broadly speaking you’ll find three kinds of vehicles there – regular everyday cars, sports cars, and luxury cars. If you are willing to break these down even further, sure, you could label some of them as “muscle.” But most people don’t.

Even official company websites market their American muscle as sports cars in Europe. The term “muscle” is nowhere to be found. So there you have it.

With all that being said, the European demand for aggressive-looking, high-torque, high-power vehicles is on the rise. A lot of German car manufacturers have come up with their own versions of would-be muscle cars. So it won’t come as a surprise if the term sticks in the near future.

The most popular American muscle cars

Let me first say that I won’t be covering the classic models. I want to focus on vehicles you can get your hands on today. For a reasonable price that is.

Furthermore, for the sake of brevity, I will have to include similar models under one heading. So don’t get mad if I don’t mention every single Camaro or Shelby variant. But let’s get going!

Ford Mustang – The true American stallion

This car easily makes the top 3 of the most popular muscle cars in Europe. It has many variations, but the iconic logo has a place in every car enthusiast’s heart on the east side of the Atlantic. And that is the non-Shelby variant.

Interestingly, the Ford Mustang isn’t even among the most powerful or most expensive muscles. But is it beautiful? Of course. Add that to the fact that the new Mustang GT can get from zero to sixty in 4.3s, and you have a beast of a car. It also comes heavily sprinkled with the American spirit.

The Mustang gets a fair amount of love in Europe. It is among the best-selling “sporty” vehicles in Germany. Its UK version isn’t far behind either. And due to its reasonable price, many young people find it quite affordable. So it is indeed a good opening pick for today’s list.

As for the Shelby iterations, many of which aren’t even called Mustangs anymore – they are mostly left for Americans to enjoy. I’ll tell you why later, but here’s a hint: European regulations.

Chevrolet Camaro – You can never get enough

Camaro is another model that sits well in the minds of Europeans. There are so many variations of it that I can’t do it justice. Whatever you go with though, one thing is for certain – that’s the real muscle.

An interesting is the division in opinions people have about this vehicle. There is a very devout group of enthusiasts who fervently defend the old (read “classic”) look of this machine. Then again, fans of the new visual iteration aren’t a small number either.

While I don’t have any specific figures, it is almost certain that the Camaro sells a bit worse than the Mustang. This applies to both the US and European markets. But that’s largely due to the fair price difference. Still, it more than deserves a spot on our list.

Dodge Challenger – What muscle is all about

Many people consider this model to be the go-to muscle car of the modern age. Why? Because for a lot of folks it’s the only modern vehicle that can be called a true heir to the muscles of old. One reason is that it’s not afraid to have a not-so-modern look. The other? Power!

Its technical specs are a thing to behold. There are models, which exceed 700 HP. Impressive! But what does this mean in the real world? 3.5s to 60mph! This is what I call fast.

Sadly though, Dodge doesn’t sell well in Europe. They no longer market the latest Challenger models (among many others) on The Old Continent. So the only way to get one is through imports. But the price increase that comes with it isn’t small, which makes it hard to beat what Ford and Chevrolet are currently offering.

However, not being the most purchased vehicle doesn’t make it less famous. People still know it, and enthusiasts have a place in their hearts for it. So does our list!

Dodge Charger – The controversial pick

I know that this model has a bit of controversy about it. First, there is the whole debate of whether it’s a muscle at all. Some people consider it a sporty sedan, for others, it is way too big to be called a muscle. But then again, the new 707 HP Hellcat model doesn’t really sound like a family car.

But do Europeans know it? They sure do. Not as much as the previous three though. It often gets mistaken for a Challenger. And just like it, it isn’t marketed in Europe. Which is sad, because it could have been more affordable than a top of the line Camaro.

It is quite the opposite in the US. Millennials have quite the love for Dodge and the Charger in particular. So let’s give our respect to this beast.

Why aren’t there more muscle cars in Europe?

We have exhausted our list of muscle cars. Yes, that’s right. I know there are more worthy mentions, but most of them aren’t known in Europe. And there is an actual reason why this is the case.

Remember that we mentioned Shelby isn’t really sold on The Old Continent? And that Dodge has withdrawn from marketing their latest models there? A big reason is European regulations.

A car in Europe has to have a certain level of efficiency and is not to surpass the set exhaust emissions. If it does, you have to pay quite the premium for it (i.e. high taxes and all that).

But how come Camaro and Mustang find their way on the market? It’s because they manufacture specially designed European models. And sometimes they differ quite a lot from their US counterparts.

Exhaust emissions are just the beginning. A lot of times the European models have less horsepower, better mile-per-gallon ratio, and use different materials in their manufacturing process.

This begs the question if we can even consider such cars “American muscle”. But really, can we stamp a nationality to any car?

What is the alternative?

Frankly speaking, there probably isn’t one. Think about it, what makes a muscle car? Some would say the sound of the engine, for example. But it comes at a price: higher fuel consumption, higher exhaust emissions, etc.

Yet, there are some models, which have tried to look the part. The Mustang EcoBoost is one such. But would you consider it a muscle? Most people wouldn’t. And I don’t blame them.

With muscle cars there is something more than looks – it’s the spirit. The American spirit. And of course, we don’t want a dead pony; we want a state-of-the-art, roaring-like-thunder beast of a machine. But you just don’t get that by compromising.

However, Europeans see it differently. They want a safe car, which is fast, meets the regulations and doesn’t use up fuel as much. Did we also mention that it has to be fast?

Well, “fast” has a different meaning on The Old Continent. It’s not all about horsepower. If it feels good, accelerates well, and gives you the chills. It’s fast enough. Exactly how fast is not important.

That’s why EcoBoost has a nice niche market there. And do you know what else has such a market? Tesla.

Really? Tesla?

Yes, the company doesn’t have muscle cars. Some would even consider it a stretch to say it produces speed-oriented vehicles. But with 400+ horsepower under the hood, it’s not far off to say that Tesla offers some pretty solid choices. And Europeans are digging them.

Considering everything we’ve said so far, is this even a surprise? People in the UK, Germany, France, and the like aren’t raised on big, bulky, high-throttle vehicles. What they are actually used to is more luxurious, compact, but fast cars.

Tesla S can be found in many variations, some with a lot of luxury in mind. And engine power is pretty great, as we mention. But with an SUV and another luxury model on the horizon, Tesla is more likely to take on the European market than the likes of Dodge.

Conclusion

So there you have it. Muscles have their place in Europe, but it might not hold for long. Specially designed Mustangs and Camaros may still be around in ten years, but European manufacturers continue to run the show. Japanese vehicles are close after, and Tesla is a rising star.

Ladies and gents, we may be on the brink of a complete muscle car redesign once again. Strict environmental regulations may hit the US as well. What will happen to our favorite cars then? I don’t know.

But I do know I am looking forward to an environment-friendly, lightning-fast, engine-roaring beast. And yes, if it could keep its horsepower of 700+, it would be great.

The post American muscle cars in Europe appeared first on Altered Steel.

People already know that the rise of the crossover has begun. But before crossovers, there were SUVs. Some of those monsters have survived through the years to give us a lesson in hardcore car design. I invite you to take a seat with me. Together we will explore the off-roaders of the ages past!

What constitutes a vintage SUV?

Of course, I have to mention a few things about which cars fit the bill with the term “vintage”. Some heavy purists would not count anything younger than the Cold War. Others would consider their 15-year-old Land Cruiser to be pretty “vintage” already. How do we solve that?

As with many other things in life, I figured that we should take the middle ground here. The law has determined what a classic car is and I think it will serve us fine. So what is it? Anything older than 25 years.

Here is a thread that you will notice in this article – the SUVs that we know today have little to do with their predecessors. They differ in both aesthetics and purpose. I suspect that somewhere along the way the whole SUV term changed its meaning. To be fair, modern “sport utility vehicles” are not much about sport or utility. This makes it even more interesting to see where this category of vehicles came from. Let’s start with the first entry on our list!

Case in point – Toyota J40

I was not joking when I told you that people had a very different idea for these vehicles back in the day. So what can better illustrate that than a car, which has its own modern equivalent? If the J40 model name does not ring a bell, I bet its more famous alternative will. I am talking about Toyota Land Cruiser 40!

Obviously, most people will never guess that the J40 has anything to do with modern-day LCs. When you hear Land Cruiser you imagine a big monstrosity that can take your whole family for a ride. Thankfully, even the modern LC retains some of its off-road capabilities, though nothing close to the J40.

Interestingly enough, the Jeep-like Toyota garners a lot of attention even today. People are still using it in their off-road pursuits. Plus it was such a success that it had a 24-year manufacturing run. I always find it interesting when vintage vehicles are still performing well (sometimes even better than modern cars). It goes to show that back in the day vehicle development had a much different focus.

If you are wondering how this small off-roader became the huge Land Cruiser of today, you would not be alone. Technically there is no true continuation. The current line of LCs started with the J50, which was produced alongside J40. The true successor of the latter is the J70 model, but it is also fairly big and bulky. So I guess the desire for big cars can be traced quite far back!

The American workhorse – Ford Bronco

As far as iconic vehicles go, Ford Bronco is definitely up there. However, not all Bronco generations are that noteworthy. While all of them are considered classics, the fifth-gen is perhaps the most popular. However, today I want to focus our attention elsewhere.

The first-generation Ford Bronco is what piques my interest the most. It carries a lot of history with it. For example, its design elements are reminiscent of certain competitor models. That said, when it comes to vintage SUVs it seems like all of them had a similar look. So I cannot really fault Bronco for that.

Here we can also trace the trend of progressive vehicle growth. The first-gen was fairly compact, and the second one had already grown to a full-size SUV. That sounds very funny to me, but you can notice it with virtually all off-road vehicles. Even the RAV4 (which is fairly new, as far as models go) started out small and is now getting bigger with each gen.

Naturally, there is a reason for all that. Even though smaller vehicles can be arguably better off the road, people want to purchase more versatile cars. Ford failed to see that though. Other companies were quick to respond and the sales of the first-gen Bronco started to diminish.

This is how the second and third generations came to be. They were both bigger to accommodate the demand at the time. On top of that, they started leaning more towards on-road than off-road. Looking at Ford Bronco’s history you could tell why the current crossovers are a far cry from their predecessors. People do not really want off-road vehicles, they just like the look. This is even more evident in modern SUVs that are going electric.

Back to the off-road – Geo Tracker

We saw how the divide between off-road and on-road SUVs emerged. To this day both lines of vehicles exist in their own niches, with their own fan bases. Obviously, the on-road crowd is much bigger, but that does not mean that manufacturers have given up on off-road completely.

One car that has only recently become a classic is the Geo Tracker. It is highly likely that you are not familiar with it. You may have heard about the Chevrolet Tracker though. The Geo is basically Chevrolet before being rebranded.

What makes the Geo Tracker so interesting though? Plenty of things, actually! Firstly, it is Chevrolet in name only. In fact, it is Suzuki through and through. Secondly, the company developed it for Canada with the idea to provide a versatile compact vehicle. The crowd embraced it as it proved to be one of the best light trucks on the market.

Currently, the Tracker lives on with a Chevrolet name, but its actual successor is the Suzuki Vitara. It has a fairly loyal customer base, who loves the fact that it is sturdy, easy to maintain, and cheap at that. Though, as it is with most of the recent trends, many things around the vehicle are getting way too modernized for the worse.

The true SUV staple – Jeep CJ

Are you looking for the most iconic off-road vehicle ever? Then you should not look any further than the Jeep CJ. Sadly, the earlier generations are pretty hard to find and even the later ones are really sought after. Of course, that is not without reason!

The CJ model has proven itself to be one of the most reliable vehicles in history. A quick search will show you that it has been used for a wide variety of purposes. The military has adopted it, it has been through countless safaris, and some have even used it as an emergency vehicle. You would be hard-pressed to find a more versatile car that has spanned 30 years of improvement but has yet kept its spirit.

On top of that, you can see different CJ models in use even to this day. Provided that you take care of it, it can probably last through a couple more generations. Jeep CJ has become so popular that people around the world associate the off-road term with it. In many parts of Europe, the word “jeep” means SUV precisely because of the CJ!

The everyday British SUV – the original Range Rover

What do you think about when you hear “Range Rover”? If you are like me, you immediately make the connection to Land Rover, Jaguar, and most recently – Tata India. Furthermore, you probably think about their luxury modern SUVs. Truth be told they are my favorite crossovers in terms of design. But the Range Rover I have in mind today is a totally different beast!

The first-generation Range Rover stakes its claim as one of the best workhorses in SUV history. Among the reasons for that was its affordability. See, Jeep had already come up with the Wagoneer by that time. The problem with it? It was marketed as a luxury vehicle. Competitor models also targeted the upper segment of the market. So Land Rover saw the opening and decided to step up their game with an interesting offer.

As far as cars go, the Range Rover would have probably been considered mid-range in terms of price. But when it came to the SUV market, it was a steal! More people could afford a reliable car that can not only drive a family around town but would serve working folk just as well.

Sadly, with each subsequent generation, the car became more and more luxurious. This trend began by the end of the first-gen cycle with higher trims. Once Range Rover became popular and gained its own customer base, the people behind the company decided that they could just pump the price up. For better or worse the move proved a success and now we all know Range Rover to be one of the premium SUV marques.

Which vintage SUV catches your eye?

To say that this list is exhaustive would be a serious lie. I have left out dozens of notable vehicles, which are no less deserving. The VW Vanagon Synchro, for example, is an interesting one to check out. The International Harvester Scout also makes for a great honorable mention.

But I can only cover so much with an article. This is why I turn to you! What do you think are some great SUVs from the past? Do you have your own favorite, or do you think that vintage SUVs may even be overrated? I would be happy to hear your opinion!

The post Our favorite vintage SUVs appeared first on Altered Steel.

We need to have a serious talk about one such conundrum – Brexit. The topic has been a hot issue not just in Europe but all over the globe. It has so many intricacies that you can never know which areas may be affected. But with auto manufacturing being quite the big thing worldwide it is bound to suffer in some shape or form.

Today, we will explore what an economic disaster can do to our favorite industry. We will see how the UK can serve as an excellent example of why nowadays such issues cannot be contained within a country. They have ramifications on a global scale. Still, as it is with most things, there are two sides to the story!

The Brexit issue is a mess – here is why

Here in America, we have the luxury of not having to pay attention to the world. Of course, most of us have heard a thing or two about Brexit. That being said, we do not really understand what the fuss is all about. Allow me to shed some light.

People have compared the issue to a state wanting to break off the US. Yet this description fails to a significant degree. You see, the European Union is not exactly “The United States of Europe”. In fact, the UK has never really been “all-in” with the whole idea of unification. In other words, it has always kept one foot outside the EU. And now they want fully out. Or do they? Depending on who you ask, there are several different answers. And here lies the whole problem.

Not only are we, Americans, not aware of what Brexit means, but most Europeans (and Brits) have no idea either. When there is such confusion, business suffers. For example, since 2016 a lot of companies have removed their headquarters from London (and went to Ireland). However, it is one thing to transfer an office and completely another to mend an industry.

It has also been unveiled recently that the UK automotive industry may be bound to crash. Although Brexit is not entirely to blame, it was the problem that started it all. Honda has already closed a plant, and who knows what else may happen. Hence the question: if Brexit has effects on a global scale, will the UK auto industry crash affect us here in America, too?

What the UK car industry issues mean for the US

We can now get to the meat of the subject. No matter how big of a deal Brexit is for the British, first, we have to consider ourselves. Of course, we can have empathy for the people in Britain anyway. Yet if their car industry issues affect us greatly, the problem gains a much greater aura of urgency. So here we go!

For starters, Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota, and Honda have all expressed concerns about the situation. They believe that if the proper trade deal is not established before Brexit, their UK facilities will see a lot of issues. As I have mentioned, the façade is already starting to crack. As it goes, jobs will be lost, the output will decrease, and the companies will not be able to scout for talent from abroad.

All this only adds fuel to the already raging fire. The automotive industry in Britain has been taking hits since the announcement of Brexit two years ago. If this goes on more plants will likely shut down. But OK – this all sounds harsh, yet I have not said a single thing about it affecting the States. Well, it will…

• Firstly, closing a plant is expensive. Companies have emergency cushions to deal with such things, but on a large scale, this may still affect car prices worldwide. Considering the market shares that Toyota, Honda, and Nissan have, this may indeed be a cause for concern.
• Secondly, we have to mention that the UK is a huge exporter of premium vehicles. Marques such as McLaren, Aston Martin, Bentley, and Rolls-Royce are UK staples. If UK trade deals go up in flames, enthusiasts are going to have a problem.
• Thirdly, the supply chains will suffer greatly. That means delays, tariffs, more paperwork, and who knows what else. It all boils down to money loss. You can easily guess that someone has to pay the price.

Naturally, I would not blame you if you see these things as pointing to an obvious disaster. Still, you can relax a little bit. So far these are only speculations. See, there is another point, which we have not taken into account. It may just be that not everything will be doom and gloom.

The other side – perhaps not everything is so serious

Obviously, we live in an age where technology dictates everything. It is kind of foolish to think that a single country can disrupt the entire course of the industry in the long term. What is a business if not adaptable? We should not forget that sometimes the industries themselves cry wolf in hopes of clinging to the last penny. So it will do us good to approach the subject with critical eyes.

Some automotive experts claim that even the worst Brexit outcome will have no ramifications in the long run. That is because Britain would be forced to adhere to the terms of the World Trade Organization (WTO). And you know what? Even now 50% of Britain’s automotive trade goes through the WTO. The infrastructure and paperwork seem to be mostly in place. Will revenue suffer for a while? Perhaps. Yet how much – no one can say yet.

Of course, there will be new contracts and agreements. The US would have to strike different deals with the UK. Will these affect the average US consumer though? Honestly, I do not think so. Sure, some very high-end cars are UK-dependent, but most of us are not driving McLarens. Actually, do you have any idea which car companies come from the UK and actually depend on it? You would be surprised…

The best-known UK car marques – who owns them?

So far the British auto industry issue has been discussed as this enormous worldwide problem. Of course, as I have pointed out, there are two ways to look at it. It is either a disaster or not that big of a deal for most people. Yet I believe we should put this in more concrete terms. Namely by looking at the most important British car brands.

I have to preface this by saying that it is not worth it to look at volume manufacturers. They have plants all over the world, so their logistics are much more adaptable. It will be interesting to take a look at the UK luxury staples. Because it turns out that many of them may not be so “British” after all…

• Aston Martin – Because you want to feel like James Bond

This car marque is one of the UK icons and has long been associated with Agent 007. While it operates from the UK, it is actually not a British company (even though it used to be). Now it belongs partly to Ford (USA) and two other companies (from Kuwait and Italy respectively). It goes without saying that the brand cannot just cut its British ties. There is a significant chance that Brexit will cause some issues for it.

• Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover – British in name only

I have lumped the three marques together because they belong to one company – Tata (India). They used to be Ford subsidiaries, but that is no longer the case. Since transferring ownership, Tata has made great efforts to cut the brands’ British dependence. So if I have to guess, Brexit may not actually be such an issue for them after all.

• McLaren – The British supercar manufacturer

Truth be told, McLaren Automotive may as well be the British company to suffer the most. The reason for that? It is the only one that still remains British to this day. And it operates strictly from the UK. Yet they serve a worldwide clientele, which is very important, considering how small the UK market actually is. So if you have been planning to get a McLaren, you may not want to wait much longer.

• Bentley – The luxury car all big boys want

As one of the staple luxury UK brands, Bentley has received a lot of praise throughout the years. Interestingly enough, it is not UK-owned either. In fact, it is a subsidiary of VW. There are now Bentley assembly plants in mainland Europe as well. Even though production is mainly in the UK, it is not far-fetched that VW may shifts things a bit. Especially if things get rougher.

• Rolls-Royce – Because who does not want to be a king

Fun fact – the true “RR” successor is not the current Rolls-Royce company, but rather Bentley (mentioned above). Modern-day Rolls-Royce cars are such in name only, and the company is a BMW subsidiary. However, its production still remains strictly on the UK side and has deep British ties. I can imagine that Brexit will not treat them kindly.

There are other UK brands too, but you can see the trend – most of them are not really British anymore. And from the ones that are most likely to suffer, none are “mass market”. Will that matter though?

What’s your take on the UK car industry crash?

Apparently, things are not that clear. I would rather refrain from commenting on Brexit’s political implications. However, when it comes to the auto industry, I am not really that worried. Do not get me wrong though – I do believe Britain will suffer. Yet that seems much more likely to be an internal problem. And we cannot really do much about that, can we?

But what do you think? Am I missing something? Perhaps there is a piece of the puzzle that I just cannot seem to place correctly. Let me know if the whole story has a rather dark twist, which I have failed to point out!

The post Brexit and the car industry: a road to disaster? appeared first on Altered Steel.

Speaking of cars, we have to note that the winds of change are once again blowing in their direction. We are experiencing auto innovations on all levels. New engine technologies pop up, artificial intelligence gets better at driving, even the design itself evolves constantly. And what is the one certain thing about evolution? Those that fail to adapt… disappear.

The fact that American car companies are struggling is nothing new. We have known that for several years now. But large companies do not usually go under without a proper fight. So what can we say about their recent move against the current? Let’s examine the death of the American sedan!

The sedan decline – a series of unfortunate events

The sedan has remained a staple with cars ever since personal vehicles have become a thing. Most iconic cars out there are actually sedans. Throughout history, that car body type has consistently been the most prevalent one out there. But that all changed when people began looking for more specialized alternatives.

When most cities became filled to the brim with vehicles, there was an obvious need for a more compact car. That, in turn, meant that companies could put in a weaker engine, and a more efficient one at that. Did I mention that made the entire car cheaper? All of a sudden the trusty sedan became the big car around the block, and a more expensive one at that.

Of course, families could not rely on small cars. Because of that, the sedan remained a viable option for quite some time. It was big enough for a family of four (or five, even), but not a workhorse like a pickup.

The real issues for the sedan began when car designers started experimenting with bigger bodies. They tried with estate cars, though they did not catch on in the States. Then came the minivan, which was quite popular (and still is in some circles). Still, for a lot of folks, it was too much “family” and not enough “business”. So car manufacturers scratched their heads and came up with the straw that broke the camel’s back – the SUV. Or did they?

Is it too soon to write the sedan off?

I know that many people see the rise of the crossover (or SUV) as the main cause of the sedan’s demise. However, I believe things are a bit more complicated than that. It can actually be the case that the sedan is not dying – perhaps it is just now finding its niche.

The main issue of the sedan is simple – it is a jack of all trades and master of none. You could argue that that the leap to an SUV is not that big if you are not concerned about size. Alternatively, the sedan body will be too bulky for a person, who wants a more compact vehicle.

So on the surface, it seems like this body design is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Dig a bit deeper though, and you will see things in a different light. Sometimes people just want a car that looks classy, gets the job done, and does not feel like a truck.

Do not get me wrong, sedan sales are indeed trending downward overall. Yet a lot of people refuse to give up on those vehicles. In fact, certain companies are actually keeping their sedan production up. It does not take a lot of research to see that there are plenty of that body type among the best selling cars of 2018. Honda and Toyota, for example, are having a blast. But are you reading between the lines? There are no American sedans there…

Why American car manufacturers ditched the sedan

Does it not seem weird that no American companies want to pursue the sedan market? They are doing great with their SUVs. Their pickups also take top spots. So what is stopping them from crushing the sedan market too? Well, a couple of things.

For starters, you have to look at the overall picture. The Japanese manufacturers sell their sedans just fine, alright. But you know what the funny part is? Their own SUVs and crossovers are selling even better nowadays. Considering Japanese sedans have quite a great reputation, that should tell you something about how the demand is shifting.

This leads us to the main reason American-based companies ditched the sedan – it was simply not worth the competition. US car manufacturers have always struggled to develop a cost-effective sedan to beat the Japanese staples. That is because the margins on these vehicles are not big at all (compared to SUVs). At the same time, investment continues to grow. That made the American sedans fall behind the competition in terms of both quality and price.

There is still some hope though. The Big Three just need to focus their efforts on the next big wave in vehicle development. Would it not be ironic if that actually turns out to be sedan EVs? If we take into account the demand for Tesla Model 3, that prediction may not be too far off. Sadly though, with all the trouble US-based companies face, they may not have that chance.

The bad situation of the Big Three

We have to mention the glaring issue, which lies underneath all the problems of the Big Three. It is the fact that they have hardly any market outside the US. We all know Europeans are not big on pickups and even SUVs. At the same time, other companies dominate the Old Continent with much better prices and reputation. Ford still manages to keep its presence there, but things are not looking good.

All in all, the Detroit-based manufacturers do not have room for error. Plus SUV and pickup sales in the US are largely dependent on the economy as well. All those factors put quite a strain on these companies. They have been virtually forced to trim their lineups to focus on safer options. Testing the market at this point has too high of a cost for them.

The light at the end of the tunnel

To be fair, car manufacturing is a tough business in general. Many companies have gone out of it through history. But as I have already said, big manufacturers do not disappear in mere seconds.

So here is the thing – something has to happen. In our age of disruptive innovation, I would not be surprised if Ford, GM, and Chrysler turned the tables. Should they come up with a high-quality sedan model that also has a good price, people will jump all over it for sure.

Personally, I am already a lost cause. SUVs are my thing, so going back to a sedan will be a hard pill to swallow. But what do you think? Will you buy a brand new sedan from one of the US companies if they bring them back? Or will you be like me and stick with your old buying habits?

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