These Are The Main 2 Reasons

5 Reasons Why European Cars Aren’t Big Sellers In America

It’s not about being better or worse - different markets have different demands. There are plenty of cool European rides, but for the most part they just don’t make sense in America

2. We like our big vehicles

Overall, American cars are smaller and most definitely more buttoned down in the handling department than they used to be, and that’s good for enthusiasts. But most Americans still equate size with luxury and performance, while small cars are looked upon as basic or entry-level, no matter how awesome they are.

That’s why we never got cars like the Cosworth Escort, or the Lancia Delta Integrale, and it’s also why it took so long for the Focus RS to arrive. Never mind the amazing performance of these machines—in the eyes of most American car buyers they’re still just small, entry-level compact cars. And who’s going to pay $35,000 for a tiny car like that when you can buy a mid-size Chevrolet Traverse SUV or a V6 Dodge Charger for the same amount?

3. We like our power

In a similar fashion, this is why we don’t have fleets of diesel hatchbacks. Through the 1970’s and 1980’s we didn’t have much choice but to accept the low-horsepower cars that were given to us, but they still had some hefty torque so they felt muscular, even if they were still taking 10 seconds to hit 60 mph. That’s why turbocharged cars like the SVO Mustang and even the Grand National weren’t big hits through the 1980s, despite their performance envelopes that equaled, or with the Grand National, exceeded their V8 counterparts.

And as long as petrol remains cheap, that’s the way things will stay in America. Even back in 2009 when our petrol prices topped $4 a gallon, many people kept right on trucking with their SUVs getting 13 mpg, paying $100 every couple days to fill the tank. And I know many of you are reading this and thinking that $4 is cheap, but that doesn’t matter to drivers who equate their success with the size of their vehicle. At least the whole ordeal was a wake-up call in America that fuel economy does matter, and small, efficient cars can also be nice, fun, functional vehicles. The vast majority of American buyers still weigh horsepower over efficiency though, and as long as that’s the case, we’ll never see the ultra-efficient diesels so common throughout Europe.

Complete list (CarThrottle.com)