Nicole

If Pickup trucks were as popular as in the US, Germany would long have a speed limit. No doubt in my mind.

FlyingDog

If American, Japanese, and Korean vehicles of any type were as popular as in the US, Germany would long have a speed limit.

Nicole

It's getting there rapidly - because unless you have a business (great write-offs) or really good job in Germany, it's hard to afford a German luxury car - at least not a new one. And with the rising unemployment and economical uncertainity, people buy cheap and hold on to the rest of the money. Germany's car industry is between a sixth and a fifth of the country's GDP, yet, most of this comes from Exports.

Each car that is sold in Germany has to meet the safety standards and regulations. That includes vehicles from Korea, Japan, and America. Interestingly, though, the Japanese sell many models that are specially designed for the European market, and Chrysler builds some models in Austria with much higher quality and safety standards. Still, US vehicles are not viewed as very sophisticated, but they are not cheap, either.

Last time I looked, the French and the Koreans, as well as the Japanese had gained market share. Sorry to say this, but the market share of US vehicles in Germany is closer to a rounding error.

To add insult to injury, the US owned brands (Ford and Opel) are struggleing also - a lot due to insensitive or erratic decisions from headquarters, where the European markets and mindsets are not well understood. Opel has way too high production cost, and Ford is skimping on innovation and look and feel in the interiors (cheap materials). Both are not strong enough brands to withstand bad product management decisions, so potential buyers go to VW's Skoda or Seat brands, or to the French or Japanese. Those who don't care about quality go Korean.

However, just as Daewoo got recognized, GM decided to rename it to Chevrolet - a brand that means either nothing or low quality to Europeans. Since now these sales will be accounted under the Chevrolet umbrella, the statistics might be fooled into believing that more US cars are sold - which is not really the case. GM's management is a prime example for ignorance and inconsistency, and we can only wish them luck with their new attempts to establish Cadillac in Europe. We'll see how that turns out.

Sorry for the off-topic rant...

FlyingDog

Being able to meet safety standards when new doesn't mean they can reliably maintain performance as they get older. I remember a couple years ago when Honda started building 3 different Accords; the Asian one was smallest and efficient, the American one was tallest/longest/widest, the European one was small with extra leg room and higher performance.

When I was in Russia, the only US GM car (not Saab or Opel) I saw was a Pontiac wrapped around a street light. There were quite a few Chryslers, some Lexuses, and a lot of Subarus. I wish Chrysler built their European market products for the US, like Mercedes 2.7L turbo diesel powered Grand Cherokees and Wranglers.

TeufelHei

I have given this a lot of my time....and I am happy to report that the 928 is rated to tow a small (16') Airstream Trailer. The Max towing capacity for the 928 is 1600kg (3536 lbs) with trailer brakes. I'd use an equalizing hitch for sure. Interesting point, that is the rating for all vehicles regardless of brake, engine, suspension, or other capabilities. That is also rated to be towed up and downa 16% grade. Not bad huh?

One MINOR point. It is ill advised to tow anything that weighs more than your car does. In fact, 85% is the max recommended ratio of tower to towee. However, I've got a truck that tows almost 11,000 lbs (about twice it's own weight) so I guess that's bunk too.

If anyone finds a smallish trailer that shares styling features of the shark, and can be painted to match, I'd love to have one. I just don't have the guts to tow the Airstream, maybe a T@B, but there's something about strapping 3500 lbs of weight to my beloved shark that reduces my confidence on the mountain roads I'd like to take such an asembleage on.

Nicole

One more:

545svk

Saw a 928s tow a motorsailer in Maroochydore, Qld the other day. I have a picture of a towbar setup somewhere and plan to build on sometime.

Jim M.

And another