The UK "Peoples Car"
Discussion
I've been wondering about this - it's probably been discussed before, mind.
Many years ago there was a German guy, in charge of the German country, who instructed one Mr Porsche to build a peoples car. They called it a Beetle.
A budget, no-nonsense car that could be sold to the masses. Years later, VW are now absolutely enormous and contribute immensley (I imagine) to the German economy.
So, why can't us Brits have one? Maybe our dear car-loving, job-creating, out-of-the-box thinking, daring government can kick-start our on-shore motor industry - and create a healthy dose of jobs and profit in the process whilst giving us all something look forward to - and ultimately to be proud of.
An exciting prospect and a potential rewarding achievement at the end. Imagine the roads with plenty of fresh, new Brit One's. Years later, maybe a Brit Saloon and even a Brit Roadster.
Thoughts?!
Many years ago there was a German guy, in charge of the German country, who instructed one Mr Porsche to build a peoples car. They called it a Beetle.
A budget, no-nonsense car that could be sold to the masses. Years later, VW are now absolutely enormous and contribute immensley (I imagine) to the German economy.
So, why can't us Brits have one? Maybe our dear car-loving, job-creating, out-of-the-box thinking, daring government can kick-start our on-shore motor industry - and create a healthy dose of jobs and profit in the process whilst giving us all something look forward to - and ultimately to be proud of.
An exciting prospect and a potential rewarding achievement at the end. Imagine the roads with plenty of fresh, new Brit One's. Years later, maybe a Brit Saloon and even a Brit Roadster.
Thoughts?!
Paul O said:
I've been wondering about this - it's probably been discussed before, mind.
Many years ago there was a German guy, in charge of the German country, who instructed one Mr Porsche to build a peoples car. They called it a Beetle.
A budget, no-nonsense car that could be sold to the masses. Years later, VW are now absolutely enormous and contribute immensley (I imagine) to the German economy.
I can see one major problem: Hitler didn't want people getting into debt to buy the car, so you had to join a saving scheme to purchase the car. Very, very sensible imo. Wouldn't suit the chaos of the UK perhaps, though. Many years ago there was a German guy, in charge of the German country, who instructed one Mr Porsche to build a peoples car. They called it a Beetle.
A budget, no-nonsense car that could be sold to the masses. Years later, VW are now absolutely enormous and contribute immensley (I imagine) to the German economy.
We did. It was originally the Austin 7 and later it was the Minor 1000 which used to be everywhere.
If there was ever an "everyman's car", it was undoubtedly the Ford Cortina which was the bset selling car in the UK for years on end though it was eventually overtaken by the Escort. The BMC alternative was the trendy Mini but was obviously less a family car despite it's inner space.
In effect the "people's car" is dictated by what car the people dictate is their car and so at present, isn't the Focus the best-seller?
If there was ever an "everyman's car", it was undoubtedly the Ford Cortina which was the bset selling car in the UK for years on end though it was eventually overtaken by the Escort. The BMC alternative was the trendy Mini but was obviously less a family car despite it's inner space.
In effect the "people's car" is dictated by what car the people dictate is their car and so at present, isn't the Focus the best-seller?
Don't forget that it was the Major Ivan Hirst of the British Army who sorted out saving VW from the ashes of WW2.
Also, in the early 70's VW was pretty knackered after having been reliant on a single layout of cars for such a long period. It was only the success of the Golf and its derivatives that has made VW the company it is today, not the Beetle.
Also, in the early 70's VW was pretty knackered after having been reliant on a single layout of cars for such a long period. It was only the success of the Golf and its derivatives that has made VW the company it is today, not the Beetle.
king themselves into a stupor. 
I think the problem with this is the snobbery of the British people. We all want to aspire to the class system and the glory days of the empire and post war Britannia. Not to mention the difficulties with manufacturing on an island nation compared to our continental neighbors.
Dont get my wrong i would love to see a British peoples car, but somehow i dont think it would sell, even in our cash strapped climate. Its a shame really as the British seem to be able to create something 9/10th as good as the Germans with 1/10th of the budget.
Dont get my wrong i would love to see a British peoples car, but somehow i dont think it would sell, even in our cash strapped climate. Its a shame really as the British seem to be able to create something 9/10th as good as the Germans with 1/10th of the budget.
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