Disappointed that Europeans aren’t purchasing more American automobiles, Donald Trump has threatened to impose high tariffs on EU auto imports. But why aren’t American automobiles with the remarkable exception of Tesla more well-liked in Europe?<\/p>\n
The narrow, cobbled alleyways of Italy’s historic towns and cities explain why Europeans “don’t take our cars,” as US President Donald Trump once said. Or, in the words of auto industry analyst Hampus Engellau: “Try to drive a large SUV around Italy. It’s really challenging, but I’ve done it.<\/p>\n
According to Mike Hawes, CEO of The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, the UK trade association, “if you add cost to the question, it becomes obvious why you don’t see too many American pick-up trucks on European roads. We have to have more expensive fuel than the Americans, so we choose smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, whereas they generally prefer larger vehicles.”<\/p>\n
Mr Engellau, who works for Handelsbanken Capital Markets, a Swedish investment bank, also points out that gas prices are significantly lower in the US. “They pay per gallon what we pay per litre,” he claims. One US gallon is equivalent to 3.8 litres.<\/p>\n
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