Why doesn't the US get these cars?

I had just recently came back from China. I noticed that many of their cars are better than the US versions, but why? Some of you might not care, but Buick offers very nice cars in China. The Lacrosse is 10x better there, plus it's RWD. GM has a serious Chrysler 300C competitor on their hands if they would just decide to sell that thing here. For those who are interested in seeing how the Lacrosse looks like visit www.buick.com.cn

Also they have a compact car that does well, the Buick Exelle. Basiaclly it's a Suzuki Forenza (IMO underated car) with wood and GPS navagation. With a decent engine this could be a legit Mazda 3 comptitor. Plus since Buick is GM's "affordable luxury" devision, the Forenza might sell better here since the name is better.

For those of you that think the new Camrys' styling is a bit too in your face (especially the grille in LE and XLE trims), Toyota offers a different look for the Camry in China. Why doesn't Toyota make the Camry look this nice in their largest market? They sell more Camrys' here than anywhere in the world.

For more information visit www.toyota.com.cn I should warn you most of this site is in Chinese along with the buick link. However with a little luck you'll be able to find more information about these models.

Anyone ever heard of the Toyota Reiz? Released in 2005, it's the Cressida replacement. Absolutely beautiful car, what a shame that Toyota decided that Americans should get the Avalon instead. What are they thinking? The Reiz is RWD, couple that with Toyota's new 3.5 liter V6 and who needs the Avalon. Or instead of making the ES350 a Camry copy, they could have made some minor tweaks to the Reiz and dubbed it the new ES. Then atleast all Lexus sedans would be RWD.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?s=5e2a868b8c25565a46a32eb0dc459450&t=108561

The link above has many pictures of the Reiz, best of all it's all in English!

I wonder if it's possible to change Toyota's mind in bringing the Reiz here. Perhaps it's wishful thinking, but maybe if enough people wrote to Toyota corporate, well you never know...

00JT - 8/23/2006 10:49:56 PM

+1 Boost

I forgot to mention that the Focus is better there too. I think though that the Focus in Asia is the Volvo S40 here.

caguy518 - 8/24/2006 1:02:25 AM

+1 Boost

00JT-
The Focus in Asia is based off the c1 platform that's the base for the S40/V50/C70 and Mazda 3 and 5. I read the Ford thought this new platform would position the Focus too upmarket to do well in the US. The C1 platform has great potential though, and the Focus ST(or XR5 in some markets)w/ Volvos turbo 5 is one killer car....

00JT - 8/24/2006 4:49:36 AM

+2 Boost

Chad85Johnson,

I wasn't trying to bash American cars. I was merely trying to point out that some of Buick's offerings are better in Asia than they are here in the States, its own home turf.

00JT - 8/24/2006 4:59:48 AM

+2 Boost

http://upload.moldova.org/auto/News/buick%20lacrosse%20china/3.jpg

Interior pic of the Asian Lacrosse, almost Lexus like.

efoxS4, The Lacrosse looks much better in person. And definately looks better than the Lacrosse in America. But your right, from the pictures it resembles the Ford 500.

Will, The Reiz is an IS300 clone? Are you sure?

00JT - 8/24/2006 5:03:59 AM

+2 Boost

In case anyone is wondering the most popular cars in Shanghai and Beijing by far is the VW Passat. They're like Camrys and Accords here.

The most popular luxury car there also by far is the Audi A6. Not too many BMW's and Mercedes at all. Very rare to see a 745 or 750 if anything you'd see 730's.

The most popular taxi is the Hyundai Elantra ;) .

jeffy210 - 8/24/2006 10:18:47 AM

+2 Boost

wow, just wow... the CN version of the Camry is just beautiful, it looks like a slightly modified previous generation ES330. I so wish they would have brought that version over rather than the nahrwall-nosed one we have now.

Here's a link to the Camry (with some good shots, too bad they're all in flash)
http://product.guangzhoutoyota.com.cn/product/

LexusKindaGuy12 - 8/24/2006 12:37:56 PM

+1 Boost

wow that chinese camry looks great! possibly better than the one here. as for the REIZ, its a bit out there, but it looks good too.

00JT - 8/24/2006 4:49:44 PM

+1 Boost

I agree the Chinese looking Camry is much better inside and out.

I was looking at the prices. The top of the line model there is going for 269,000 RMB (yen) and only offers the 2.4 liter engine. Todays exchange rate is about 7.9. A fully loaded Camry is about $34,000 in US dollars. Thats a lot for a 4 cylinder Camry. I think here in the states the XLE V6 trim with navigation tops out at around 31k. It may be a lot better looking in China, but it's a lot cheaper here. I still wish it looked that good here though ;)

Rupert - 8/24/2006 6:24:00 PM

+1 Boost

efox, un mistake.
the rx300 is a 3.0 ltre, just got upgraded to the rx350 last month.
toyota think the 330 would be wasted on us.
00jt, america is just very cheap.