European Automakers Move To More Expensive Aluminum While Asians Cling To Cheaper Steel

A prime example where the Asian companies allow others to pioneer new technology while they follow later when the costs come down.

The key differences between an innovative approach and one that simply rides the coat tails. You have to have innovation to progress.

Both one offs. The article concerns usage across the lineup

I'll take an Asian car over a European car ten times out of ten.

Letting someone else innovate first and take the risks of new technology and then learning from their mistakes means that your implementation will be better. Sometimes the Europeans "innovate" for the sake of innovation not because the result will be better.

Let's say VW went all aluminum for the Polo, the Honda Fit would still be far superior.

And some how they are able to make more fuel efficient cars with heavier steel chassis...

Honda is a more innovative company than most automakers out there.
They have R&D in robotics, green energy, medical assist equipment.
But obviously those other product lines are not their bread winner.

And less crash worthy to boot. Pretty much you are laughing all the way to the bank until there is a serious crash.

Then your insurance pays your loved ones enough they too can then afford a proper and safe European car. In the end you would have taught them well.

The difference between Japanese engineering and German engineering is that the Japanese engineer for a specific purpose whereas the Germans engineer things just because they can. There is an old Mercedes ad that shows a Mercedes being picked up off the ground by its door handle as an example of their amazing prowess in engineering. I'm not sure how many people lift their Benzes off the ground by the door handle, but hey they engineered it anyway.

The Achilles heel of a German car is the complexity of design. Who else makes a slide out cup holder that has 47 different parts and 16 motion changes for your can of soda?

The Japanese bore a hole in the console and call it a day.

I guess it is sort of like an $6 Quartz watch vs a Rolex. Both tell time but there are two totally different approaches to the concept. Neither are technically wrong.

The Germans also sneered at an ugly little sedan called Prius and its hybrid technology. I seem to remember Porsche needing a Mitsubishi patent to produce the 944 engine the way they wanted to. My money is on the Asian companies.

Japanese cars are more reliable because the engines/structural components rarely change. Toyota is using Denso parts across the board that are tried and true. When was the last time the Toyota/Lexus V6 has been upgraded? For example, the fuel pump is probably the same design from 15 years ago. European brands focus on performance so the engines and components change. Believe BMW/Toyota tie-up has more to do with BMW carbon fibre technology and Toyota's purchasing power for material's, i.e. aluminum, battery production costs.

BMW needs the insulation of a larger automotive company if it is to remain sustainable as a company. Toyota is the perfect partner for green tech development.

I will take an unreliable car before a car full of recalls that might eventually kill me. Then what will I drive if I am dead?

Crash video from IIHS http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings

Honda doesn't build steel cars because they lack the expertise to build aluminum cars. The NSX was a brilliant piece of engineering that was way ahead of it's time. I never owned one but did get to drive a couple of them at Portland International Raceway. I did own 2 integras and a RSX type S. The engineering and reliability was only eclipsed by the ergonomics of everything you touched form the shift linkage to the wiper controls. Miles ahead of the German cars I've driven. Just wish that Honda has totally abandoned the enthusiast and only builds boring FWD crap now. Wish they would build a FRS competitor.