Defacing a Mondeo

Now Europeans have been able to do pretty much everything better than other countries. We have a cultural heritage that America could not compete with, and another area in which we rule is cars. In America, it is deemed impressive if a car can do 20 mpg, whilst here, cars can do 70 mpg with a light foot. But that isn't where my argument really lies, it's more about how the poor people of America have had to put up with cars that look like European cars, that have just driven into a brick wall. The monstrosities that have come out of Ford's and GM's design room really beggars belief, but at least, they haven't made any of our nice European cars ugly in the pursuit to tempt car buyers to buy something economical. Until now.

Ford in America has finally come round to the fact that in Europe, Ford does things a bit (read: significantly) better, so they've essentially copied the Ford Mondeo. But one thing they haven't changed is good ol' American values. Which is of course, making things devoid of any curves. Out goes the sculpeted headlights, in comes in the rectangle ones. Liked the strong shoulder line of the mondeo? Gone. What Ford has done is reckless vandalism.

But alas, the styling of America is gradually leaking into the hearts of designers in europe. Take for example the brand new Toyota Avensis. An unappealing slab of silver boringness. The overly too big front with bulging headlights and oversized grill smacks of dullness, and this is from a company that used to pride itself on innovation.