Nicer than the Focus, or nicer than the previous Cavalier? I don't think any of the American companies have made enough of a change or reprisal to even consider saying "an american revolution", although Ford has done a good job at bringing back the integrity of Jaguar and Aston Martin.
In order for it to be an american "revolution", I would suggest they start looking at their Japanese counterparts. Their cars are pretty basic, and easy to work on, but that's because instead of using complicated technology (a supercharger?! a turbocharger?! omg wth are those?!) to get power out of their engines, they rely on sheer size (see 8.3L V10 vs 3.5L V12) to power the engine, which thus makes things less complicated to work on, and also give mechanics the ability to replace or even forge parts for them relatively easily. Although this may sound like a good tactic, it's too bad that they've been using that tactic for the past 60 years. Where European cars are safety and technology oriented, and Japanese cars are reliability and cost oriented, American cars seem to be a hodgepodge of both of those, bringing out the evils of both. I know plenty of people who are extremely unsatisfied with American cars, and would instantly choose a Japanese one with a few less features any day. The problem with the American Revolution is this: there's no revolution- at all. You can't try and say that because engines are being retired, and new models are being introduced, that that's a revolution...at all. American cars are still huge, pushrod, cast iron, stinky blocks of metal with people inside them. Sure they've started including many more features and options, but how long do those last, and what kind of effort is put into those options (i know a few people with Cadillac's who complain about the power windows and the A/C crapping out abnormally quickly)? The Dodge/Chrysler Caravan and Caravan Sport for instance, it was one of the first (if not THE first) to include a DVD player. Same with the Suburban. The only problem is, half the time they don't work (yes, I can vouche for this with personal experience).
Many people think that just because a car has a ton of features, it's good. This is where the European and Japanese companies come into play. The Japanese have all stayed with their motto of "the most basic is the most succesfull", and it has worked for them. A Japanese car will last you damn near forever (sans the Infiniti G35's brakes), and is easy to work on, and they are far more fuel efficient. The Japanese also manage to stay on top of their game in terms of automotive technology. It's hard to explain, but a Japanese car will always have certain things to distinguish it from an American car. Japanese cars are lighter, because of the body paneling usually, and they are thus usually more fuel efficient. But it doesn't stop there. The Japanese car companies design (don't think about this one too hard) their cars with thought. American car designers look at what make a car "popular". They then come out with cheap blows, ugly cars, and overly flared and wild designs (see new viper, crossfire) which are often taken out of the "tuner's world" (ala the nasty cobalt).
With a Japanese company they first look at 1) Practicality. With an American car they first look at 1) what does the uneducated buyer want?. This is where the illusion of the American revolution comes into play. Here's an example, would you rather have a bicycle with 21 speeds, a gel seat and a horn, or would you rather have a one-speed bike, with pegs, little bead thingies on the spokes, and lots of reflectors? Well that bike with the 21 speeds and a gel seat is your Japanese car. Heck, I could have used another bike analogy where Jeep invented an "AWD Offroad Bike". Yes, it's a heavy, inarticulate, retarded bike that forces you to pedal 2 wheels. Not so practical when YOU'RE THE MOTOR. The American car revolution can be summed up as the poor kid at your school that has no idea whats going on. He's always a step behind in the style, he tries way too hard to fit in, and he has a fake personality. The Japanese...industry...however, is like the contemporary kid at your school. He has his own kind of basic, normal style, he's got a tight knit group of friends that he can always rely on, and he always hands his assignments in on time. The European market for instance, is the nerdy kid with glasses, who is always trying to perfect something or other, for the good of the class. He is usually elected Validictorian, and everybody knows who he is because he is his own, good intentioned, although somewhat inept, man. The difference between the 3? Well, one needs some serious catching up to do, the other needs to get out more, and the latter needs to quit being an ignorant sellout and get his job done.
. It descrases the Xtreme name. What's next an Xtreme Equinox?
