2009 Best Car Series: Vive la France!

[Jondot]

I'm impressed though, it seems we have very similar taste in cars (Clio, Megane, C6, C1). You seemed to like the Mazda 2 in the Japanese thread too.

Pfft, it's just called good taste

 

[ExigeEvan]

Is the Renault/Dacia Logan a valid entry?

Oooof!

 

[YSSMAN]

I'd say its about as French as the Nissan Tiida, but its got the badge and the bucks behind it...

 

[homeforsummer]

At least it was designed by Renault, built out of mainly Renault bits and now wears a Renault badge.

 

[Dave A]

After the ruckus that was put up two years ago, I was under the impression that the majority of us came to the conclusion that it would be a bit more proper to make Bugatti a German brand now as opposed to long ago, when it was French. If I'm to understand the entire history of the marque, however, it has always bounced back and forth between the two countries of origin, and even at one point, you could certainly make the arguement that Bugatti was Italian.

We'll keep it German. Don't worry, I'm sure it'll make it to the big show anyway.

Just to throw some oil on the fire here but officially Bugatti is French, they recognise themselves as French VAG recognises them as French and any web site you go to will tell you that the Veyron's country of origin is Franch. Bugatti is officially Frence. Now it's your thread and poll, but no matter who or how many people agree that it is German, they are still wrong, VAG recognises it as French, it recognises it'self as French and they are a French registered company. Just the facts . Too many people are delving too deeply into parts trails and corporate structures, it doesn't have to be this complicated, the comapny is registered French, TVR is registered British despite being owned by a Russian, Mazda are registered Japanese despite being owned by Americans etc etc. Where the money comes from, where it was designed and so on takes the whole concept of what car comes from where ind throws it into a washing machine.

The history of Bugatti is that it was originally a French company until Romano Artioli acquired name in 1987 he started it up as an Italian company under the name of Bugatti Automobili Spa, it was a new comapany that meerly featured the Bugatti name, but it was a new company hence the reason the name was different despite keeping the Bugatti name in it. This new Bugatti company was setup in Campogalliano, Italy. Then in 98 VAG bought the rights to the Bugatti name and set up Bugatti Automobiles SAS which was set up in Molsheim, France. Of the three nationalities you mention Bugatti has been based in two of them over the years, France and Italy, but the one you've chosen for it to represent is the one it has never been based in.

Bugatti and Bugatti Automoblies SAS are both French.
Bugatti Automobili Spa is Italian.

 

[Tornado]

I was going to suggest the Citroen C1/Pug 107 for it's clever budget..ness, but it's also a Toyota so I guess that makes it exempt.

That raises a good question, actually: What do joint-venture cars count as?

 

[homeforsummer]

That raises a good question, actually: What do joint-venture cars count as?

Personally I'd be happy calling the C1 and 107 French and the Aygo Japanese. Just like I'd call the Rover 400 British and it's Honda Civic counterpart Japanese, as that was a joint venture too.

There's enough of the manufacturer's input in the cars that they deserve to represent their own countries I reckon.

They're all built in the Czech Republic anyway. Apparently it was mainly a PSA project but seeing as the Aygo is quite different I think it's still Japanese.

 

[Tornado]

I could accept that, I guess. Makes sense.

 

[Muzaffar]

Ah, missed it again.
Anyways, I second the Renaultsport Clio 197. 👍 Too bad they discontinued the Clio V6, otherwise it would definitely be my pick....