Geo Metro (LAC)

[Aleksander Mierzwa]

Hi List,

Let me share a few thoughts about Geo Metro.
Elsewhere in the world it is known as Suzuki Swift. The car was available
with 1.0 liter 3-cyl and 1.3 liter 4-cyl engines, the latter could be
equipped with AWD (!). A pocket-rocket GT version was available as well,
equipped with a modified 1.3 engine putting over 110hp (needles to say, it
was quite *fast*). In German TUV ratings, the car was usually among the 5
most reliable cars tested. 
OK, but now to the point. 
The Metro aka Swift was (I believe it's not being produced any more, but I
might be wrong) one of the many small cars available on European market.
The direct competitors were Opel Corsa, VW Polo, Renault 5, Toyota Starlet,
Nissan Micra, Peugeot 205, I could go on and on. Compared to the
competition, I believe it was one of the better cars, and certainly one of
the most reliable. Yet in USA it's being ridiculized all way along, called
a POS, a sh*tbox, a crap... Why? It appears to me that Americans laugh at
this car merely because it is small and has little power. But it is
PURPOSELY built like that. It belongs in European cities where we have
50km/h speed limit and it's very difficult to find parking space. It was
not designed to drive from NY to LA and back. Criticizing it for not being
suitable for Interstate trips is like criticizing a Ferrari for not being a
good off-roader. Maybe it simply does not belong on US market. This does
not mean the car itself is bad. It was built with certain purpose in mind
and it fits that purpose very well. 
I occasionally hear our American listers complain that Audi does not
introduce A3 and A2 into the US. Don't be surprised they don't want to do
this. They are afraid of ruining their reputation by introducing a small
car, which people would most likely ridiculize. For those of you who hasn't
seen one in person, the A3 visually appears to be smaller than Golf, and A2
is a one strange car. They don't belong on US market just like Metro.

--
Aleksander Mierzwa
Warsaw, Poland
87 5KT