Skip advert
Advertisement

“Britain has taken over as the design capital of the world”

Mike Rutherford thinks Britain, Germany, Japan and Sweden are leaving the rest behind when it comes to car quality and desirability

Opinion - Mike Rutherford WCOTY

There was much to celebrate at the World Car Awards ceremony in New York last week. For example, the gang of four – Britain, Germany, Japan and Sweden – confirmed they are now the top vehicle-producing nations on the planet in terms of quality and desirability.

And, to be blunt, the chasing pack – America, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Korea and Spain – have to bite the bullet and concede they’re not in the same elite league. For now, at least.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Another reality is that Britain has taken over as the design capital of the world. I say this because Jaguar won the coveted World Car Design of the Year trophy in 2017 with the F-Pace, while Land Rover grabbed the same prize this year with the Velar.

So Jag’s Ian Callum and Land Rover’s Gerry McGovern can therefore consider themselves the greatest designers on earth. And the heir apparent is fellow Brit Marek Reichman of Aston Martin. Fair enough? Who’s better?

High-profile firms such as General Motors and Mercedes should feel embarrassed they didn’t earn so much as a mention at these World Car Awards. After all, little ol’ Suzuki and struggling Chrysler punched well above their weights by making it through to the final stages of the competition. Shame then that a depleted GM and lethargic Merc were conspicuous by their absence.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

But it was hapless Ford I really felt for at the ceremony. It was bad enough the Volkswagen Polo beat the Fiesta to the title of World Urban Car of the Year. But it got worse when the models judged the three finest overall (Velar, Mazda CX-5 and Volvo XC60) proudly sat on stage, under the spotlights as photographers and camera crews from across the globe glared at them in admiration.

How and why could these three ‘best-on-the-planet’ cars be responsible for drowning Ford in frustration, misery and regret? Because Land Rover, Mazda and Volvo were not so long ago owned or part-owned by Ford which, apparently, couldn’t do a thing with them. They weren’t quite basket cases when in the not-so-steady hands of the Michigan-based empire. But they weren’t far off.

Now look at ’em! Owned by TATA of India, Land Rover has never been in better shape or produced finer products. Mazda has become stronger yet cooler since returning to its roots as a fully-fledged Japanese manufacturer. And now under direct control from China (Geely) of all places, Volvo can’t put a foot wrong.

So the 64,000 dollar question is how come these brands and their showroom products were so miserable, ugly and unwanted when owned by America? And the 64 million dollar question has to be why can the Indians, Japanese and Chinese make a go of these marques, when Ford didn’t have a clue what to do with them?

Do you agree with Mike? Is Britain leading the way when it comes to car design? Let us know below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief columnist

Mike was one of the founding fathers of Auto Express in 1988. He's been motoring editor on four tabloid newspapers - London Evening News, The Sun, News of the World & Daily Mirror. He was also a weekly columnist on the Daily Telegraph, The Independent and The Sunday Times. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars can expect to be paying roughly £10 more per year, a although the biggest gas guzzlers will fare the worst
26 Mar 2024