You can pretty much tell the economic state of a country just by looking at random cars in the street. Four-wheel vehicles are the best indicator of the current economic growth or turbulence. Naturally, the majority of the cars are second-hand. Actually, the global second-hand car market is supposed to rise up to 128.42 million units by 2021.
It seems the love for cars is the one thing that the whole planet is unanimous about (for once). People are simply keen on purchasing reliable cars at a lower price. Nevertheless, each country has its own preferences, so now we’re going to see just how much tastes can differ when it comes to cars.
UAE (United Arab Emirates): Toyota Land Cruiser
It would be an understatement to say that competition is fierce in this part of the world. Generally speaking, Japanese car brands are extremely popular in this country, and the Toyota Land Cruiser is the most wanted. Actually, the Land Cruiser makes for 25% of all Toyota’s cars sold here. The runner-up in this race would be Nissan, which is only 1% lower in sales than Toyota.
The main reason why Japanese cars have built a strong reputation here is probably the fact that these cars can stand all the harshness of the local climate. We’re talking about a mixture of humidity, dust, and heat. Superb air conditioning and excellent cooling systems have certainly won over the Arabian drivers.
Australia: Mazda CX-5
When it comes to the Land Down Under, there are several factors influencing the purchase, but almost one in three Aussies would choose a Mazda CX-5 as their preferred means of transport. Among other almost as popular cars are the Hyundai Accent, Ford Ranger, and Holden Commodore.
The Mazda CX-5 seems to be a ladies’ choice – they are more keen on buying it than men (one in three women would buy it). However, the preferences still vary depending on the state. For example, Victorians would rather opt for the Hyundai Accent.
Also, what is common for all Aussies is the fact that the used car would have to be in a lighter color (white, grey or silver). The reason being – they’re cooler in the summer.
USA: Honda Accord
Americans have different opinions, too, when it comes to picking the best second-hand car, which is no surprise when you remember there are 50 different states. Still, the Honda Accord remains to be one of the best-sellers since 1989. One of the reasons may be the fact that it scored a 5-star rating with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is an instant recommendation with all families across the country.
Europe: BMW 3 series
You were expecting the Volkswagen Golf, weren’t you? And yet, the first place belongs to the BMW 3. For instance, there are 15,000 used BMWs only in Germany, not to mention the rest of Europe, which certainly has a soft spot for cars made in Germany. The brand owes its popularity to the fact that it’s considered to be a high-end car, and extremely reliable.
Apparently, the best overall option would be the BMW E90, regarding age, pricing, and mileage.
UK: Ford Fiesta
Though Great Britain is a part of Europe, it deserves a special place. After all, people drive on the left here as opposed to the Old Continent. In 2016, 381,519 Brits opted for purchasing Ford Fiesta. First of all, it’s considered to be a great value for the price. The driving experience is smooth, and the boot is surprisingly spacious. Also, the repairs are inevitable, as with any used car, but the spare parts are really easy to find.
As you can see, the world is one interesting place to be. Next time you’re visiting a new country, take a closer look at the cars in the street – that’s also one of the landmarks worth telling your friends about.