Where
do ugly cars come from?
Why do manufacturers come up with ugly designs which are ridiculed
at first sight. Why, when modern manufacturing methods allow any shape
to be created with ease do designers opt for the worst option. In
this day and age manufacturers fight against one another tooth and
nail to get a sale. So why wade into battle with something many people
find revolting.
Even if the model is aimed at the budget buyer surely it would make
sense to pay the
designer a little overtime so people take a second look. Surely? I'm
not saying a one-litre grocery getter should look like a supercar.
But there's enough talented student designers, and even amateurs out
there who have the skills and the will to design decent looking cars
of all types for free (and by the way we're just talking styling here,
the engineering department who make the thing work is a completely
different matter!). But why pay some chump to knock up something over
the weekend?
Well in my mind there's a few reasons. Firstly, just like fashion,
car design goes through cycles. What was stylish one year is unfashionable
the next. The boxy styling of cars from the 1980's springs to mind.
But that only applies to past cars which can be looked at in retrospect.
What about the models which roll off the production lines to sniggers
and jeers? Well for those there is also some theories.
Perhaps the people closest to the project grow accustomed to the less-than-beautiful
looks during the development stages, and are therefore unaware of
the monstrosity they are about to unleash on an unwary public. Another
possibility could be that the decision to give the project a green
light was given by a man in a suit with a calculator who had no idea
about styling, or cars for that matter. And there's enough failed,
or failing, car companies around the world to support that theory.
Another reason might be that many small manufacturers, we're talking
really small, might not have the resources to pay a designer to smooth
out the bodywork before production starts. Therefore you end up with
something which was designed by a man with a piece string for a belt
and a welding torch in his hand. It might be quick and handle like
a dream, but there's a good chance it isn't pretty.
It could also be that the car just requires time to get to like. The
'flame surfacing'
The
Pontiac Aztek. Just Vile.
|
styling of BMW cars created under the design direction of Chris Bangle
came under fire for being ugly on their introduction. But now, a few
years later, and with a slightly more refined appearance BMW is enjoying
considerable success with its lineup, and many manufacturers have
been quick to establish their own unique identity, sometimes using
similar shock tactics. As the saying goes 'there's no such thing as
bad publicity'. If your product gets noticed, even for being ugly,
it's still better than a product that doesn't get noticed at all.
And the final theory is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
It might not be pretty to you, but to someone, somewhere, it's worth
every penny. Almost.
Related articles:
What makes a great car
Retro or Rehash?
21st Century muscle car race
Green car production facilities
Ascari Race Resort
Artificial intelligence
Related sections of the site:
Sports
cars
Home page
|
