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OK, so we’ve gotten used to car makers designing primarily for left-hand drive (LHD) markets and then making revisions to accommodate the conversion for right-hand drive (RHD) markets. We don’t like it, but it makes commercial sense so we can understand the logic. However, I must admit I’m getting fed up with having to make do with some design features which seem to have been carried over from the LHD version without a single consideration or modification for RHD versions. Apart from MINI’s ‘Club door’ which encourages you to spill your kids into the traffic rather than onto the pavement, I recently found myself reaching across two occupied cupholders to grasp the handbrake on the new Mazda6 - not good. I’ve since discovered that in the case of the Mazda6, this detail has been mirrored from the LHD versions - which makes it even more baffling. In any case MINI is by no means the only culprit so let me know if you’d like to name and shame a few more.
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Absolutely!
s vassiliou | 05 May 08 - 20:57I think this probably has a lot to do with the fact that UK is unfortunately no longer an acknowledged mass production car manufacturing nation in any capacity other than that of hosting a few assembly plants for various foreign manufacturers, and as a RHD consumer market has become relatively isolated.
I fully agree with your sentiments, but your complaint should perhaps be addressed to the UK trade union leaders who’s negativity managed to achieve this situation.
Martin.
AlfaMartini | 06 May 08 - 18:30