New movie titles are typically released in New York and/or California before anywhere else meaning Europeans have to suffer through a lag of several weeks to several months before they can trot off and see King Kong or Spiderman 2. Unless, of course, they watch it on their computers. Our fascination with Hollywood (and the Europeans seemingly insatiable interest with these same stars) has fueled a widely accepted stereotype that all things "nouveau" emanate from North America and make their way across the globe to eagerly awaiting consumers.
In actuality, this is not at all the case. In addition to fashion, food, technology, and politics, it is often our side of the Atlantic that is un-knowingly playing catch-up.
That there is currently a trend in Europe toward the purchase and use of SUVs (gasoline-powered) really bucks this trend and is leaving many scratching their heads. In the land of $5 gas, there has always been both a strong appreciation for environmental concern, as well as, wide use of small displacement engines/diesels from a purely financial standpoint. Europe used to be the one place you could find that diesel powered Ford Explorer or Mitsubishi Pajero, vehicles non-existent on these shores. Today, however, there is an unusual number gas-fired SUVs clogging the streets of Munich, Rome, and London, which can be characterized as little more than "American style."
Not only is a trip for petrol comedic in terms of cost, but the adoption of these vehicles is rampant enough to jeopardize adherence to the strict CO2 emission guidelines of the Kyoto protocol. This also makes one question whether or not such a departure from their more typical conventional wisdom can be considered simply a fad. Owning and driving a grossly misplaced and inappropriate vehicle in Germany, for example, is considered a significant feather in your cap in a highly status-motivated culture.
Strange thing this consumer sentiment.
Anyway, it looks the prevailing winds were strong enough to blow even 2 and 3 ton trucks to European shores at a time when you might think they would be about as welcome as a new strain of bird-flu. Apparently winds did reach 125 mph in parts of Poland last week.
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