European cars have been a status symbol for luxury and expensive cars for most Indonesians. To note, European brands that enter Indonesia generally come from Germany and France. Of course, there are significant differences in the characteristics of the two countries' automotive cultures.
In general, we know that cars made by French brands in Indonesia are less tough than cars made by German brands. So, that's one example of the fundamental difference between German cars and French cars.
So, what are the significant differences? We have summarized from various sources including from the Quora forum. Here is the review.
German Car, Famous for Durability
Germany is known for having the best quality products and being the country that invented cars in the world. When it comes to designing vehicles, engineers from Germany always try to create and produce the best vehicles.
An understanding of manufacturers from Germany, that over engineering is a work of art with high value. So that some engineer manufacturers also provide characteristics in certain parts, indicating that they are the ones who produce the work of art. Cars made in Germany are designed as much as possible so that they always function very well and are effective for their customers according to the German philosophy.
The existence of a freeway, namely the Autobahn which has no speed limit, is often used by manufacturers to test the maximum capabilities of their vehicles so that their products get a good reputation.
Then, the masculine impression of a German car is very easy to get, or we call it a bold design. We can find strong characters from each decade of the design language.
For the characteristics that characterize German cars in general, namely:
More 'Sporty' Suspension Character and Has Many Types of Machines
No matter how soft the suspension of a German car is, there must be a hint of hardness in it. This is so that the car can be stable when driven at high speed.
German car engines have various CC variations (for old times) and varying power (for today, due to the role of the turbocharger). For example, in the BMW 3 series, there used to be the 318i, 320i or 323i, which were differentiated by engine capacity.
Maintaining the Character of Luxury in Each Model Line
The next character that is quite identical is that once a German car was made luxurious, it was made luxurious at the same time. But for the non-luxury class, the driving feel is not too different and the appearance is similar.
Take, for example, the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class and C-Class, whose design language is quite similar. This means that even if you use the C-Class, you are still not shy.
Then about the dimensions, German cars tend to be large when compared to cars in their class. And this German car used to be a benchmark for each type of vehicle.
Many German Manufacturers Also Produce Commercial Vehicles
German manufacturers not only make passenger cars, but also produce commercial cars, buses and trucks. For example, Mercedes Benz even has a luxury version, namely the V-Class, Viano, Sprinter, and VW Caravelle. There are also brands that specifically produce commercial cars, such as MAN.
Treatment Costs Are Quite Expensive But Not Difficult
Maintenance and Cost of Ownership of German cars tend to be high. That's because the electronic systems in German cars are complex and interrelated even in cars that are quite old. Not to mention the added complex engine components that are usually present in the Audi brand. However, maintaining German cars is still relatively easier than French cars.
