Cars have changed drastically from functionality to aesthetics. Cars are getting more sophisticated and a clear departure from the old reliables. When we were growing up in the 90s, the two 'main-d-main' around Anambra then were Mercedes Benz and Peugeot. It's either your dad had Mercedes 230 or Peugeot 504 or 505 (wagon or saloon). Others were Volvo (that very loud one), Volkswagen, Datsun, Mazda, Mitsubishi (ọnụ azụ), etc.https://etimes.com.ng/cars-they-dont-make-them-rugged-and-strong-again-in-nigeria-unlike-the-1980s/



Toyota was only trying to penetrate the market.

Mercedes Benz and Peugeot cars were as rugged as ruggedness and very physically strong—attributes I cherish greatly in cars. There bodies were almost entirely iron. Fender/bumper were half stainless metal and half plastic (strong plastic) — you rarely saw them pull like Toyota ones do today. All those years, I never met an accidented Benz or Peugeot that summersaulted and I haven't till today. When the Peugeot in our house got involved in a serious accident, it only swerved into the bush and hit a palm tree with its booth—a phenomenal escape alternative I doubt Toyota can ever afford.

20+ years after (now in the 2nd decade of a new century), Toyota sits like a king in the Nigerian market and car choices. Fragile as they are and appear, they're easier to manage, cheaper to maintain and user-friendlier than other products. In every compound of 3 cars today, there's always likely to be one or two Toyota products. But then, Mercedes Benz and Peugeot keep reinventing themselves: 4matic, Kompressor, G-guard, 307, 607, 3008, etc. (I am not good with cars).

But then, my curiosity is about the reinvented Peugeot. With 406 entering the scene in the 99/2000, there was a luxurious and electrical improvement but that body ruggedness reduced. The bumper/fender were no longer as strong as their forbears, for example. But Benz seemed to have maintained it all in their improved versions. A look at posh, modern Benz and you'd still see that ruggedness on it. (I haven't driven one, so, I assess by sight). Today, I see very posh Peugeot cars and I have a big doubt about their resilience and strength. They look fragile as Toyota ones and make me feel France couldn't afford to keep the high standard they started with unlike their German counterparts. I feel there's no hope of Peugeot making ruggedly strong cars anymore. Or, am I wrong? Do they still have products as rugged the old ones? I want to learn more. Online doesn't help enough. Personal driving experiences matter in knowing the truth.
Let's talk cars in/for Nigeria, please. Really need to learn from thoroughly experienced car users.

Zzzzzzzzzz

Naso

Rubbish. Cars aren't meant to be tanks. If you put your car in contact with a solid object, expect to get damaged.

Cars are made thsee days with crumple zones, etc etc. That's why you don't have metal bumpers anymore. It's design for safety

forreelinc:
Zzzzzzzzzz

hi I got your mention

Airbags and crumble zone have taken over

IkpuMmadu:
Cars have changed drastically from functionality to , I see very posh Peugeot cars and I have a big doubt about their resilience and strength. They look fragile as Toyota ones and make me feel as rugged the old ones? I want to learn more. Online doesn't help enough. Personal driving experiences matter in knowing the truth.
Let's talk cars in/for Nigeria, please. Really need to learn from thoroughly experienced car users.

Co's you said you want to learn. There's no point, reeling out the flaws in your post.

Cars have become safer than they could ever be, iron iron everywhere does not make a car solid.

Major car makers, do not make cars for Nigerians or African markets, we rarely buy new cars. Any vehicle you see on Nigerian roads is a reflection of major car markets.

You have a lot of Toyotas because a lot of them were made and sold. Then 10 years down the line, we start buying as Tokunbo.

Do not be deceived, all cars, are now almost the same, parts are outsourced to major parts manufacturers and car brands just assemble.

You get to see Aisin make transmissions for Audi, then toyota. Or you get denso make compressors for Mercedes, and Toyota

In all, whatever you see currently on Nigerian roads is more of a reflection of the American Market, and what she counts as reliable and rugged.

Ikenna341

So i observed