There are Peugeots in disrepair, with dents, rust, etc. -- but I don't
really see that many of them. Considering that all those cars were sold
in early 1980s, there is nothing exceptional about them. Don't you see
Toyotas, Volkswagens, Mazdas, Hondas (and what about those rusty Datsuns
and Subarus?) which are in equally pathetic shape?
I am surprised that there are STILL quite a lot of Peugeots on the road
-- despite all the difficulties with parts and the fact that no new cars
were sold here since 1992.
Another good thing about Peugeot's image in the United States is that
many people (I was astonished to discover that REALLY MANY PEOPLE,
perhaps the majority) do not know much about Peugeots, don't know what
cars they are, where were they made (is a German car?), etc.. Citroen
left the US so long ago (1974?) that the brand is long forgotten.
I think Peugeot (or Peugeot-Citroen) if they would creatively address
all the main problems they had here -- dealers, etc., find the right
partner and develop a new, creative marketing strategy, then they could
do very well in North America.
Eugene