Actually I think you mean Americans, who think they have the pulse of the Europeans, are making fun of American pony cars. American muscle cars, modern and classic, have quite a following here in Germany, you might be surprised. Most American pony cars (or most American cars in general) aren't available here in Germany unless imported anyway. So most Europeans can't even compare the two kinds of cars to even really have much of an opinion, much less complain. Why would the complain about something they can't readily buy, rarely see on the roads, and is otherwise irrelevant to their needs and desires? Unless we are talking about Germans who have the money to import such a car, and modify it to meet German standards, then you will find there are plenty of Germans who are willing to spend way too much money to have an American pony car, despite allegedly complaining about American cars the entire time.
Americans, on the other hand, are the ones who want to compare the interior of a loaded $60k Audi to a $35k Camaro or Mustang, and act like it means something.
Again I tend to think a few snobby Americans that have a stereotyped images of European cars are the ones bitching. Have you seen the interior of a Renault Twingo, new VW Polo, Seat Ibiza, or even a new BMW 316d with cloth interior? Lots of non-luxury interiors in the cars over here too.
If we are going to paint in broad brush strokes, then I will say that it isn't America that is in decline, it is just that others are starting to catch up in a real and noticeable way. By comparison makes us feel "weaker".
True, and again, my take is that most people here are actually referring to
other Americans that are bitching about American cars. And no I don't think watching Jeremy Clarkson complain about American cars on BBCs Top Gear counts as a unified Euro opinion of American cars.
