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Europe | Charlemagne


A FAREWELL TO SMALL CARS, THE INDUSTRIAL ICONS THAT PUT EUROPE ON WHEELS


WHY A CONTINENT WITH EVER-SMALLER FAMILIES IS DRIVING EVER-BIGGER AUTOMOBILES

Image: Peter Schrank
Jun 21st 2023
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Placing a Peugeot 208, Europe’s bestselling car last year, next to a Ford F-150,
its American counterpart, is like comparing a Chihuahua to a Great Dane. Both
have four wheels and typically serve the same purpose: to ferry a single driver
from one place to another. Beyond that they have little in common. The F-150
weighs over two tonnes, twice as much as the lithe Peugeot. The driver in the
American pickup truck sits a half-metre higher than the tarmac-scraping
Frenchman in his family compact. Forget the flat bed attached to the back of the
Ford—its interior alone feels roomier than the entire European car. A Parisian
driver ever-confident of his parking skills might well attempt to squeeze his
vehicle inside the cab of the American behemoth.

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EUROPE JUNE 24TH 2023

 * Ukraine’s spymaster has got under the Kremlin’s skin
 * France’s top general on lessons from the battlefield
 * Greece votes, again, following the sinking of a migrant boat
 * Turkish property prices are soaring
 * A farewell to small cars, the industrial icons that put Europe on wheels

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PROTESTS THREATEN GEORGIA’S KREMLIN-FRIENDLY GOVERNMENT

A constitutional crisis over the presidency escalates


EMMANUEL MACRON HAS YET ANOTHER STAB AT FINDING A PRIME MINISTER

François Bayrou, an old hand, will face the squabbling that is paralysing
France. How long will he last?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


EUROPEANS ARE HOPING THEY CAN BUY MORE GUNS BUT KEEP THEIR BUTTER

Reports of a “war economy” are much exaggerated

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SYRIAN REFUGEES IN EUROPE ARE NOT ABOUT TO FLOCK HOME

The country’s future is too uncertain, and many migrants have put down roots


WHY ROMANIA CANCELLED A PRO-RUSSIAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

Sketchy allegations of interference let a court block a kook


SPAIN SHOWS EUROPE HOW TO KEEP UP WITH AMERICA’S ECONOMY

Reforms a decade ago are bearing fruit with high-tech success

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