driving on the oppisite side of the road to the rest of the world.
Does it not pump up manufacturing expenses from Asia and the rest of Europe
2006-09-27 02:08:29 · 7 answers · asked by kevin d 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Commuting
didn't you know in Japan people drive on the opposite side too?
2006-09-27 02:11:05 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Owl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Believe it or not in some cities or states of the USA, early in the 20th century cars drove on the left (correct) side of the road. Sweden changed from the left to the right (wrong) side in the 1960s. The Chinese also drove on the left but changed to the right under the Nationalist government headed by General Chiang-Kai-Shek. That was because he owned the all the Chevrolet dealers in China. Nothing like lining your own pocket when you're boss.
In the 1930s a lot of very swank European cars had right hand drive - things like Delahayes and Hispano-Suizas.
The first big export market for Japanese cars was Australia because of 1. A trade agreement signed in the late 50s and 2. Because both countries drove on the left (correct) side. That was in spite of the fact that at the time Australia actually made more cars than Japan. Since we Australians still make virtually all our own cars and we share borders with no-one we could not give a hoot which side of the road people elsewhere drive.
The reason traffic kept to the left was to allow the drivers and passengers of vehicles to hold weapons in their most effective hands.
2006-09-27 10:42:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Building car a bit different probably only has a small effect on car prices as they use the same parts just designed differently.
The British and Austrailians continue to drive on the wrong side of the road because they like to feel independant and want to do it their way. There would also be the problem of trying to retrain drivers to new rules and the cost of changeing all the signs and markers.
2006-09-27 09:25:33 · answer #3 · answered by Kenneth H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they drive on the opposite side of the US in New Zealand. I was there once and kept getting in the drivers side door on the right thinking that it was the passenger.
I drove with a guy in Germany and they drive on the Left, same as the US.
They say that the Germans invented the automobile, so I don't know. It makes me curious now...
The link I provided below says that the first automobile was powered by steam and was built in France, hmm....
2006-09-27 16:21:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
us brits and the australians and japan drive on the right side of the road,its the rest that drive on the wrong side,since we were the first to drive, it would make sense that its the rest of the world who have got it all backwards.
2006-09-27 10:07:17 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Scottish♥Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ♥Fairy♥ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Brits also designed the Chicago and North Western Railroad.
The only railroad in the US where the trains all go the wrong way.
Anybody ever noticed this on the NW suburbs Metra?
(But it all works out in the end)
2006-09-27 09:19:44 · answer #6 · answered by GreenHornet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we had cars first so we decide,and if it was America we sent you there so do as your told.
2006-09-27 09:11:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋