GasBuddy News Article

votes

About Face: How Automakers Put Personality Into Their Cars' Front Ends

Forbes -- Typically, when design clinic respondents are asked which view of their preferred-choice car they would send to friends and/or relatives, the front three-quarter angle polls at about 80%. You’d think many would select the straight side view, which, distortion-free in photographs, best displays the size, sweep, length and overall cohesiveness of the design.

But, then, when asked by the parents to send a picture of the new girlfriend, a majority of guys will send a likeness of her face, even though that may not be her best attribute!

And thus it is with cars. The front end, grille, fascia and headlights form a very distinct “face,” and, much like a human visage, it can have expressions: happy, purposeful, angry, aggressive, sad or even bored.

Read the Full Article

Submitted Apr 12, 2012 By: Mudsprings

Back To News

Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics	Add to favorite topics

Author	Topic: About Face: How Automakers Put Personality Into Their Cars' Front Ends	Post a Reply Back to Topics

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

First Prev

Next Last

jalan25 Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:2,345 Points:571,920 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:10:42 PM Ignore jalan25 Report Abuse Ok I guess?????
hoosierdaddyno1 Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,539 Points:1,257,180 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:10:12 PM Ignore hoosierdaddyno1 Report Abuse face!!!
GenoAR Veteran Author Arkansas Posts:429 Points:762,945 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:09:27 PM Ignore GenoAR Report Abuse How true for the Edsel, it's grill looked like, uh well we men know what it looked like.
BrucePen Champion Author Ontario Posts:6,611 Points:1,363,790 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:08:47 PM Ignore BrucePen Report Abuse I'm thinking a little lower than the face.
SpankyMI Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:2,718 Points:761,230 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:08:21 PM Ignore SpankyMI Report Abuse Rather than personality, I would think it should be aerodynamics that determine the front end.
07skydriver Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,266 Points:984,080 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:06:49 PM Ignore 07skydriver Report Abuse Not true for Dodge.
heysailor Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:9,592 Points:2,334,620 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:05:30 PM Ignore heysailor Report Abuse Lots of ugly faces on the front of cars lately
methaneman Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,610 Points:1,285,325 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:58:08 PM Ignore methaneman Report Abuse We ahve always said that if i don't go..Chrome It! Now we have happy faces on the front end!
mgune9 All-Star Author Dallas Posts:914 Points:200,395 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:57:31 PM Ignore mgune9 Report Abuse ok - not much relation to gas prices
TopGunn Champion Author Baltimore Posts:9,191 Points:2,617,255 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:56:56 PM Ignore TopGunn Report Abuse This affects energy how???
livedream Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,690 Points:756,035 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:56:23 PM Ignore livedream Report Abuse Oh well....
CapNC Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:393 Points:362,780 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:55:04 PM Ignore CapNC Report Abuse so
Senrac Champion Author Lincoln Posts:1,594 Points:305,635 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:52:22 PM Ignore Senrac Report Abuse WTF
race2IT Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:1,774 Points:726,030 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:52:16 PM Ignore race2IT Report Abuse Oh, yea.
swrestler Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:6,145 Points:1,573,025 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:51:46 PM Ignore swrestler Report Abuse I Agree With 200porter.....
AcuraTSX Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,499 Points:2,183,105 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:51:43 PM Ignore AcuraTSX Report Abuse Rear end views are just as important.
SIDEKICKFL Sophomore Author Florida Posts:165 Points:48,470 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:50:50 PM Ignore SIDEKICKFL Report Abuse Really??
TuanCanCook Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:12,453 Points:658,490 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:50:05 PM Ignore TuanCanCook Report Abuse Agree with geoutb. Cars are not always purchased based on practical reasons.
Krykson All-Star Author Chicago Posts:840 Points:247,285 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:48:55 PM Ignore Krykson Report Abuse ok
nightworker998 Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,812 Points:667,590 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:45:52 PM Ignore nightworker998 Report Abuse Please no more smiling caes!
Busymomma56 Sophomore Author Utah Posts:224 Points:52,120 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:45:03 PM Ignore Busymomma56 Report Abuse So
cateyes8264 Champion Author Tennessee Posts:2,957 Points:643,365 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:43:45 PM Ignore cateyes8264 Report Abuse MPG first, looks second.
theschmuck Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,927 Points:1,513,575 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:42:30 PM Ignore theschmuck Report Abuse If all you have to worry about is what the front end of a car looks like, you have a long ways to go to face reality.
geoutpb Champion Author Midland Odessa Posts:4,633 Points:1,068,260 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:40:28 PM Ignore geoutpb Report Abuse Cars are a emotional purchase, it is interesting to see how people will over look the economy and costs of ownership until it is too late.
YodaON Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,937 Points:781,010 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:36:54 PM Ignore YodaON Report Abuse everybody seem to be concerned with looks when economy and reliability are more important
tco9436 Champion Author Connecticut Posts:1,782 Points:723,475 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:36:18 PM Ignore tco9436 Report Abuse great
jdc17327 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,560 Points:198,015 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:35:00 PM Ignore jdc17327 Report Abuse OKAY
mikaye Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,839 Points:866,385 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:34:47 PM Ignore mikaye Report Abuse for many cars this is the only difference. too many cars look alike
KWM2011 Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,451 Points:351,950 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:29:49 PM Ignore KWM2011 Report Abuse Ok.
99church Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,826 Points:363,015 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:29:46 PM Ignore 99church Report Abuse ditto 200 porter
DABEE1073 Champion Author San Diego Posts:8,210 Points:1,574,060 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:24:14 PM Ignore DABEE1073 Report Abuse I WILL HAVE TO GO ALONG WITH "200porter".
200porter Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,070 Points:543,110 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:21:40 PM Ignore 200porter Report Abuse They'd better off spending their time on making their cars more fuel efficient.
walkingtall Champion Author Toronto Posts:4,004 Points:1,122,655 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:19:58 PM Ignore walkingtall Report Abuse With today,s economy who can afford these advance items on your car.
PoohMcGoo Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,067 Points:801,185 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:19:50 PM Ignore PoohMcGoo Report Abuse Zzzzz
TDIdave Champion Author California Posts:5,068 Points:1,226,690 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:17:50 PM Ignore TDIdave Report Abuse ok.
fcdriver Champion Author Tennessee Posts:7,253 Points:1,474,805 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:11:22 PM Ignore fcdriver Report Abuse i would be more concerned with the drivers seat
g747 Champion Author Mobile Posts:4,546 Points:934,645 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:05:59 PM Ignore g747 Report Abuse Very interesting!!!!!.
kzrooster Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:2,390 Points:517,725 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:03:23 PM Ignore kzrooster Report Abuse Yes, like the Nissa Juke . . .looks like a frog!
dollarwatcher Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:7,950 Points:1,536,195 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:03:18 PM Ignore dollarwatcher Report Abuse They all look alike today.
TXHUNTER1 Champion Author Austin Posts:2,711 Points:295,385 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:01:00 PM Ignore TXHUNTER1 Report Abuse OK
bevmill Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,587 Points:601,520 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 6:00:42 PM Ignore bevmill Report Abuse ok
GOBUTLER Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:1,425 Points:390,585 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:59:42 PM Ignore GOBUTLER Report Abuse Interesting...
hagar2935 Veteran Author Nevada Posts:315 Points:85,155 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:56:15 PM Ignore hagar2935 Report Abuse They all look alike............ I miss our great cars of the '50s & 60's when cars had real unique designs
MINIWINI598 Champion Author Washington Posts:3,023 Points:519,675 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:55:12 PM Ignore MINIWINI598 Report Abuse ok
joeborge Champion Author Ventura Posts:2,536 Points:905,555 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:51:14 PM Ignore joeborge Report Abuse The front only has such a small area, not much car makers can do to make them distinctive.
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,084 Points:798,145 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:50:02 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse I agree. They all look alike.
kiosk12y Champion Author Tulsa Posts:3,622 Points:682,120 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:04:18 PM Ignore kiosk12y Report Abuse way cool, can't wait to see one! maybe one of the "3 amigos" will buy...maybe not, then we'd know who one is, then they'd be kicked out the club...lol! [Edited by: kiosk12y at 4/12/2012 7:07:43 PM EST]
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:5,190 Points:1,118,840 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:54:28 PM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse Cars are essentially supposed to get you from A to B.
felinePA All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:580 Points:41,105 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:42:03 PM Ignore felinePA Report Abuse With today economy. Who can afford these new advance cars.
Fitwit Champion Author Stockton Posts:6,404 Points:1,356,845 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:35:59 PM Ignore Fitwit Report Abuse I like the old ones with moustaches. In cars, not men.
2smooth1970 Champion Author California Posts:10,942 Points:1,789,580 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:30:26 PM Ignore 2smooth1970 Report Abuse It used to be fun to check out the new models, now they all look alike.
sivart Champion Author Arkansas Posts:18,232 Points:3,071,935 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:27:22 PM Ignore sivart Report Abuse I used to be able to tell one car from another coming down the road but now they all look alike!