No market for 'world car', says automotive specialist

Carmakers will never create a car that can sell equally well in all global markets, says German supplier Robert Bosch.

The electronic specialist will continue to develop components for vehicles that have regional differences, says Bernd Bohr, head of Bosch's automotive division.

"There's no such thing as a world car," Bohr said. "Markets are too different for a single design to work everywhere. The top three markets - Europe, North America and Japan - have wide differences that affect design. Fuel costs are far lower in the United States, whose drivers like SUVs. Small cars dominate in Europe and Japan.

"Regulations focus on carbon dioxide emissions in Europe, safety in Japan and fuel economy in the United States. Developing diesel powertrains is important in Europe. North America concentrates on gasoline engines, and Japan develops hybrids. Even buyer motivations vary by market: cost in the United States, tradition in Europe and quality in Japan."