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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.

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Submitted Apr 12, 2012 By: Mudsprings

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2smooth1970 Champion Author California Posts:10,947 Points:1,790,555 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:30:26 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:18,238 Points:3,072,910 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:27:22 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!
PathTrack Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,204 Points:134,855 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:26:29 PM Ignore PathTrack Report Abuse fcol
waynemustang Champion Author Indiana Posts:6,387 Points:1,667,735 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:26:25 PM Ignore waynemustang Report Abuse Few cars have personality. It is always performance cars and a few special interest cars. Ugliest are the econoboxes.
JXD Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:1,284 Points:1,060,735 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:24:53 PM Ignore JXD Report Abuse My my, what next!
DCbeachbum Champion Author South Carolina Posts:2,647 Points:906,315 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:17:57 PM Ignore DCbeachbum Report Abuse Today it is difficult to tell what make of vehicle is driving down the road. They all seem to look alike to me. Until I get close enough to read the makers name on it.
NemoIL Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,035 Points:1,315,170 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:13:44 PM Ignore NemoIL Report Abuse I wish they would concern themselves as much with archiving higher mpg.
MTPokts Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:2,280 Points:777,040 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:13:00 PM Ignore MTPokts Report Abuse The Insight's must convey "I'm getting my kidney's beat up".
MarAzul Champion Author London Posts:3,786 Points:681,435 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:11:37 PM Ignore MarAzul Report Abuse ok.
BKool Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,273 Points:1,902,255 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:10:10 PM Ignore BKool Report Abuse Not surprising since advertising execs capture the public through "emotional" appeals that the public is often unaware of and somrtimes will not admit to anyway.
arb0526 Champion Author Greensboro Posts:1,986 Points:412,570 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:08:20 PM Ignore arb0526 Report Abuse good grief !
WillyG Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:3,563 Points:908,040 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:05:42 PM Ignore WillyG Report Abuse What about the "butts" ? Let's not discriminate . . .
LegoVasavouchi Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:1,659 Points:114,390 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:04:17 PM Ignore LegoVasavouchi Report Abuse Fascinating.
TNT2EC Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:5,004 Points:1,515,535 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:03:07 PM Ignore TNT2EC Report Abuse Ok
EVBuddy Champion Author Nevada Posts:16,695 Points:3,033,320 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:02:52 PM Ignore EVBuddy Report Abuse They do?????
Louscanon Champion Author Baltimore Posts:13,860 Points:2,768,515 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:02:12 PM Ignore Louscanon Report Abuse "Under my plan energy prices would necessarily skyrocket," Barack Obama.
genirose Champion Author Arkansas Posts:4,448 Points:967,015 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 5:01:26 PM Ignore genirose Report Abuse As far as the way a car looks, I always look at the front first, then the back, then the side to see how big the trunk could be, and to see how easy it would be to back up without hitting anything...but so many cars look like trucks, instead of being nice looking. I had a vehicle behind me last weekend that I thought was a Ford Van, but then it turned off and I saw it was a car...
PithyOpiner Champion Author Stockton Posts:16,220 Points:1,599,495 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:56:26 PM Ignore PithyOpiner Report Abuse How about those Buicks from the 50's with the big boobs on the front bumpers. They use to turn me on as high school boy on the way to school each morning.
357revo Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:18,136 Points:2,386,555 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:53:34 PM Ignore 357revo Report Abuse Give me aerodynamic before personality.
knot2swift Champion Author Calgary Posts:4,393 Points:698,930 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:52:04 PM Ignore knot2swift Report Abuse What does this idiot article have to say? Let's get this this straight...The manufacturers are looking at being more human after a near death experience? Well good for them for finding life again.
TelsaOR Champion Author Oregon Posts:3,566 Points:733,965 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:51:47 PM Ignore TelsaOR Report Abuse How it preforms is far more important.
MG_Sputnik Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:7,315 Points:1,962,355 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:50:27 PM Ignore MG_Sputnik Report Abuse No car's front end can have more personality than my MG!
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:34,303 Points:2,373,320 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:49:08 PM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse whats next ?
PithyOpiner Champion Author Stockton Posts:16,220 Points:1,599,495 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:46:00 PM Ignore PithyOpiner Report Abuse Yeah, you know, I always thought my car had an attitude and disliked me driving it. I'm talking about my Lincoln Towncar. It gives me the impression when I get in to drive off...."Oh, you again?" I'm getting damn tired of this stuck up attitude but I don't quite know how to deal with it.
ItisAJeepThing Champion Author Tucson Posts:19,765 Points:2,153,530 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:45:53 PM Ignore ItisAJeepThing Report Abuse Vehicle makers need to be studying ways to switch us to American natural gas. We use U.S. natural gas to heat our house and to cook our food. The country should be converting to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an American alternative to imported oil based fuels for heavy duty highway diesel trucks, local busses and construction equipment. This would reduce the price of diesel fuel and increase its availability for use in high efficiency cars and light trucks. Put CNG refueling facilities at all Interstate truck stops. This will increase the amount of gasoline available and reduce its price for the rest of us until high mileage vehicles become cheaper. America can become energy independent!
ItisAJeepThing Champion Author Tucson Posts:19,765 Points:2,153,530 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:43:37 PM Ignore ItisAJeepThing Report Abuse This is a Jeep: (IIII)
bababooey2 Champion Author Hartford Posts:6,357 Points:1,304,565 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:42:36 PM Ignore bababooey2 Report Abuse They all look to much the same to me.
DandyDapple All-Star Author North Dakota Posts:715 Points:312,320 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:42:19 PM Ignore DandyDapple Report Abuse Best face forward? ... ;-)
Gas Thirsty Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,882 Points:3,230,420 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:40:11 PM Ignore Gas Thirsty Report Abuse Gotta put an impression on the face.
Cuzilla Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:12,196 Points:2,351,130 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:39:07 PM Ignore Cuzilla Report Abuse That may be the only thing different about them. They look like monochromatic jelly beans to me.
balljars Champion Author Michigan Posts:8,113 Points:1,610,595 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:38:28 PM Ignore balljars Report Abuse Kinda off the subject.
ChuckGVT Champion Author Vermont Posts:6,708 Points:1,695,150 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:32:53 PM Ignore ChuckGVT Report Abuse After seeing the 1908 race article, I didn't think things could get any worse and then GasBuddy proved me wrong.
tasha88CA All-Star Author California Posts:602 Points:43,315 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:32:46 PM Ignore tasha88CA Report Abuse k
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:8,495 Points:1,673,120 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:30:52 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse CsscO... I disagree there have been dozens worse than this, lol! [Edited by: Z51Corvette at 4/12/2012 4:31:26 PM EST]
Gramps001 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:5,867 Points:1,366,590 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:29:50 PM Ignore Gramps001 Report Abuse Like we say...Beauty is skin deep but UGLY is to the BONE! Don't you buy NO UGLY CAR, heah?
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:8,495 Points:1,673,120 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:29:46 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse The Falcon and Torino shared sheet metal in the beginning. Lots of cars are now... I prefer the older cars... Better personality!
melvindale Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,438 Points:351,230 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:26:42 PM Ignore melvindale Report Abuse There's the problem of having a business magazine writing about cars. Apparently the author thinks that Lincoln and Mercury are interchangeable. He said Lincoln was often a Ford with a different grille. That never happened (it did once to Cadillac and they took nearly 20 years to put it behind them). Lincolns have always been separate if for no other reason than being larger on the same chassis. Mercury, on the other hand, started sharing sheet metal in 1971 on the Comet/Maverick, then in 1972 on the Bobcat/Pinto and the whole lineup by 1979 with the advent of the new Marquis/LTD bodies. The LTD/Marquis would be improved upon, but never replaced until the demise of Mercury and the demise of what Ford then called Crown Victoria. Crown Victoria itself being a cheapening of what was in the past the very best Ford made, and then only occasionally. But I have been known to lump business terms together....
cssco Champion Author Virginia Posts:7,337 Points:1,753,480 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:25:00 PM Ignore cssco Report Abuse This is the least impressive non-gasoline story this year.
stopforgas All-Star Author Mississippi Posts:996 Points:481,705 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:24:25 PM Ignore stopforgas Report Abuse I like the 60's and 70's mucle car look that they are bringing back. Like the Camaro... very cool.
nemoFL Champion Author Florida Posts:8,811 Points:1,612,225 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:24:12 PM Ignore nemoFL Report Abuse perhaps if the motorist were allowed to have their input
mindrisa Veteran Author Denver Posts:380 Points:134,830 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:23:01 PM Ignore mindrisa Report Abuse ok
satrn38mpg Champion Author Raleigh Posts:5,082 Points:1,055,965 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:22:55 PM Ignore satrn38mpg Report Abuse ok
LSU_TIGERS_dmb Champion Author Louisiana Posts:1,717 Points:622,580 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:22:35 PM Ignore LSU_TIGERS_dmb Report Abuse Cool
Tucker1961 Champion Author Seattle Posts:2,157 Points:363,170 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:21:07 PM Ignore Tucker1961 Report Abuse sweet
btex49 Champion Author Austin Posts:2,730 Points:533,030 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:18:45 PM Ignore btex49 Report Abuse Looks are a bonus... gas mileage and function are more important.
madison8359 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:9,039 Points:1,595,245 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:17:03 PM Ignore madison8359 Report Abuse And this matters for sales as well as self-esteem of the owners.
h2ojumper Champion Author Austin Posts:2,570 Points:709,585 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:16:53 PM Ignore h2ojumper Report Abuse ok
Legend1500 All-Star Author Midland Odessa Posts:964 Points:569,325 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:16:29 PM Ignore Legend1500 Report Abuse K
Kato51 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:7,275 Points:2,166,715 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:13:39 PM Ignore Kato51 Report Abuse And if well done will certainly lower the price of gas.
srchr Champion Author San Jose Posts:7,259 Points:1,621,025 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:12:42 PM Ignore srchr Report Abuse important for sales
gils Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,706 Points:645,675 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:11:28 PM Ignore gils Report Abuse ok
greentre All-Star Author Pensacola Posts:803 Points:277,565 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:10:42 PM Ignore greentre Report Abuse Whatever! Make them last longer before falling apart and then we'll talk.