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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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gils Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,706 Points:645,650 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:11:28 PM Ignore gils Report Abuse ok
greentre All-Star Author Pensacola Posts:788 Points:276,055 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.
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:8,270 Points:2,266,615 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:10:03 PM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse Interesting
rpr77 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:3,901 Points:768,260 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:08:27 PM Ignore rpr77 Report Abuse ok
TBRR Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:3,672 Points:599,320 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:07:29 PM Ignore TBRR Report Abuse what a line of crap! has nothing to do with the price of oil and/or gas. oh, i forgot most americans buy vehicles that look pretty without a care of the cost of maintenance. so that's what detroit builds.
otis2010 Champion Author Toledo Posts:2,980 Points:801,405 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:04:17 PM Ignore otis2010 Report Abuse ok
eric2theem Sophomore Author Riverside Posts:105 Points:30,155 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 4:00:51 PM Ignore eric2theem Report Abuse I like how so many of you respond with one word to these posts! Anyways i still think Honda front ends are the leading innovation they have created front ends that not only look cool and futuristic but functional for safety of collisions with pedestrians.
billk44077 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,177 Points:631,555 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:55:54 PM Ignore billk44077 Report Abuse so
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,800 Points:414,090 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:54:21 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse Amazing how car companies pull out all the stops to increase sales, any way possible. Thanks, focus groups.
bobsalwaysmt Champion Author Long Island Posts:4,660 Points:265,815 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:54:07 PM Ignore bobsalwaysmt Report Abuse C'mon, Stop already!!! Price of GAS???
J Eric Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:10,277 Points:2,072,080 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:48:46 PM Ignore J Eric Report Abuse True! Beamers have a cute look, Edsels looked like they had chewed on a lemon. Challengers look mean. VW Beetles just look like stinkbugs. [Edited by: J Eric at 4/12/2012 3:53:40 PM EST]
tree_shakker Veteran Author Ontario Posts:427 Points:187,480 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:47:36 PM Ignore tree_shakker Report Abuse So what!
032946 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:19,860 Points:4,044,045 Joined:Oct 2001	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:45:05 PM Ignore 032946 Report Abuse Sounds like some one has some serious problems.
paty2k Champion Author Florida Posts:1,603 Points:275,060 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:42:30 PM Ignore paty2k Report Abuse Yeah right...
dpt Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,254 Points:2,203,865 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:41:54 PM Ignore dpt Report Abuse There is still something of a "company look" about some grilles, although there's a lot more sameness than there used to be. I remember when I was a kid, Buicks of the late 40s or early 50s all looked like they were frowning.
Red7002011 Champion Author Mississippi Posts:3,332 Points:668,720 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:40:57 PM Ignore Red7002011 Report Abuse Really!
UWHusky Rookie Author Toledo Posts:48 Points:18,115 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:40:06 PM Ignore UWHusky Report Abuse who um cares?
DirtDauber Champion Author San Antonio Posts:6,786 Points:1,628,435 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:36:47 PM Ignore DirtDauber Report Abuse How it looks does not matter, they all look pretty much the same. How it preforms is far more important.
f250dieselrat All-Star Author Florida Posts:671 Points:288,395 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:36:07 PM Ignore f250dieselrat Report Abuse im bored of this article...
bigoilscamsus Champion Author Lansing Posts:1,058 Points:48,265 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:31:02 PM Ignore bigoilscamsus Report Abuse Protest high gas prices!! Picket the 15 highest priced gas stations in your area!!Join the protest at the WALK ON WASHINGTON and at all the other State Capitals on Friday June 1st 2012!1 Bring your protest signs and let Big Oil know what you think of the obscene profits that Big Oil extorts from the American consumer!!
unicornpmb Champion Author Buffalo Posts:8,491 Points:1,629,515 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:27:10 PM Ignore unicornpmb Report Abuse Right.
me2002 All-Star Author Toledo Posts:763 Points:319,205 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:25:39 PM Ignore me2002 Report Abuse Weird
bigrigAZ Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,738 Points:1,053,685 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:24:39 PM Ignore bigrigAZ Report Abuse Glad you explained that. Seems like they all look alike. The only way to tell what kind of cars they are today is to know the emblem on the back or some where. Doesn't seem to have any imigination anymore. 50's, 60, and 70's you could tell what kind of car it was a block away. Now if you see an accident and the police or tv news reports what kind of car was it? - it was a white car either a sedan or SUV. "If you see this white sedan call your local police or read about it on our TV network site. Good luck!
caddilac Champion Author Ontario Posts:16,606 Points:2,140,455 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:24:00 PM Ignore caddilac Report Abuse Nonsense.
insightcruzer All-Star Author Oakland Posts:552 Points:191,145 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:21:39 PM Ignore insightcruzer Report Abuse like the old saying goes, "we eat with our eyes and not our stomachs" and so, apparently, we purchase with our eyes and not our knowledge of a vehicle's stats.
hank1326 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:8,914 Points:1,733,810 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:15:56 PM Ignore hank1326 Report Abuse Make them functional and practical. Otherwise, it is a waste of time and resources.
PerSonneL Champion Author Alberta Posts:1,188 Points:736,915 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:13:01 PM Ignore PerSonneL Report Abuse not sure
PhilMils Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,257 Points:1,186,025 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:04:16 PM Ignore PhilMils Report Abuse How about that.
Go_E85 Champion Author Orange County Posts:2,228 Points:174,580 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 3:01:57 PM Ignore Go_E85 Report Abuse Inspired by Disney ?
RAC110 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:5,954 Points:1,852,620 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 2:59:38 PM Ignore RAC110 Report Abuse they use to pay people to test mattresses
snappytom2 Champion Author Corpus Christi Posts:3,551 Points:274,770 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 2:57:44 PM Ignore snappytom2 Report Abuse How much did they pay the guy who put the face on the Edsel?
mfeldstein Champion Author Ottawa Posts:8,176 Points:1,931,455 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 2:54:46 PM Ignore mfeldstein Report Abuse So when I buy a car, part of the price is to pay the salary of a guy (or gal) whose job is to focus on car faces? There's a way to lower the price here - let's do it.
carloco75 Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,716 Points:600,365 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 2:52:35 PM Ignore carloco75 Report Abuse That article link is messed up...first it took me to an add than that page went to Forbes main page... It worked the 2nd time...
NoStrings Champion Author Ventura Posts:1,387 Points:271,280 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 2:51:12 PM Ignore NoStrings Report Abuse ok
stpetebp Champion Author Tampa Posts:6,227 Points:1,733,555 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 2:43:36 PM Ignore stpetebp Report Abuse Personality, now thats funny
rd2000 Champion Author Florida Posts:3,576 Points:687,970 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 2:43:30 PM Ignore rd2000 Report Abuse yes, whatever.
Nancy&Len Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,053 Points:1,945,815 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 2:42:42 PM Ignore Nancy&Len Report Abuse Who cares.
dunedate All-Star Author California Posts:890 Points:146,580 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 2:40:45 PM Ignore dunedate Report Abuse Whatever
THX138 Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,560 Points:1,014,905 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 2:40:15 PM Ignore THX138 Report Abuse So THAT'S why today's cars look so stupid
Agarre Champion Author Richmond Posts:1,335 Points:263,785 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 1:29:36 PM Ignore Agarre Report Abuse Base as Back ends ?
ToolinIt Champion Author Colorado Posts:1,803 Points:887,195 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 1:20:28 PM Ignore ToolinIt Report Abuse The tail lights are nice on the new Camero. [Edited by: ToolinIt at 4/12/2012 1:21:42 PM EST]
leemun Champion Author Utah Posts:5,533 Points:1,040,125 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 1:07:23 PM Ignore leemun Report Abuse I always thought front ends looked like faces. Note that the Edsel front end looks like someone who just sucked on something really sour. Like a lemon.
ModelWarships Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,795 Points:1,232,085 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 12:49:13 PM Ignore ModelWarships Report Abuse yawn, they all look alike.
FunMyster All-Star Author Indiana Posts:907 Points:73,215 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 12:43:58 PM Ignore FunMyster Report Abuse OK
Travel1st Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:2,925 Points:471,635 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 12:25:48 PM Ignore Travel1st Report Abuse ok
bart_reed Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,974 Points:786,505 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 11:47:46 AM Ignore bart_reed Report Abuse Just what I want. A car with a personality. Can it give me a backrub?
orcar Champion Author Boise Posts:2,058 Points:777,765 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 11:23:53 AM Ignore orcar Report Abuse There are some cars that are so ugly you have to wonder what anyone saw in the pictures.
vjs3 Champion Author Denver Posts:2,541 Points:649,915 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 11:02:00 AM Ignore vjs3 Report Abuse The back end is telling too...
PrinceLH Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,697 Points:539,020 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 11:01:25 AM Ignore PrinceLH Report Abuse Shallow!
CapriceWagon All-Star Author Washington Posts:939 Points:479,070 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 11:00:57 AM Ignore CapriceWagon Report Abuse Usually I think of tail lights as more telling than grilles, especially with Cadillac's vertical fins and Impala's triple rounds. The new Camaros are smiling, but I usually like aggressive or angry faces on cars
grammamNV Champion Author Nevada Posts:2,335 Points:372,425 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 11:00:32 AM Ignore grammamNV Report Abuse ok then