The term "Malaise Era" was coined in a 2008 review of the 1977 Ford Granada, a common car at the time with many of the era's design and performance hallmarks.
In automotive history, the Malaise Era refers to a period from roughly the early 1970s to the early- to mid-1980s, characterized by malaise—poor products and a generalized industry unease[1]—and profound adjustment as the United States automotive industry attempted to adapt to new demands for more fuel-efficient, safe, and environmentally-responsible products.
The Malaise Era is often said to have begun with regulations that coincided with or resulted from the 1973 oil crisis, and was marked by notable changes in automotive design that focused on relatively fuel-efficient large personal luxury cars and small compact cars, contrasting with the well-accepted but fuel-inefficient ponton and muscle car designs of preceding decades. The era also saw major encroachments of foreign manufacturers in the American automobile market, especially Japanese automakers, posing a threat to the Big Three (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler).
When the Malaise Era ended is debated, but it is generally accepted to be around 1983 or 1984, when most of the designs and flaws of the era were phased out by improvements and regulations. Malaise Era automobiles have long been associated with poor quality, weak performance, and unexciting designs, and are generally not sought after by most car enthusiasts compared to classic cars from other design eras, though favor and appeal for them has since grown over time, somewhat fueled by nostalgia.
^Martin, Murilee (14 August 2023). "What Defines the Malaise Era, and Will We Experience It Again?". Capital One Auto Navigator. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
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