Also European cars tended to have smaller engines, which weren't a great combination with the relative inefficiencies of torque converter style automatic transm

Also European cars tended to have smaller engines, which weren't a great combination with the relative inefficiencies of torque converter style automatic transmissions. However, newer dual clutch style transmissions work pretty well with small engines - I have a car with a 1l engine and DCT and it is a delight to drive.