I just wanted to add that Clarkson is now known to be controversial. So it is part of his TV and journalistic persona to BE controversial. And that means with every year that passes he will need to be more controversial than the last. This can come by way of making fun of whole countries, cars, people and so on. He has, on more than one occasion, had a dig at us Welsh people. Which can put your nose out of joint at times, but when you realise it's part of what he is and to some degree what he has to be, you just take it with a massive pinch of salt and shrug it off. And though he has taken the mick out of our country (Wales I mean) a few times I have noticed that a heck of a lot of his road tests are carried out in our beautiful countryside and mountains. So he doesn't dislike us that much!

What I am getting at is that anyone who is offended by JCs banter should learn to not take it to heart. He is a fool, but a loveable one at that! He is slowly learning that American cars can be good, in the same way that he is acknowledging that some, indeed many, German cars can be bad. If it's any consolation, JC is apportioned blame for the downfall of MG Rover. He didn't pull his punches at taking the mick out of what the plucky Brits could manage on a shoe string budget, and for some that was unpatriotic. But, again, it's his way!