Car manufactures perception
Discussion
strummerville said:
trashbat said:
Where were Audi 30 years ago?
Building a groundbreaking rally winner. Today they have treated us to the bloated, unnecessarily aggressive Q7. Mercedes gave us the 190 Cosworth and the SL500 yet more recently the GLK and the R class
I couldn't agree more with the Audi statement. It was the first company that I thought about, which has changed its image to us from what it was 30 years ago.
And it has been quite apparent that clarkson's facts have been known to stretch the truth every now and again, but there is definitely some truth to this... As Aston Martin's cars might be beautiful, but the new Vanquish is essentially an old car, and when Honda produce something as amazing as the new NSX, line the two of them up and I bet a lot of people would still buy the Aston purely because of the prestigious image it has provided since its inception.
And it has been quite apparent that clarkson's facts have been known to stretch the truth every now and again, but there is definitely some truth to this... As Aston Martin's cars might be beautiful, but the new Vanquish is essentially an old car, and when Honda produce something as amazing as the new NSX, line the two of them up and I bet a lot of people would still buy the Aston purely because of the prestigious image it has provided since its inception.
peteA said:
What about the Koreans?
Kia would probably be the next one I'd point out.We all forgot Skoda, and to a lesser extent SEAT.
I'm not sure what to make of JLR in this respect, but it's certainly different times.
Someone mentioned Alfa but their perception has changed too (as has Fiat's). Maybe not enough yet, but I can't imagine there were many Arnas and 33s in the fleet lineup in 1984.
I think there's more truth in the statement than exceptions, but it's certainly not insurmountable.
I suspect that Clarkson's perceptions were decided 30 years ago and there's nothing anyone can do to change that.
Most manufacturers have changed significantly in that time (as has everything else) as have the perceptions of their boards and owners.
The world turns, but Clarkson still has to think of something incisive (or not) to say about it.
Most manufacturers have changed significantly in that time (as has everything else) as have the perceptions of their boards and owners.
The world turns, but Clarkson still has to think of something incisive (or not) to say about it.
I think he's generally correct.
Who bought a Renault Vel Satis rather than a BMW 3-series? No-one, because Renaults are just cheap French cars made of spit and tissue paper but BMWs are solid, well built executive cars aren't they.
Who bought a Skoda Octavia rather than a VW Golf? Not many, despite them sharing the same basic floorpan, suspension and engines but the Octavia giving you more space.
Who bought a Renault Laguna rather than a Volvo? Not that many, because the Volvo's are more safer cars aren't they (Laguna was first car to get Euro NCAP 5* rating).
Look at it this way, I'm holding 2 sets of keys. Both have the same list price but one's a Vauxhall Astra and the other's a VW Golf. Which does the average person instinctivly go for...?
Who bought a Renault Vel Satis rather than a BMW 3-series? No-one, because Renaults are just cheap French cars made of spit and tissue paper but BMWs are solid, well built executive cars aren't they.
Who bought a Skoda Octavia rather than a VW Golf? Not many, despite them sharing the same basic floorpan, suspension and engines but the Octavia giving you more space.
Who bought a Renault Laguna rather than a Volvo? Not that many, because the Volvo's are more safer cars aren't they (Laguna was first car to get Euro NCAP 5* rating).
Look at it this way, I'm holding 2 sets of keys. Both have the same list price but one's a Vauxhall Astra and the other's a VW Golf. Which does the average person instinctivly go for...?
//j17 said:
Look at it this way, I'm holding 2 sets of keys. Both have the same list price but one's a Vauxhall Astra and the other's a VW Golf. Which does the average person instinctivly go for...?
List price means nothing except for company car tax purposes, the Golf is far more expensive than the Astra. They both do the same job, but the perception is different.
Probably the most influential invention of the twentieth century was advertising, and brand building is a long term project.
That's why Formula One has so much money sloshing around. (and is so crap)
I cannot think of anything in the new car market that excites me. The dimensions of new cars continue to bloat yet our A and B roads have not got any wider. As time goes on I guess we shall see more hybrids and perhaps when I can get 300 mpg I'll buy one for work only. Smaller engined turbo charged cars. The prospect of autonomous cars. Even larger lights with less steel in the wings. I think we have seen the best years
Shaoxter said:
There is some truth in that statement, it's extremely difficult to change perceptions of car brands, and it's pretty much impossible for a regular manufacturer to go to a "premium" status.
I agree with the first bit, disagree with the latter - but it needs a new name. Lexus and Infiniti are the obvious examples, both from 1989.trashbat said:
agree with the first bit, disagree with the latter - but it needs a new name. Lexus and Infiniti are the obvious examples, both from 1989.
Should've added - without resorting to a name change or a takeover. Lexus/Infiniti wouldn't get away with charging premium prices if they were badged under Toyota/Nissan. I bet a lot of people don't even know the parent companies, they just associate a name with certain perceptions.Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff