OK - I'm convinced. Audi has no idea what they are doing by not bringing the Avant.
02-19-2009, 08:55 AM
#52
One thing has nothing to do with the other.
The R8's sole purpose is to bring press and prestige to the brand. That's the point of a halo product. An S4 or RS4 Avant doesn't really do that. I'll grant you that if AoA brought the RS4 Avant they'd get a few writeups from Motor Trend and C&D, but the buzz would end there and 99% of the US population would just scratch their heads as to what they were supposed to make of this station wagon. It's not the same advertising effect as the R8. Thus, it makes financial sense to take a loss on the R8, because you theoretically recoup that in other ways.
My guess is that with the RS4 cab they simply overestimated the demand for it. I think they believed that it would be a hit in the wealthy sunbelt areas like FL, SoCal, Vegas, etc. I will say that I have seen about as many RS4 cabs here in Seattle as I have S4 Avants (which is to say not all that many), and this is considered a STRONG Avant market.
If you were a hotel owner, would you comp a night to a high profile rock star for the press you would get of having him stay there? Of course. Would you comp a "really cool guy"? Probably not, because no one would notice.
My guess is that with the RS4 cab they simply overestimated the demand for it. I think they believed that it would be a hit in the wealthy sunbelt areas like FL, SoCal, Vegas, etc. I will say that I have seen about as many RS4 cabs here in Seattle as I have S4 Avants (which is to say not all that many), and this is considered a STRONG Avant market.
If you were a hotel owner, would you comp a night to a high profile rock star for the press you would get of having him stay there? Of course. Would you comp a "really cool guy"? Probably not, because no one would notice.
02-19-2009, 01:20 PM
#53
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Re: You might think there is a demand for avants
I had to wait for a shipment of Avants and then I only had 2 to choose from. I picked it up today and so far love it. I was ambivilant over my 07 A4 Sedan but I love this wagon.
2009 A4 Avant 2.0 Quattro
Meteor Gray, Premium Plus, Nav., walnut trim
2009 A4 Avant 2.0 Quattro
Meteor Gray, Premium Plus, Nav., walnut trim
02-19-2009, 10:35 PM
#56
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Oh I understand the difference, I just have a frustration with AoA as they seem to have forgotten
about us enthusiasts...
Basically we all want as much choice as possible here in the American Market, and especially for Avants...Realistically we know that we are going to get a very limited offering...
I'm happy that I don't have to pay European pricing for cars (as as a European I really know how expensive it is there), but I do miss the choice element...
I just have a feeling that once the gas prices go higher in the future then AoA will suddenly change their tune for what they offer...until that point they will gladly keep trying to see the current SUV flavor of the month...
Basically we all want as much choice as possible here in the American Market, and especially for Avants...Realistically we know that we are going to get a very limited offering...
I'm happy that I don't have to pay European pricing for cars (as as a European I really know how expensive it is there), but I do miss the choice element...
I just have a feeling that once the gas prices go higher in the future then AoA will suddenly change their tune for what they offer...until that point they will gladly keep trying to see the current SUV flavor of the month...
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