Here is the VW D1.... Which car to get A8 or D1
10-11-2001, 08:10 AM
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Here is the VW D1.... Which car to get A8 or D1
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/26475/01.jpg"></center><p>Here is a pic that VW just put out on the New D1. What do you think.<ul><li><a href="http://www.vwvortex.com/news/index_d1_01.html">http://www.vwvortex.com/news/index_d1_01.html</a</li></ul>
10-11-2001, 09:10 AM
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Very nice.
I could drive that, with either of the powerful motors. If I was concerned about the "image thing" I'd probably de-badge it. Not to fault VW products, it's just that the image in the USA still contains a strong element of flower-child hippie vans and rusted out old bugs. That can be valuable capital in one market (the new bug advertising took advantage of it) but not for a premium luxury saloon.
10-11-2001, 12:42 PM
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IMHO, The D1 will only take sales away from the A8
Among premium luxury car makers, Audi has the lowest prestige (it is a newcomer compared to Jaguar, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, etc). Therefore, people who don't care about image or prestige are attracted by the A8 because of its impressive technology and AWD. The same type of buyer will consider the D1. Status conscious buyers who opt for the S500 or 740i will not move down to a VW no matter how good the car is.
10-11-2001, 02:18 PM
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maybe confused brand marketing??
Way back when, GM had entry level (chevrolet), then several steps (pontiac, buick), until you finally got to luxury (cadillac).
Then the brands got status-smeared (in an american kind of way). The chevrolet caprice (large and reasonably outfitted though without all of the glitz of the upmarket steps) impinged on cadillac sales. Then the US auto companies got more confused as brand managers took off after their own stars in lieu of a comprehensive market stratification that would continue to benefit the company as well as the consumer.
I guess the Germans are getting Americanized!!
Then the brands got status-smeared (in an american kind of way). The chevrolet caprice (large and reasonably outfitted though without all of the glitz of the upmarket steps) impinged on cadillac sales. Then the US auto companies got more confused as brand managers took off after their own stars in lieu of a comprehensive market stratification that would continue to benefit the company as well as the consumer.
I guess the Germans are getting Americanized!!
10-12-2001, 02:10 AM
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Re: IMHO, The D1 will only take sales away from the A8
You are probably right regarding the prestige of Audi when it comes to North America, and just now. But it will change.
The situation is very different in other parts of the world. In western europe, Audi has mostly the same prestige as MB and BMW, and even partly higher. Lexus? No way, it has the prestige of an beefed-up Toyota over here, it is even considered quite tasteless.
Audi is aiming even higher, the VAG group wants it to be the designer brand. Modern design and technically advanced solutions is what VAG wants Audi to be known for, luxury and quality cars for individualists. Not a big part of the market obviously, they aim at ~5% of the total market if my mind serves me right.
Then they are taking VW the same way Audi has gone, from the midle mass-market car (like Chevy) to the upper mass-market car (like Buick). Skoda is coming up from the ashes to take the place VW had, and they are doing really good! Seat is aiming at the sport-oriented/young people part of the market, to be the answer to Alfa Romeo. Seat is doing *very* good here.
Of course there will be some internal competition between the brands, but I think the VAG group has the differentiation worked out quite good.
Yes, the D1 will take parts of the current A8 market, but probably also BMW (and Lexus/Infiniti for sure). But I believe the coming A8 will take *seriuos* BMW, MB and Jag market. It is now established and accepted as a more than worthy opponent to the 7's and S-class, so the new model will have a much easier task in stealing market shares than the first had.
BTW, did you see the "Lucky 7" comparo in Car and driver recently? Take a look here:
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/2001/September/200109_comparisontest_luckyseven.xml?&page=1
**************** SPOILER ALERT ******************
Scroll down for results.
The results:
1. BMW 540, closely followed by:
2. Audi A6 4,2q
3. Lexus GS430 (Man, that is one *lousy* styled car!)
4. Infiniti Q45
5. MB E430
6. Jaguar S-type
7. Cadillac DTS
--
/Kjell A
'97 A8 4,2 quattro tiptronic sport
The situation is very different in other parts of the world. In western europe, Audi has mostly the same prestige as MB and BMW, and even partly higher. Lexus? No way, it has the prestige of an beefed-up Toyota over here, it is even considered quite tasteless.
Audi is aiming even higher, the VAG group wants it to be the designer brand. Modern design and technically advanced solutions is what VAG wants Audi to be known for, luxury and quality cars for individualists. Not a big part of the market obviously, they aim at ~5% of the total market if my mind serves me right.
Then they are taking VW the same way Audi has gone, from the midle mass-market car (like Chevy) to the upper mass-market car (like Buick). Skoda is coming up from the ashes to take the place VW had, and they are doing really good! Seat is aiming at the sport-oriented/young people part of the market, to be the answer to Alfa Romeo. Seat is doing *very* good here.
Of course there will be some internal competition between the brands, but I think the VAG group has the differentiation worked out quite good.
Yes, the D1 will take parts of the current A8 market, but probably also BMW (and Lexus/Infiniti for sure). But I believe the coming A8 will take *seriuos* BMW, MB and Jag market. It is now established and accepted as a more than worthy opponent to the 7's and S-class, so the new model will have a much easier task in stealing market shares than the first had.
BTW, did you see the "Lucky 7" comparo in Car and driver recently? Take a look here:
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/features/2001/September/200109_comparisontest_luckyseven.xml?&page=1
**************** SPOILER ALERT ******************
Scroll down for results.
The results:
1. BMW 540, closely followed by:
2. Audi A6 4,2q
3. Lexus GS430 (Man, that is one *lousy* styled car!)
4. Infiniti Q45
5. MB E430
6. Jaguar S-type
7. Cadillac DTS
--
/Kjell A
'97 A8 4,2 quattro tiptronic sport
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10-12-2001, 09:56 PM
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There are sporting brands and luxury brands. Let's review.
Sporting Volkswagen Brands:
Audi
Bentley
Lamborghini
Luxury Volkswagen Brands:
Bugatti
Rolls-Royce
Volkswagen
Crossover Volkswagen Brands:
Seat
Skoda
Cosworth Engineer RM Ltd
Audi's A2 and allroad
Audi
Bentley
Lamborghini
Luxury Volkswagen Brands:
Bugatti
Rolls-Royce
Volkswagen
Crossover Volkswagen Brands:
Seat
Skoda
Cosworth Engineer RM Ltd
Audi's A2 and allroad
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