[Author Prev][Author Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Author Index][Thread Index] Re: Audi is shooting itself in both feet; Was: Re: Audi is starting to become GM!!!
Hairy green toads from Mars made Elliott Potter say: > YES!!!! I thought I was the only one noticing this!!! > I keep hearing people talking about VW's using the Audi V6, or the > quattro system, or sharing body panels, etc. But I think it's even > worse than GM: Think now, Toyota/Lexus! Tell me the difference between > a Toyota and a Lexus--about $10,000 and the nameplate! That's it! Same > engine, same suspension, same body panels, basically same interior... I > see this slowly happening to Audi/VW. Noticed similarities between the > new Bug and the TT? The Passat and the A6? > > It looks to me like they're getting much too close to each other. The > line between them is blurring, and the Audi badge doesn't have the > prestige that the Lexus badge has to compete. If you tell a Lexus owner > "hey why didn't you save $10K and buy a Toyota," they will say "Because > I'm driving a Lexus. It's the name." VW/Audi? Nope. When the VW's > all start having Synchro, what's going to make people get the Audi AWD > instead of the VW AWD? Not the name, the name Audi means nothing here. > Not the amazing handling differences or driveability differences, > they're getting much closer to each other. Maybe the luxury, but then > people will look at BM, Mercedes, SAAB, Volvo, etc. and prefer them > because who wants to drive a luxury car if no one else knows it? Well, this works for me. Lo these many years ago, when I first started lusting after a 4000CSQ in Alpine White, I couldn't handle the $20K price tag. So I looked at a VW Quantum Synchro instead. What did I find? The 4000 was a Nice Car (tm), while the Quantum was cheesy vinyl and plastic and looked more like a Hyundai then the Audi in comparison. And to top it off, it was only $2K less. Don't get me wrong, I love VW's. My family has owned 23 of them. I had 3: a Rabbit and 2 Golfs. If they imported the Golf Country to the US, I'd own one of those instead of my 100Q. Back then, the Audi/VW distinction was a real distinction. But over the years you started paying through the nose for the Audi badge. I'd rather save the $10K.... -- Andrew L. Duane (JOT-7) duane@zk3.dec.com Digital Equipment Corporation (603)-881-1294 110 Spit Brook Road M/S ZKO3-3/U14 Nashua, NH 03062-2698 Only my cat shares my opinions, and she doesn't have $10K.
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