Reality Is Perception: The Truth about Car Brands
#16
Although I agree with the Lincoln part, I guess the Navigator is really putting them over that hump
#20
With Oldsmobile still on it?
No, seriously, I basically agree with you except that Subaru, Hyundai, and Kia IMO are all too low on the product excellence scale, and Mercedes, despite its reputation for safety engineering excellence, may be too high on the scale due to its unreliability.
No, seriously, I basically agree with you except that Subaru, Hyundai, and Kia IMO are all too low on the product excellence scale, and Mercedes, despite its reputation for safety engineering excellence, may be too high on the scale due to its unreliability.
Javier
#21
I agree it's a good idea, but out of courtesy to the person who started this thread in the first place, let's leave that up to him. What do you think, LexArazzo?
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-23-06 at 01:20 PM.
#23
#24
The ES350 is bascially a rebadged Camry, and some of the Acuras are basically Hondas in fancier clothing, but these companies also have cars that aren't just more expensive twins of less expensive mass market cars. Lincoln doesn't. Plus Infiniti doesn't belong there since they stopped making the I30, the similarities between the G35 and the 350Z not withstanding.
#25
You guys are both correct on this, to some extent. Nissans and Infinitis, Hondas and Acuras, Toyotas and Lexuses, etc...in many cases ( not all by any means ) DO come from the same common platform, drivetrain, and often the same unibody structures. But usually the upmarket versions of the cars will have noticeably better interiors, more standard and optional equipment, and in general, be more pleasant to drive, either from a luxury or a sporty point of view. Warranties, in some cases, are also longer on premium nameplates. So, in one sense, a Lincoln IS a rebadged Ford......in another sense it most definitely is NOT.
If this was not the case, there would be little reason for spending the extra money for the upmarket versions....the manufacturers have to give you something for the extra bucks you fork out. And, in some cases, the upmarket cars may be little or no more expensive than their lower-ranking cousins when incentives, dealer willingness to discount, and supply-and-demand pricing is taken into account.
If this was not the case, there would be little reason for spending the extra money for the upmarket versions....the manufacturers have to give you something for the extra bucks you fork out. And, in some cases, the upmarket cars may be little or no more expensive than their lower-ranking cousins when incentives, dealer willingness to discount, and supply-and-demand pricing is taken into account.
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-23-06 at 02:37 PM.
#26
Mmarshall is right.
A company's upscale division isn't as simple as a rebadged version of the parent company's model. A Mercury is most definately a rebadged Ford but Lincoln is a lot dfferent. Sharing a platform and some other parts doesn't make them the same.
I'm also tired of the Camry/ES relating by people. Drive an ES and tell me again that it is just a rebadged Camry. There's a whole world of difference.
A company's upscale division isn't as simple as a rebadged version of the parent company's model. A Mercury is most definately a rebadged Ford but Lincoln is a lot dfferent. Sharing a platform and some other parts doesn't make them the same.
I'm also tired of the Camry/ES relating by people. Drive an ES and tell me again that it is just a rebadged Camry. There's a whole world of difference.
#27
Mmarshall is right.
A company's upscale division isn't as simple as a rebadged version of the parent company's model. A Mercury is most definately a rebadged Ford but Lincoln is a lot dfferent. Sharing a platform and some other parts doesn't make them the same.
I'm also tired of the Camry/ES relating by people. Drive an ES and tell me again that it is just a rebadged Camry. There's a whole world of difference.
A company's upscale division isn't as simple as a rebadged version of the parent company's model. A Mercury is most definately a rebadged Ford but Lincoln is a lot dfferent. Sharing a platform and some other parts doesn't make them the same.
I'm also tired of the Camry/ES relating by people. Drive an ES and tell me again that it is just a rebadged Camry. There's a whole world of difference.
The new ES, unfortunately, is a big disappontment, for several reasons......which I have already covered in other threads and posts and whill not re-hash here.
#28
You guys can do whatever you like I do not know what kind of poll you have in mind though, regarding the kind of questions/options to put on the poll. Any suggestions ?
#29
Well, the first thing to do, obviously, is to remove Oldsmobile from the list.
Then, Jaguar should be added...it was somehow left out.
I would also add Isuzu, despite its small size in the American market with GM-rebadged trucks, Land Rover, Porsche, and Suzuki...those brands were also omitted.
I agree that Maserati, Ferrari, and Lamborghini should stay out....their products are generally too expensive or don't sell in significant enough numbers to be a factor nationwide, though you find them in SoCal and to a lesser extent here in the D.C. area.
Lotus is a question mark (?)......they are very small but growing.
Then, Jaguar should be added...it was somehow left out.
I would also add Isuzu, despite its small size in the American market with GM-rebadged trucks, Land Rover, Porsche, and Suzuki...those brands were also omitted.
I agree that Maserati, Ferrari, and Lamborghini should stay out....their products are generally too expensive or don't sell in significant enough numbers to be a factor nationwide, though you find them in SoCal and to a lesser extent here in the D.C. area.
Lotus is a question mark (?)......they are very small but growing.
Last edited by mmarshall; 12-23-06 at 06:21 PM.
#30
Anyway, we all know manufacturers share platforms across brands. This is nothing new. But to say it's just rebadged is inaccurate.