Lexus dumping Taste of Lexus... =(
07-16-09, 10:34 AM
#16
btw, imho the same go with bmw and mb and audi events these yrs. they have all gone way downhill mostly coz' of the crowd
to some extend, i really feel for manufacturers. i know they want to get out there and show people, but the crowd really give them way too much trouble
07-16-09, 10:34 AM
#17
Lexus Champion
Thank god someone said it. I hinted at it in my post, but I was afraid i would sound like an elitist or crossing boundaries if i said anything about that.
07-16-09, 10:49 AM
#18
I know this was posted the other day, but I am really disappointed they are discontinuing the Taste of Lexus events. This event was partly what got me into my IS. Ringing an IS-F around a track with a pro driver was earth-moving. And the practice one gets learning how to avoid hazards and make evasive moves was invaluable. Not to mention testing the abilities of all the other models.
I hope they still offer some sort of similar venue and another way to get the $750 certificate.
Do you agree this is a good move or do you think TOL has purpose? How effective do you think it was for sales? I know Audi still does a similar event, do other manufacturers also do them?
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/13/l...on-compete-wi/
I hope they still offer some sort of similar venue and another way to get the $750 certificate.
Do you agree this is a good move or do you think TOL has purpose? How effective do you think it was for sales? I know Audi still does a similar event, do other manufacturers also do them?
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/13/l...on-compete-wi/
I worked for ESI who put on the GM Driving experience in 2003 & 2004
ESI bid $1 million to setup the events (tents & courses, cones) & staff & transport to next city (about 20 cities each year)
This event increased sales on average 20% the month after the event & tapered off from there
07-16-09, 11:08 AM
#19
yeah back then it was all class. i remember the first TOL i went, they had sushi and what not, and the people were all so polite and classy. you could tell they are higher class people who appreciate the events rather than taking advantage of them
btw, imho the same go with bmw and mb and audi events these yrs. they have all gone way downhill mostly coz' of the crowd
to some extend, i really feel for manufacturers. i know they want to get out there and show people, but the crowd really give them way too much trouble
btw, imho the same go with bmw and mb and audi events these yrs. they have all gone way downhill mostly coz' of the crowd
to some extend, i really feel for manufacturers. i know they want to get out there and show people, but the crowd really give them way too much trouble
In 2002 I worked a driving event for Aston Martin at the Ritz Carlton Dana Point & Pasadena. Invitees were from a list bought from American Express Black Cardholders. Over the 4 days about 25 couples attended & we sold 6 cars. This was a huge sucess since AM only sold abought 300 cars in the U.S. in 2001. I don't know how many units they sell annually now but with thier " entry level" cars I bet it's 5 times the 2001 total
07-16-09, 11:56 AM
#20
Yeah it's all about volume all the highline cars are searching for buyers at entry level prices. That's how I left Pontiac & joined Lexus & Porsche.
In 2002 I worked a driving event for Aston Martin at the Ritz Carlton Dana Point & Pasadena. Invitees were from a list bought from American Express Black Cardholders. Over the 4 days about 25 couples attended & we sold 6 cars. This was a huge sucess since AM only sold abought 300 cars in the U.S. in 2001. I don't know how many units they sell annually now but with thier " entry level" cars I bet it's 5 times the 2001 total
In 2002 I worked a driving event for Aston Martin at the Ritz Carlton Dana Point & Pasadena. Invitees were from a list bought from American Express Black Cardholders. Over the 4 days about 25 couples attended & we sold 6 cars. This was a huge sucess since AM only sold abought 300 cars in the U.S. in 2001. I don't know how many units they sell annually now but with thier " entry level" cars I bet it's 5 times the 2001 total
07-16-09, 12:03 PM
#21
The events that I've done this year & last have been done via email invite. I've noticed less crowds, less wait compared to years past because events were advertised to a select few instead of the general public via lexus.com, bmwusa.com etc.. Recently, I did the BMW M Tour & the Lexus event through Ryan. There were guys on bimmerpost who had no idea that the M tour was taking place because they never recieved an invite. In order to attend, you had to call an 800# with your invite code. Apparently BMW already had my information including name, address once the code was given. No one could give a friend a code to register. I guess this is a means to cut down on crowds, freeloaders etc? Mercedes has the same format now.
All in all, these events are great for prospective buyers & driving enthusiasts alike. Lexus needs to think about canning the Taste of Lexus. It is Events like this that create excitement and enthusiasm rather than magazines, t.v. & computer screens.
All in all, these events are great for prospective buyers & driving enthusiasts alike. Lexus needs to think about canning the Taste of Lexus. It is Events like this that create excitement and enthusiasm rather than magazines, t.v. & computer screens.
07-16-09, 12:30 PM
#22
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yeah back then it was all class. i remember the first TOL i went, they had sushi and what not, and the people were all so polite and classy. you could tell they are higher class people who appreciate the events rather than taking advantage of them
btw, imho the same go with bmw and mb and audi events these yrs. they have all gone way downhill mostly coz' of the crowd
btw, imho the same go with bmw and mb and audi events these yrs. they have all gone way downhill mostly coz' of the crowd
07-16-09, 12:41 PM
#23
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
The only event I went to that did not have the "cheap" crowd was one Audi put on at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. It was mostly held indoors and the crowd was a mature artsie bunch. This was when the Q7 was debuting, but they had rides in the then new RS4 with a pro driver behind the wheel.
07-16-09, 12:51 PM
#25
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Posts: n/a
I think the carmakers see this too, they are not stupid. While you can't judge a book by its cover it seems many of us share the same experiences. I don't want to be snobbish either but I was amazed at some of the behavior at the later events.
As stated, its not just the Lexus events but everyone's. As Henry stated if possible I would go AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE to avoid the big crowds.
Fizzboy7, true story, Audi was letting people drive the RS4 by themselves. Then some douchebag ripped up a RS4, I believe made a film, put it on an Audi forum site and Audi found it. Next thing you know they canned the RS4 rides b/c of one persons abuse
It was all over the internet.....
As stated, its not just the Lexus events but everyone's. As Henry stated if possible I would go AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE to avoid the big crowds.
Fizzboy7, true story, Audi was letting people drive the RS4 by themselves. Then some douchebag ripped up a RS4, I believe made a film, put it on an Audi forum site and Audi found it. Next thing you know they canned the RS4 rides b/c of one persons abuse
It was all over the internet.....
07-16-09, 01:15 PM
#27
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07-16-09, 02:25 PM
#28
I liked the tol events i never really noticed any poor people lol most of them were mid 20's or older couple/people at the ones around here. I had alot of fun at them it was fun to test drive cars i have been interested in but not driven they should keep but have it for lexus owners only and they can bring a guest or 2. O well the economy sucks not surprising.
07-16-09, 04:13 PM
#29
I liked the tol events i never really noticed any poor people lol most of them were mid 20's or older couple/people at the ones around here. I had alot of fun at them it was fun to test drive cars i have been interested in but not driven they should keep but have it for lexus owners only and they can bring a guest or 2. O well the economy sucks not surprising.
07-16-09, 04:33 PM
#30
The only event I went to that did not have the "cheap" crowd was one Audi put on at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood. It was mostly held indoors and the crowd was a mature artsie bunch. This was when the Q7 was debuting, but they had rides in the then new RS4 with a pro driver behind the wheel.