Audi A1 enters production in Oct.
#31
Indeed but I can think of several similar stories where the courts deemed it highly improbable for there to be confusion between the two products or companies. If the products are not even relatively similar in any way, shape or form it will not hold up even in the most severe U.S. courthouses.
#32
Indeed but I can think of several similar stories where the courts deemed it highly improbable for there to be confusion between the two products or companies. If the products are not even relatively similar in any way, shape or form it will not hold up even in the most severe U.S. courthouses.
#33
Not here in the Northeast they are not, I think I have seen one 1 series so far. For a entry level sedan, the 1 series should out sell all BMW models. or at least come close to it. The last time I check, the 3 series out sell the 1 series 6 to 1 and even going up two steps in the model lineup, the 5 series sell 4.5 times as much as the 1 series in the US. I could not call those sales numbers for the 1 series a success.
Audi marketers should take note. If the A1 does come stateside, they should do a version that opens up the Audi market to those who are currently priced out, and not just do what BMW did......make it an A1 with A3/A4 engines. However, it is hard to argue against the 2.0T, if Audi decides to use it...that is a superb powerplant; one of my favorites.
#34
Although this thread is about the A1 (not headed for US market anyway), I will put in my 2 cents on the 1 series since everybody else is.
The 1 series is ugly and overpriced and it's US sales rate of 1000 units a month is weak even in a recessionary economy. On the subject of making the car more downmarket (with 4 cylinder engine, etc.) in the hope of increasing sales, BMW and Mercedes have both had poor success in the US market with sawed-off, 4 cylinder, lower-priced versions of their cars.
The 1 series is ugly and overpriced and it's US sales rate of 1000 units a month is weak even in a recessionary economy. On the subject of making the car more downmarket (with 4 cylinder engine, etc.) in the hope of increasing sales, BMW and Mercedes have both had poor success in the US market with sawed-off, 4 cylinder, lower-priced versions of their cars.
#35
#36
I agree IS-SV, BMW making a 1 series with downsize engine or Audi selling the A1 in the US market is a mistake. It will hurt the image of the brand name. I beleive thats the reason why BMW made the 1 series so expensive, it is to not cheapen the brand name. Audi is trying to make a name for itself now in the US luxury market, it would be a big mistake to introduce a $20000 car now. I think we all have learn from Acura and what happen to them when they started making $20000 cars.
#37
I agree IS-SV, BMW making a 1 series with downsize engine or Audi selling the A1 in the US market is a mistake. It will hurt the image of the brand name. I beleive thats the reason why BMW made the 1 series so expensive, it is to not cheapen the brand name. Audi is trying to make a name for itself now in the US luxury market, it would be a big mistake to introduce a $20000 car now. I think we all have learn from Acura and what happen to them when they started making $20000 cars.
#38
Brand name means everything to a car company like BMW, they spend years and millions trying to build it up. If one can get a BMW for around $20000, a lot of people will start to see the whole BMW line up in a different light. Thats why Rolls Royal do not sell sub compacts and that is exactly why Audi is not going to introduce the A1 in the US market.
#40
There is a Volkswagen Polo GTI in Europe, but it doesn't sell well at all. In fact, I consider the Polo GTI to be a pointless vehicle. The resale value on those things is also very poor.
#41
Agreed.....to an extent. The VW/Audi 2.0T is one of the most responsive small engines, for its size, I can think of. Other good examples (with slightly larger displacement) can be found in the Mitsubishi Ralliart/Evo and Subaru WRX/STi. Many non-turbo engines that size, though, can be outrun by the average snail.
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04-12-10 07:20 PM