Buick billboard targets Lexus AND new GM ads vs Toyota/Lexus
09-18-09 | 06:53 AM
#31
It is true that a lot of older people buy Buicks, but they are not as much of a Geezer-mobile as the auto press would have you believe. That is a classic, inaccurate stereotype that is somewhat removed from reality. Younger people DO buy new Buicks, though generally not in large numbers. I've posted about this many times on CAR CHAT, yet that old stereotype still seems to stick with some people. The Enclave, in particular (and the Rondevous and Rainier before that) had lower average-buyer ages than some other Buicks.
09-18-09 | 06:57 AM
#32
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,698
Likes: 68
From: MA
It is true that a lot of older people buy Buicks, but they are not as much of a Geezer-mobile as the auto press would have you believe. That is a classic, inaccurate stereotype that is somewhat removed from reality. Younger people DO buy new Buicks, though generally not in large numbers. I've posted about this many times on CAR CHAT, yet that old stereotype still seems to stick with some people. The Enclave, in particular (and the Rondevous and Rainier before that) had lower average-buyer ages than some other Buicks.
Kind of like the label put on Oldsmoblie in the pass. Buick, much like Hyundai are spending so much resourse in changing their brand image, when it is actually easier and cheaper to just get rid of the name that people associate a brand name with. Much like Datsun chnaging their name to Nissan or Gold star turing into LG.
09-18-09 | 06:59 AM
#33
That was the whole idea of spending milllions to get Tiger Wood as their spokesman, I cannot say that it has work out very well for Buick. The younger buyers still associate Buick with retirement Kind of like the label put on Oldsmoblie in the pass. Buick, much like Hyundai are spending so much resourse in changing their brand image, when it is actually easier and cheaper to just get rid of the name that people associate a brand name with. Much like Datsun chnaging their name to Nissan or Gold star turing into LG.
Kind of like the label put on Oldsmoblie in the pass. Buick, much like Hyundai are spending so much resourse in changing their brand image, when it is actually easier and cheaper to just get rid of the name that people associate a brand name with. Much like Datsun chnaging their name to Nissan or Gold star turing into LG.
I'm also in the how can anyone spend $40+K for a Hyundai camp.
09-18-09 | 07:10 AM
#34
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,315
Likes: 141
From: Illinois
It is true that a lot of older people buy Buicks, but they are not as much of a Geezer-mobile as the auto press would have you believe. That is a classic, inaccurate stereotype that is somewhat removed from reality. Younger people DO buy new Buicks, though generally not in large numbers. I've posted about this many times on CAR CHAT, yet that old stereotype still seems to stick with some people. The Enclave, in particular (and the Rondevous and Rainier before that) had lower average-buyer ages than some other Buicks.
09-18-09 | 07:14 AM
#35
In this weeks Sunday Chicago Tribune they did a (favorable) review of the new Lacrosse. In the article they said the average age of Buick buyers, excluding Enclave is 70. I'm old and even that seems high to me! Whatever the reasons I'm sure that Buick wants and needs to bring that number down.
Buick dealer owners and salesmen must make a bundle.
I'm in my 50's and both my grandparents drove Buicks years ago.
Last edited by Joeb427; 09-18-09 at 08:37 AM.
09-18-09 | 07:14 AM
#36
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,152
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From: Southeastern PA
In this weeks Sunday Chicago Tribune they did a (favorable) review of the new Lacrosse. In the article they said the average age of Buick buyers, excluding Enclave is 70. I'm old and even that seems high to me! Whatever the reasons I'm sure that Buick wants and needs to bring that number down.
09-18-09 | 07:32 AM
#37
Guest
Posts: n/a
I would like to add that right now is the worst time for the ES350 to be as disappointing as it is. Back in the 90ies and early 00's the only real direct competitor to the ES was perhaps the Acura TL. Everything else was either too small/sporty (3 series, C class), too expensive (5 series, E class) or just plan out awful.
Nowadays however the competition is more aggressive than ever, and more impressive than ever. You have this Buick, the Hundai Genesis, Lincoln MKS, all fighting for their piece of the pie. Lexus simply cannot afford to lose their share of the market with their bread and butter ES model. They need to do a major facelift on the ES, otherwise they will get blown out of the water.
Just look at the new Acura TL for instance. Its brand new and its sales are already pathetic. Its practically doomed at this point. This is what happens when you bring an non competitive product into a highly competitive market.
Nowadays however the competition is more aggressive than ever, and more impressive than ever. You have this Buick, the Hundai Genesis, Lincoln MKS, all fighting for their piece of the pie. Lexus simply cannot afford to lose their share of the market with their bread and butter ES model. They need to do a major facelift on the ES, otherwise they will get blown out of the water.
Just look at the new Acura TL for instance. Its brand new and its sales are already pathetic. Its practically doomed at this point. This is what happens when you bring an non competitive product into a highly competitive market.
That is with what you have pointed out, better and much improved competition. To me, it shows a big testament to the ES and what it stands for to people. I cannot lie and say I don't find other cars at its price more attractive but the ES hits its core buyer every time.
I think this ad does not work for them.
09-18-09 | 08:26 AM
#39
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,613
Likes: 89
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by LexBob2
In this weeks Sunday Chicago Tribune they did a (favorable) review of the new Lacrosse. In the article they said the average age of Buick buyers, excluding Enclave is 70. I'm old and even that seems high to me!
09-18-09 | 11:31 AM
#41
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
From: California
You have absolutely no basis or evidence that can even backup your statement on the success or failure of the LaCrosse.
09-18-09 | 11:39 AM
#42
I disagree. Look at the statistics for those buying the Enclave. The Enclave has absolutely succeeded and has significantly lowered the buying age for the Buick brand.
You have absolutely no basis or evidence that can even backup your statement on the success or failure of the LaCrosse.
You have absolutely no basis or evidence that can even backup your statement on the success or failure of the LaCrosse.
The LaCrosse may bring that 70 years of age to 55 but I doubt it.
09-18-09 | 11:46 AM
#43
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,315
Likes: 141
From: Illinois
No way around it, for good or bad, you decide, Buick cars are favored and purchased by an older crowd.
09-18-09 | 12:17 PM
#44
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,459
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From: Makati, Philippines
Reminds me of those BMW versus Audi billboards (in the state of California)....
Nevertheless, I guess this is a typical reaction from an outside but personally, I'm kinda shocked that in America, such is allowed.
Where I'm from though, if Toyota wants to make a comparison ad, they just say like "Brand H" (to represent say Honda) or "Brand N" (for Nissan) and whatnot. (basically from A-Z and whatever). So in short, where I'm from, Intel cannot say that they are better than "AMD" in their own advertisements. Perhaps they can say "better than the competition" but they cannot use a name of a competitor.
If Toyota (or any other carmaker or even any company period) were to do such a thing here, those ads would not even be approved by the regulatory agency here (i.e. DTI). The company and the one who put that ad may be penalized for this and would have to pay a fine. So there.
So with that said, it's interesting to see that you can actually mention such in your advertising over there in Stateside.....
Just an observation/insight
Nevertheless, I guess this is a typical reaction from an outside but personally, I'm kinda shocked that in America, such is allowed.
Where I'm from though, if Toyota wants to make a comparison ad, they just say like "Brand H" (to represent say Honda) or "Brand N" (for Nissan) and whatnot. (basically from A-Z and whatever). So in short, where I'm from, Intel cannot say that they are better than "AMD" in their own advertisements. Perhaps they can say "better than the competition" but they cannot use a name of a competitor.
If Toyota (or any other carmaker or even any company period) were to do such a thing here, those ads would not even be approved by the regulatory agency here (i.e. DTI). The company and the one who put that ad may be penalized for this and would have to pay a fine. So there.
So with that said, it's interesting to see that you can actually mention such in your advertising over there in Stateside.....
Just an observation/insight
09-18-09 | 01:03 PM
#45
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 14,100
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From: tech capital
It's a fact, and Buick is well aware of it. The challenges Buick faces in the US market go well beyond what lame journalists publish as their perceptions of the "geezer-pleasers". It's only recently that Buick introduced products that were competitive. Over the last 2 decades the Buick lineup consisted of mostly dated cars (w/pushrod engines, 4 speed trannys), low performance, ugly styling, low fuel efficiency, terrible depreciation, etc.