speedflex

I'd like to have a discussion on the real value of "halo" cars. As the name implies, the purpose of a halo car is to cast a positive glow on a maker's brand and image perception. Of course, the ultimate objective is to increase sales in some way, either immediately or long term. But do halo cars truly accomplish what they are designed for? Your thoughts?

suislide

In a sense yes as they can introduce young buyers to buy their basic model cars and perhaps purchase the halo car as they grow older.
Example:
Acura: Integra>NSX
Honda: Civic>Si>S2000
Nissan: Versa>Sentra SE-R Spec V> Z> GT-R
Toyota: Corolla>Prius ? lol
BMW: 1series>3 series> M series
Chevy: Camaro> Corvette

IS-SV

For a fiscally sound company, cash-rich, profitable, stable, growing, well-established, industry leader, a halo car is great to have in the product portfolio. Companies in this league can afford a halo car no matter what the economics for the specific model are (that level of financial detail is confidential anyways).

LFA comes to mind...

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

I don't think halo cars are a necessity, but I do think they are important. When a supercar is created, The results of the technology, engineering, design (etc...) help influence and shape a brands future line-up

LexFather

Yes they are necessary and have been not just for the automobile industry but for any industry, any city if you want to be considered one of the best and if the company believes they are one of the best. . Showing the pinnacle of your engineering is of vital importance not just to showcase the best of a companies abilities but also what is learned can be put into other lower priced offerings.

It also allows for historical significance as time goes by no matter if its relevant or not. What is relevant is the company DID it.

It is all part of the plan though. Having a halo car and no clear plan or direction afterward can mean all that effort was wasted. The Jaguar XJ220 comes to mind.

Halo cars are also an "ace" card for owners of a particular brand. You might own an entry level watch for instance but if the company sells a $500,000 watch, it "trickles down" to consumers (and please don't tell me it doesn't matter, it does to consumers) with that $1,000 watch.

Mercedes has flaunted their halo cars over the years, even concept cars. They relate the Gullwing to the new SLS, a tried and proven strategy. We even have seen Nissan relate the GT-R to cars like the 370Z and Maxima/Altima. It allows marketing a HUGE advantage compared to companies that do not strive that far.

The Porsche 959 lost millions of dollars but Porsche learned so much from the car the tech is still used today. The 959 is cemented in history as one of the all time greats and showed the best the company can do. Mind you the next car after the 959, the 911 Turbo wasn't close in performance to the car. Porsche did it again with the CGT, producing a V-10 supercar that showed the best of their engineering. Now its the 918. This trickles down to all the other Porsches.

Even sometimes in failure, a halo car to help a brand. The VW Phaeton might have flopped but it showed VW could produce a car with the best of them, W-12, Bentley shared platform, a few world firsts and a breathtaking production plant. This halo did trickle down to other VWs which have been more successful.

I might touch the LFA later

lamar411

important from a marketing standpoint.

whoster

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbXezpOuU6k

959 and F40.

We still talk about them today.

superchan7

Any storied car manufacturer must have halo models. They drive the passion and enthusiasm that customers and car fans alike have for the brand. Even Lamborghini ended up with a halo car (Reventon) despite being a very exclusive brand already.

Halo cars are also the research platform for new techniques and equipment--gadgets for luxury cars and aero/performance parts for sports cars.