More info on the next 370Z

kenchan · 08-19-2014, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b15

Interesting. Guess we'll see. If they do, I guess it'll be the first Korean luxury brand in the US. Stupid Americans, but I guess it's the reason why we have Lexus and Infiniti.

wat do you mean by this?

NoLaKrewe · 08-19-2014, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

wat do you mean by this?

I was confused by his post as well.

b15 · 08-19-2014, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

wat do you mean by this?

I mean the reason why exists was because Americans care about status. For many people, the badge/prestige is an important part of car ownership. To some that's all that matters. When the same product is badged differently and has different marketing to target the desired demographic (those who are 'too good' for the mainstream brands), now people all of a sudden see it in a different light. It's about status. To the average (dumb) American, 'Infiniti' is more luxurious than a Nissan, even though until recently Infiniti's wore the Nissan badge outside the US. For example, take the V36. In the US it's the Infiniti G35 sedan and the rest of the world a Nissan Skyline. Put these two identical cars in front of an American and guaranteed they'll think the Infiniti is better, because that's what they've been trained to think.

Obviously as the marques have developed, the manufacturers have started to differentiate the mainstream brand more from the luxury brand, but when they were first created, they were merely dressed up versions of the mainstream vehicle sold elsewhere in the world with different marketing.

Just like people state they could 'never pay $50k' for a Hyundai.....market it as a Genesis without mention of Hyundai, and the idiots will come. Heck there's a reason why the Hyundai logo is not on any of their luxury cars....

kenchan · 08-19-2014, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b15

I mean the reason why exists was because Americans care about status. For many people, the badge/prestige is an important part of car ownership. To some that's all that matters. When the same product is badged differently and has different marketing to target the desired demographic (those who are 'too good' for the mainstream brands), now people all of a sudden see it in a different light. It's about status. To the average (dumb) American, 'Infiniti' is more luxurious than a Nissan, even though until recently Infiniti's wore the Nissan badge outside the US. For example, take the V36. In the US it's the Infiniti G35 sedan and the rest of the world a Nissan Skyline. Put these two identical cars in front of an American and guaranteed they'll think the Infiniti is better, because that's what they've been trained to think.

Obviously as the marques have developed, the manufacturers have started to differentiate the mainstream brand more from the luxury brand, but when they were first created, they were merely dressed up versions of the mainstream vehicle sold elsewhere in the world with different marketing.

Just like people state they could 'never pay $50k' for a Hyundai.....market it as a Genesis without mention of Hyundai, and the idiots will come. Heck there's a reason why the Hyundai logo is not on any of their luxury cars....

oh ok, that makes sense. americans fooling their own kind, kinda.

Drakonis GTR · 08-20-2014, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b15

I mean the reason why exists was because Americans care about status. For many people, the badge/prestige is an important part of car ownership. To some that's all that matters. When the same product is badged differently and has different marketing to target the desired demographic (those who are 'too good' for the mainstream brands), now people all of a sudden see it in a different light. It's about status. To the average (dumb) American, 'Infiniti' is more luxurious than a Nissan, even though until recently Infiniti's wore the Nissan badge outside the US. For example, take the V36. In the US it's the Infiniti G35 sedan and the rest of the world a Nissan Skyline. Put these two identical cars in front of an American and guaranteed they'll think the Infiniti is better, because that's what they've been trained to think.

Obviously as the marques have developed, the manufacturers have started to differentiate the mainstream brand more from the luxury brand, but when they were first created, they were merely dressed up versions of the mainstream vehicle sold elsewhere in the world with different marketing.

Just like people state they could 'never pay $50k' for a Hyundai.....market it as a Genesis without mention of Hyundai, and the idiots will come. Heck there's a reason why the Hyundai logo is not on any of their luxury cars....

A lot of this thinking is because America for a long time dealt only with the Big 3; GM, Ford, and Chrysler, all of which had multiple brands that were acquired over the years and then turned into the brand tiers that we are all familiar with. The low level/economy market (Chevy, Ford, Plymouth), the mid tiers (Buick, Mercury, Dodge), and the up-scale tiers (Cadillac, Lincoln, and Chrysler) all allowed them to hit each market segment and still ultimately pick up the money. Then the other countries show up, and find themselves facing competition on almost every level. Is it truly such a surprise that they would inevitably decide that if it works, why not try it?

What is funny though is your thought that only American's feel this way. A number of European companies also practice this logic within their own bases. Audi, for example, is used by Volkswagen as their up-scale, snob level brand. And, while perhaps a more extreme example, Maybach is used by Mercedes as their super up-scale Rolls Royce competitor. Even Italian Fiat does this, using Alfa Romeo and Lancia (and getting their little cut from Ferrari) to hit the higher markets while keeping their house brand at more wallet-friendly levels. One can argue that they got this attitude from the "Americans", but the fact of the matter is that it works in other countries as well. It doesn't matter as much in Japan, simply because the Japanese don't care as much about a car's name as they do about it's performance.

UNKNOWN_370 · 08-20-2014, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drakonis GTR

A lot of this thinking is because America for a long time dealt only with the Big 3; GM, Ford, and Chrysler, all of which had multiple brands that were acquired over the years and then turned into the brand tiers that we are all familiar with. The low level/economy market (Chevy, Ford, Plymouth), the mid tiers (Buick, Mercury, Dodge), and the up-scale tiers (Cadillac, Lincoln, and Chrysler) all allowed them to hit each market segment and still ultimately pick up the money. Then the other countries show up, and find themselves facing competition on almost every level. Is it truly such a surprise that they would inevitably decide that if it works, why not try it?

What is funny though is your thought that only American's feel this way. A number of European companies also practice this logic within their own bases. Audi, for example, is used by Volkswagen as their up-scale, snob level brand. And, while perhaps a more extreme example, Maybach is used by Mercedes as their super up-scale Rolls Royce competitor. Even Italian Fiat does this, using Alfa Romeo and Lancia (and getting their little cut from Ferrari) to hit the higher markets while keeping their house brand at more wallet-friendly levels. One can argue that they got this attitude from the "Americans", but the fact of the matter is that it works in other countries as well. It doesn't matter as much in Japan, simply because the Japanese don't care as much about a car's name as they do about it's performance.

Well-debated on both sides of the spectrum. Bit this point is inarguable.

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