Quote:
Originally Posted by Sal Collaziano
You're right. But smart manufacturers like BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Lexus aren't taking the options away from their customers - they're simply making them pay for it. Right now, BMW (for example) is paying the CAFE fines on their own. If they continue to increase, they'll pass them on to the customer - who will GLADLY pay the fine to have the vehicle they want.
I wish Cadillac would let me pay for the vehicle I want...
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Don't be so sure about that. BMW's last price increase infuriated many customers. Why would anyone want to pay a premium for a car that doesn't really have anything special to it. You think people will want to pay a $2k premium for a V8 RWD car just because 2% can afford it and want that kind of car? Answer is no, you want to attract the an audience, not a portion of the audience. BMW is going to have a very hard time keeping up and staying profitable if it continues on its current path. Mercedes will be no better, however Mercedes can allow itself the luxury of doing so much more since their target has a much higher income than BMW and Cadillac.