Originally posted by mgescuro+Mar 29 2004, 06:38 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (mgescuro @ Mar 29 2004, 06:38 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-desmo9@Mar 28 2004, 06:47 PM
Don't know just what's pretentious about my arguments. Maybe you picked the wrong word?
A whole paragraph from you there with little real info. So you agree with the A3 coming to America or not? Based on your arguments against the Phaeton....
* You would agree with a U.S.-bound A3 because VW needs an Audi compact to take on the 1-series, 9-2 and others. These people savor "brand" and "image", so the VW brand can't do it alone.
but, in contradictory fashion...
* You would NOT agree with a U.S.-bound A3 because it would make the Audi-brand overlap the VW brand all the more. Just as Phaeton muddies the waters at the higher price points, the A3 swould do it at the lower price points.
Lemme put it to you in simple terms that you can understand... :zippy:
1) A3 should come to the US, if 1-series and A-Class is US bound.
2) Audi, BMW, Mercedes, should realize that a cheapo car bearing their name can cheapen the overall brand. Jaguar can attest to that.
I don't believe these cars should come to the US. The effect is amplified for AUdi because
1) VW occupies that price range.
2) VW is entering Audi's price range.
3) There is now confusion between Audi and VW that won't be fixed any time soon.
And you keep dodging my question. DO you think a $50K VW/Maserati is worth the time and expense to launch as a VW?? Why isn't it being launched as an Audi?
And you're right.. pretentious isn't the word... arrogant is more like it. :zippy: [/b][/quote]
I appreciate your signatiure in the emails, :zippy: , ... allows me to scan quickly and know who's writing what. I'd probably fit the :afro: character a little better. Bottom line, :zippy: is signature-series Mgescuro.
Frankly, I don't know much about this $50K offering, that's why I have not said much about it. Have had little time to research this stuff lately. But I have said I think the Phaeton would do better as a $50K car, so it's probably not a problem. Now that Touareg is reaching almost $50K, and with Passats hitting $35-40K, a top-line VW at $50K is probably about right. You seemed to be concurring with that argument before.
And I don't see your Jag analogy. The X-type is a class above the 1-series ilk, and was really intended to go after the 3-series class. The pricing and existence of the X-type isn't the problem, I think the problem is that it's a half-baked execution. Mondeo powertrain, FWD configuration (they made it AWD just to disguise the fact it's got a FWD drivetrain). As I said before, it's execution that matters. If execution is good, a premium brand can do cars in all sorts of segments and not worry about diluting its image. If execution is bad, then ANY car can weaken a premium brand, be it a $25K compact or a $50K mid-range sedan.