RE: Report: Porsche Plans 5-series Rival
Discussion
Horrendous idea. I see Porsche going the same way as Mercedes did when they started chasing the lower end of the market.
That's where it all went wrong. Merc used to be a luxury brand, building exquisitely engineered cars - Gullwing, Silver Arrows, S-Classes, big solid saloons, all that "Lord won't you buy me a Merc" stuff - and now it's a rep-mobile brand with dodgy quality. DaimlerChrysler turned out to be a rubbish idea, the A-Class was a stinker, the original ML had panel gaps you could see from the moon and the old-shape E-Class rusted itself to bits within a couple of years (you should have seen the warrantly claim on my neighbour's - doors, wings, bonnet, boot and roof).
For Merc to get that brand equity back will take years and cost millions. So Porsche might as well save all that wasted time and money and can this idea right now.
Still, the purists will jump on the bandwagon and say - the extra revenue will lead to more special Porsches. But think some of the purists' most favoured cars - the 964RS, 968CS, 993 - came from a time when Porsche was right against the wall.
All IMO.
That's where it all went wrong. Merc used to be a luxury brand, building exquisitely engineered cars - Gullwing, Silver Arrows, S-Classes, big solid saloons, all that "Lord won't you buy me a Merc" stuff - and now it's a rep-mobile brand with dodgy quality. DaimlerChrysler turned out to be a rubbish idea, the A-Class was a stinker, the original ML had panel gaps you could see from the moon and the old-shape E-Class rusted itself to bits within a couple of years (you should have seen the warrantly claim on my neighbour's - doors, wings, bonnet, boot and roof).
For Merc to get that brand equity back will take years and cost millions. So Porsche might as well save all that wasted time and money and can this idea right now.
Still, the purists will jump on the bandwagon and say - the extra revenue will lead to more special Porsches. But think some of the purists' most favoured cars - the 964RS, 968CS, 993 - came from a time when Porsche was right against the wall.
All IMO.
dave stew said:
There was a 944 shooting brake in the late 80s that was rather nice too.
There was a 924, too... http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=7...
Matt UK said:
More into 'products' than 'brands' myself.
Would you rather drive a second-rate product cleverly marketed into a desirable 'brand', or a great product with a badge on the front associated with a scond-rate brand?
I'm not digging, just genuinely curious.
BMW have managed it with the lower end One series. Just shows there are some real stupid folk out thereWould you rather drive a second-rate product cleverly marketed into a desirable 'brand', or a great product with a badge on the front associated with a scond-rate brand?
I'm not digging, just genuinely curious.
nouze said:
since when A5 is competing with 3 seriezzzz
Since the A5 was launched?http://lmgtfy.com/?q=a5+vs+3+series+coupe
same with the RS5 and M3
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=rs5+vs+m3
thewheelman said:
Beefmeister said:
If it makes more money for Porsche, which in turn enables them to continue making cars like the GT3 RS, then go for it.
I remember reading somewhere that Porsche were the most profitable car maker in the world per unit. Their biggest sellers being the 911 range, followed by the Cayenne. So as a manufacturer they really don't need to make other cars, but as a business, they know what ever they make, it'll sell & make them a lot of money. It's a pitty that brand image & lifestyle is now their aim, rather than just the enthusiast. At least Lotus wont ever turn that way......i hope!
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