Lexus apart, why don't posh Japanese brands work here?
Discussion
I am thinking Accura and Infiniti, but there ay be others ou there.
Are the cars just horrible? Are we too snobbish? Why are these brands either not available or minority sellers in the UK?
Most of us would be quite happy with a Nissan 370Z or at least we'd not be overly critical of someone who buys one.
Yesterday I found parked up in the road, the Infiniti version of that car. I have to admit to quite liking it.
Yet Lexusseem to have pulled off getting accepted as a decent quality brand.
Are the cars just horrible? Are we too snobbish? Why are these brands either not available or minority sellers in the UK?
Most of us would be quite happy with a Nissan 370Z or at least we'd not be overly critical of someone who buys one.
Yesterday I found parked up in the road, the Infiniti version of that car. I have to admit to quite liking it.
Yet Lexusseem to have pulled off getting accepted as a decent quality brand.
Infiniti version of the 370z? do you mean the G37? looks quite different in my eyes. To be honest I dont think Lexus has really been accepted here and Acurra that you mention, if i am not mistaken, generally sell European spec Honda's to the Americans so are not really like Lexus and Inifniti.
What we think of as Japanese luxury brands are really focussed on America and in my opinion that provides a different view of what luxury is over the Europeans. I had a go in a new Lexus GS hybrid the other day and whilst a fantastic car mechanically etc it had lots of exposed plastic in the cabin and there are about four leather colours and four veneers. Contrast that to any of the european offering competeing and the choice is much wider and cars more bespoke.
When i asked how long it would take to get a GS450h i was expecting the usual for European cars 12 weeks and he said.....
you can get one NEXT WEEK! which shows how they are focussed on the American way of buying cars "off lot" and having it immediately rather than bespoke build and wait. As a European car buyer in that market I would rather have what I wanted rather than what I am told I can have. I cant believe with Lexus that if you want black leather you must have a specific wood for instance because thats how they build them. That isnt luxury its just the "must have it today" mentality transposed to cars.
What we think of as Japanese luxury brands are really focussed on America and in my opinion that provides a different view of what luxury is over the Europeans. I had a go in a new Lexus GS hybrid the other day and whilst a fantastic car mechanically etc it had lots of exposed plastic in the cabin and there are about four leather colours and four veneers. Contrast that to any of the european offering competeing and the choice is much wider and cars more bespoke.
When i asked how long it would take to get a GS450h i was expecting the usual for European cars 12 weeks and he said.....
you can get one NEXT WEEK! which shows how they are focussed on the American way of buying cars "off lot" and having it immediately rather than bespoke build and wait. As a European car buyer in that market I would rather have what I wanted rather than what I am told I can have. I cant believe with Lexus that if you want black leather you must have a specific wood for instance because thats how they build them. That isnt luxury its just the "must have it today" mentality transposed to cars.
Even Lexus are struggling in the UK with sales significantly down on their late 90's early noughties heyday.
I can't see Honda being successful with the Acura brand in the UK considering they were unable to sell more than a token number of faultlessly built Legends.
Infiniti are struggling as they launched a range of luxury cars in the UK in the middle of a recession with a range based entirely around a large capacity V6 petrol with associated terrible emissions. Their target market will almost all be 'user choosers' who could pay significantly less tax on a diesel A6/5 series/E Class.
I can't see Honda being successful with the Acura brand in the UK considering they were unable to sell more than a token number of faultlessly built Legends.
Infiniti are struggling as they launched a range of luxury cars in the UK in the middle of a recession with a range based entirely around a large capacity V6 petrol with associated terrible emissions. Their target market will almost all be 'user choosers' who could pay significantly less tax on a diesel A6/5 series/E Class.
confused_buyer said:
The problem is their ranges and cars are not optimised for the European market.
About 80% of the "large exec" sector is accounted for by 2.0 litre diesels. When you only offer large petrols or large engined hybrids you're not going to sell as many GS300's as Audi do A6 2.0 TDI's.
This. Largely optimised for the US market in terms of engines and styling.About 80% of the "large exec" sector is accounted for by 2.0 litre diesels. When you only offer large petrols or large engined hybrids you're not going to sell as many GS300's as Audi do A6 2.0 TDI's.
Even the ISF is still playing second fiddle to what AMG and BMW M are producing.
Thats kind of what I thought. Wouldn't disagree. Its why the Citroen C6 died.
It is a shame that if its posh/quality it has ti be German with a few exceptions in the eyes of British/Euro buyers. I used to love BMW but it is such a diluted brand now. If you define exclusive as rare, I reckon an Infiniti or a top spec Mondeo or an Insignia VXR have the edge. (I don't mean as better cars)
I miss the days where top if the range Fords mixed it in road tests with German French and the odd Japanese executive cars.
It is a shame that if its posh/quality it has ti be German with a few exceptions in the eyes of British/Euro buyers. I used to love BMW but it is such a diluted brand now. If you define exclusive as rare, I reckon an Infiniti or a top spec Mondeo or an Insignia VXR have the edge. (I don't mean as better cars)
I miss the days where top if the range Fords mixed it in road tests with German French and the odd Japanese executive cars.
Could be because Japanese cars entered our market at the tinny, cheap end. First impressions and all that?
Mercedes, BMW and AUDI came in as high quality, expensive cars from the start.
Even VW, a German company, have trouble shifting Phaetons. People seem to associate them with the cheaper end of the market
despite the quality of their 'posh' cars.
I'm not sure why Nissan and Honda can't get their luxury brands to work in the UK like Lexus. Could be because Lexus got there first
and our market is just too small to support any more.
Mercedes, BMW and AUDI came in as high quality, expensive cars from the start.
Even VW, a German company, have trouble shifting Phaetons. People seem to associate them with the cheaper end of the market
despite the quality of their 'posh' cars.
I'm not sure why Nissan and Honda can't get their luxury brands to work in the UK like Lexus. Could be because Lexus got there first
and our market is just too small to support any more.
Edited by swisstoni on Saturday 6th October 12:32
swisstoni said:
Could be because Japanese cars entered our market at the tinny, cheap end. First impressions and all that?
Mercedes, BMW and AUDI came in as high quality, expensive cars from the start.
Even VW, a German company, have trouble shifting Phaetons. People seem to associate them with the cheaper end of the market
despite the quality of their 'posh' cars.
Its the image they've created for themselves with their different brands I guess, for a posh VAG barge audi is the right badge to have!Mercedes, BMW and AUDI came in as high quality, expensive cars from the start.
Even VW, a German company, have trouble shifting Phaetons. People seem to associate them with the cheaper end of the market
despite the quality of their 'posh' cars.
Japanese cars have never been looked at as premium brand over here! They are reliable and do a good job, but if you have a bit of money to spend on a new car, unless its a performance car, people see Japanese as a cheaper alternative to the German crew! Isn't an Acura exactly the same as a Honda over here? Infinity just haven't done well on marketing! I see BMW and Audi adverts and posters a hell of a lot more!
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