RE: Nissan Takes Aim At German Sports Cars
Discussion
This type of campaign is hardly new, car manufacturers have been doing it for decades. Look beneath the attention grabbing straplines and you will find the claims are always based on fact (however trivial they may be).
Anybody remember the 80's billboard campaign for the MG Maestro claiming 'The Golf GTI will be along in a second'? I suspect there weren't many potential Golf buyers that were won over by the fact that the Maestro was a second quicker to 60 as it was inferior in all other respects.
Now, I'm not comparing the 370Z or GTR to the MG Maestro but I wonder what prospective buyers of German marques will make of the Nissan campaign
Anybody remember the 80's billboard campaign for the MG Maestro claiming 'The Golf GTI will be along in a second'? I suspect there weren't many potential Golf buyers that were won over by the fact that the Maestro was a second quicker to 60 as it was inferior in all other respects.
Now, I'm not comparing the 370Z or GTR to the MG Maestro but I wonder what prospective buyers of German marques will make of the Nissan campaign
Maybe in the US where they make Nissan sound more exotic by prounouncing it Nee-Sarn... I'd rather have a nice Beemer any day of the week, and I've had Japanese cars. There is an indefinable quality about German cars that you just don't get in any Japanese car.
A secondary concern of course is also that if you go to a party and someone asks you what you drive, you've still got to tell them you drive a Nissan... Compared to say a Porsche there is no contest.
Although, I can't imagine saying the word Audi would be too good for your social standing... especially if you supplement it with the phrase S-line... ;-)
A secondary concern of course is also that if you go to a party and someone asks you what you drive, you've still got to tell them you drive a Nissan... Compared to say a Porsche there is no contest.
Although, I can't imagine saying the word Audi would be too good for your social standing... especially if you supplement it with the phrase S-line... ;-)
Johnny Drama said:
This type of campaign is hardly new, car manufacturers have been doing it for decades. Look beneath the attention grabbing straplines and you will find the claims are always based on fact (however trivial they may be).
Anybody remember the 80's billboard campaign for the MG Maestro claiming 'The Golf GTI will be along in a second'? I suspect there weren't many potential Golf buyers that were won over by the fact that the Maestro was a second quicker to 60 as it was inferior in all other respects.
Now, I'm not comparing the 370Z or GTR to the MG Maestro but I wonder what prospective buyers of German marques will make of the Nissan campaign
Indeed. Likewise Honda's 'Bye Bye GTI' campaign for the original Civic Type-R.Anybody remember the 80's billboard campaign for the MG Maestro claiming 'The Golf GTI will be along in a second'? I suspect there weren't many potential Golf buyers that were won over by the fact that the Maestro was a second quicker to 60 as it was inferior in all other respects.
Now, I'm not comparing the 370Z or GTR to the MG Maestro but I wonder what prospective buyers of German marques will make of the Nissan campaign
I work opposite a Nissan dealer and I have to say the 370Z is a very good looking car. Not had a poke around one as of yet though.
Speaking as a 350Z owner I think they are aiming at two different types of customer.
German cars are more 'classy' IMO. However, the down side is that every person on the street seems to have a Porsche, Audi TT or Golf. There's obviously a reason for it and that's because they are good cars and I have no argument about it. The Germans also take the **** when it comes to maintenance and parts - a lot of it is priced high because they can rather than having a genuine superior product.
On the other hand the Jap cars are something that are a little more 'special' and different (to me anyway). It's that 'Im not a sheep like everyone else' feeling that makes me love the zed and it turns heads (I would imagine a GTR more so). Those owning a Cayman would think a Jap car isn't the right 'look' for them, which I respect as both have pros and cons - neither is champion and neither is a loser.
I don't like people knocking the Jap manufacturers due to badge snobbery. A lot of people say "Nissan is just a Datsun and is cheap" - these people show themselves up. Nissan Micra - yep its cheap. A GTR or 370Z? Totally different kettle of fish - go and sit in one; you never know you may be surprised. Is a Caymen worth an extra £10k more than a 370Z? It's slightly better but not £10k better, so no.
German cars are more 'classy' IMO. However, the down side is that every person on the street seems to have a Porsche, Audi TT or Golf. There's obviously a reason for it and that's because they are good cars and I have no argument about it. The Germans also take the **** when it comes to maintenance and parts - a lot of it is priced high because they can rather than having a genuine superior product.
On the other hand the Jap cars are something that are a little more 'special' and different (to me anyway). It's that 'Im not a sheep like everyone else' feeling that makes me love the zed and it turns heads (I would imagine a GTR more so). Those owning a Cayman would think a Jap car isn't the right 'look' for them, which I respect as both have pros and cons - neither is champion and neither is a loser.
I don't like people knocking the Jap manufacturers due to badge snobbery. A lot of people say "Nissan is just a Datsun and is cheap" - these people show themselves up. Nissan Micra - yep its cheap. A GTR or 370Z? Totally different kettle of fish - go and sit in one; you never know you may be surprised. Is a Caymen worth an extra £10k more than a 370Z? It's slightly better but not £10k better, so no.
Edited by Anubis on Thursday 22 July 14:08
Japs are up to their old tricks again... Mitsubishi few years back were taunting ze germans with the VR4 I can recall...
Imo, this absolutely unecessary. Simply if you have a better car (or build in our case) there is no need for the aggro.
Can you imagine if everyone started advertising their cars like this:
'Our car is better than a Yugo, Moskvich, Lada and a Dacia?'
Imo, this absolutely unecessary. Simply if you have a better car (or build in our case) there is no need for the aggro.
Can you imagine if everyone started advertising their cars like this:
'Our car is better than a Yugo, Moskvich, Lada and a Dacia?'
It's clever marketing. Its making you as a potential customer think "yer right whatever" and you may go see a Nissan dealership and then think "oh wait...hang on, its not that bad..hmm..".
It is a clever way of saying "All those who drive a German car come try out our Nissans - you'll be pleasantly suprised"
It is a clever way of saying "All those who drive a German car come try out our Nissans - you'll be pleasantly suprised"
hardmouse1 said:
Well I’m sure in this country you can’t slag off other named companies, [b]unless it factual data.....
My personal opinion [/b], The build quality of Audi, BMW or Porsche etc.. is allot better than any Nissan!!! (and yes i do own an Audi lol)
You just did with your subjective opinion and not factual data LOL My personal opinion [/b], The build quality of Audi, BMW or Porsche etc.. is allot better than any Nissan!!! (and yes i do own an Audi lol)
I love this, think it's great and makes me smile and laugh 
article said:
Nissan's latest volley against Ze Germans involves driving a be-stickered Audi TTS coupe around London with the phrase "More expensive, slower and less powerful than a Nissan 370Z," on the side, and a similarly labelled-up Porsche Cayman saying "I dream of being as fast as a Nissan 370Z".
And they have a valid point too 
Well I love my 350Z. Its well put together, very reliable and doesn't cost the earth to service!
Plus mine just sneeks into the old tax brackets so its not £400 as stated its £260 (or was at the last time of paying it!)
Nissan make good, reliable and (some at least) desirable cars yet still price them sensibly.
As was mentioned earlier: Its NOT the 80's any more, German cars aren't that reliable and they are expensive to fix.
Right...i'm off to enjoy driving my car!
Plus mine just sneeks into the old tax brackets so its not £400 as stated its £260 (or was at the last time of paying it!)
Nissan make good, reliable and (some at least) desirable cars yet still price them sensibly.
As was mentioned earlier: Its NOT the 80's any more, German cars aren't that reliable and they are expensive to fix.
Right...i'm off to enjoy driving my car!
It's not a new form of marketing, go and watch some US adverts and you'll see it all the time over there, especially with vehicle adverts.
Have to say I agree with Nissan, best car in it's class as far as I can tell. Looks better than the rest too. As for VAG, meh. Anyone who says they're the epitome of quality / design is talking out of their arris.
Have to say I agree with Nissan, best car in it's class as far as I can tell. Looks better than the rest too. As for VAG, meh. Anyone who says they're the epitome of quality / design is talking out of their arris.
Edited by Stu R on Thursday 22 July 14:19
First off and in all seriousness -
is that you S-Line?????????
VWNutta1985 said:
Cheap nasty tactics to advertise a cheap nasty car. The 350Z and 370Z are nothing special, and I have driven a lot better, less powerful and cheaper cars.
Such as what? Please post some examples (ok 3 or 4) and why and how they are better and how much cheaper they are?VWNutta1985 said:
As a VAG owner, all I can say nothing else compares to the build, design and quality of the german cars
is that you S-Line????????? VWNutta1985 said:
Speed and performance isnt everything and with the 350Z being in the £400 a year tax bracket,
Umm, they don't make the 350z anymore...VWNutta1985 said:
if not higher now I'd have the equivilant Audi anyday.
What equivalent Audi? The TT is slower and not as good a driving machine. So its not equivalent. VWNutta1985 said:
Parts and labour for my VW GTI have been cheaper than having my Vauxhall Van serviced, which is surprising as all parts are Audi Parts.
And what has this to do with Nissan Nissan or Porsche? Hmmm, its like Tag or Casio.
Yes the casio may be more accurate than the tag in the same way that a bic biro might last longer than a cross refil. Price isn't the most important factor imo. If it was then we wouldn't have a situation where the 3 series is outselling the mondeo.
I really like the direction that Nissan have taken. The GTR is epic and the 370Z seems to be a fairly good stab at that market, it certainly looks the part. Would I ever buy one? No. I did consider the 370Z at the same time as I bought my 135. I find that jap cars don't have the soul that german cars offer. My opinion, I know many will dissagree.
In my case the 370Z may have my car licked on purchase price, just, the top model 370 with all the toys that my BM has was 2.5K cheaper. It is certainly not quicker than my BM (with less tuning potential) is group 20 ins group against my 17 and is in the £400 a year tax bracket; I pay half that.
Brand is everything, Nissan might have a product to rival the german products in some areas but they certainly don't have the brand image and imo arn't going the right way about attaining it with a cheap shot add campaigns.
Getting a bit big for their boots after the success of the GT-R maybe?
Yes the casio may be more accurate than the tag in the same way that a bic biro might last longer than a cross refil. Price isn't the most important factor imo. If it was then we wouldn't have a situation where the 3 series is outselling the mondeo.
I really like the direction that Nissan have taken. The GTR is epic and the 370Z seems to be a fairly good stab at that market, it certainly looks the part. Would I ever buy one? No. I did consider the 370Z at the same time as I bought my 135. I find that jap cars don't have the soul that german cars offer. My opinion, I know many will dissagree.
In my case the 370Z may have my car licked on purchase price, just, the top model 370 with all the toys that my BM has was 2.5K cheaper. It is certainly not quicker than my BM (with less tuning potential) is group 20 ins group against my 17 and is in the £400 a year tax bracket; I pay half that.
Brand is everything, Nissan might have a product to rival the german products in some areas but they certainly don't have the brand image and imo arn't going the right way about attaining it with a cheap shot add campaigns.
Getting a bit big for their boots after the success of the GT-R maybe?
I would take the porsche because its a Porsche. But I do like the 370z - nearly got a 350z when they came out - got a Hyundai Coupe 2.7 V6 instead lol, alot cheaper at the time. Would not got for the Audi. I am a VAG man and love them, but does not mean I would spend my money on something that is seen a a bit of a hairdresser car - not my opinion. I see loads of TTs but not many 370z and hardly any Caymans.
rallyman77 said:
Imo, this absolutely unecessary. Simply if you have a better car (or build in our case) there is no need for the aggro.
Can you imagine if everyone started advertising their cars like this:
'Our car is better than a Yugo, Moskvich, Lada and a Dacia?'
Exactly. Marketing straight from the school playground and I'd be amazed if the German marques sunk to Nissan's level in retaliation. Can you imagine if everyone started advertising their cars like this:
'Our car is better than a Yugo, Moskvich, Lada and a Dacia?'
If I were a marketer at Nissan I'd slash the agency spend (they deserve it coming up with s
t like this anyway) and try to persuade the men at the top to use the savings to knock several grand off the 370Z RRP. A greater price differentiation would lure many of the badge snobs away IF the cars are so dynamically similar. As something of a niche product, the GTR already represents stupendously good value and I can't see why Nissan feel the need to 'promote' it in this way.
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