Daily Podcast: All Change
Published: April 23rd, 2008
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O.K., after we recorded this daily podcast, Jonny Lieberman and I figured-out who's who in terms of brand positioning in the U.S. market these days– if only to make Matt Hardigree jealous. (Pay no attention to my branding statement in the actual 'cast.) We reckon… Lexus is the new Mercedes. BMW is the new Audi. Audi is the new BMW. Mazda is the new Honda. Hyundai is the new Ford. VW is the old Hyundai. Kia is the new Mercury. Toyota is the new GM. Chrysler is the new Studebaker. As for the rest, I need one. Feel free to complete the picture, argue the points or just listen to us schmooze.
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wow, Audi has realized that the black colour of the small sidedoor looks more original than beautiful. hope they will realize that the front bumper and partially headlights look too skinny.
at least Porsche is still Porsche
I’d have to agree with Jonny on the SUV thing, first it was image; big, brawny, powerful, next is the commanding view of the road (look at the marketing literature of the time and you will find commanding view in most of them) and last is perceived safety do you size. I thought for sure I read something on TTAC that condemned the new Flex now you all are singing it’s praises? Of course my memory could be faulty. The Flex will do well, not ridiculously well but well. A mini-van would still be better but with as image conscious as American’s are this would be a nice alternative for similar money give or take a few K. One thing that it has going for it is a distinctive style, borrowed a bit from Mini and perhaps the xB but you won’t mistake it for anything else.
I think of Mazda as the new VW. They seem to be filling the Affordable/low-frills/fun-to-drive niche that VW has abandoned. What's Fahrfergnugen in Japanese?