That's a good point. Lexus, Infiniti and Acura were all created in the US because Toyota, Nissan and Honda weren't able to outgrow the stigma of cheap economy cars. So it would probably make sense that Hyundai create a luxury line for themselves as well, but that's getting techincal. We all know who makes the cars and it really doesn't matter what badge is on the hood does it? In all practical purposes I mean.
I hope there was sarcasm in this statement. There is a reason that Infiniti isn't sold on a Nissan sales floor and vice-versa. They want that idea or image that you are buying luxury, not rebadged nissan parts.
I for one will prob never forget that Hyundai started out making throw a way cars. Maybe branding a new luxury department will help sell their higher scale cars.
I hope there was sarcasm in this statement. There is a reason that Infiniti isn't sold on a Nissan sales floor and vice-versa. They want that idea or image that you are buying luxury, not rebadged nissan parts. I for one will prob never forget that Hyundai started out making throw a way cars. Maybe branding a new luxury department will help sell their higher scale cars.
That's my point zero. I dunno how old you are and if you remember that Honda/Toyota/Nissan all made throw away cars too at one point or another. That's changed... that's my point. If they can accomplish this then so can anyone else.
It's arguable that it's been easier for the likes of Hyundai as the Japanese have opened the right doors, but it's a fact that the Koreans have accomplished what the Japanese took 40 years to do in half that time. So, all I'm saying is that we can all expect the Koreans to follow suit, which they already are, and release lux models/badges/etc. and pretty much catch up and possibly surpass the status quo not too long in the future.
I think we can all agree on that point. No?
__________________ Don't fight with an ignorant because he will drag you down to his own level and beat you to death with his skills.
I hope there was sarcasm in this statement. There is a reason that Infiniti isn't sold on a Nissan sales floor and vice-versa. They want that idea or image that you are buying luxury, not rebadged nissan parts.
I for one will prob never forget that Hyundai started out making throw a way cars. Maybe branding a new luxury department will help sell their higher scale cars.
but you see, i dont know if that truly works or not.
if Ford brought out their own luxury car brand, and it was an amazing vehicle for a great price... i dont give three shits, it's still a Ford.
.... we can all expect the Koreans to follow suit, which they already are, and release lux models/badges/etc. and pretty much catch up and possibly surpass the status quo not too long in the future.
I think we can all agree on that point. No?
That is MY hope at least. Just as the Japanese forced the Germans to be more competitive, so will the Koreans pressure the Japanese. It'd be a total win for us as consumers, EXCEPT for exacerbating the friggin trade deficit here in the US.
They did. They called it Jaguar.....and no one bought them because they were made by Ford...
You are mistaken. Ford's purchase of Jaguar brought Jaguar's manufacturing processess up to the 21st century. Sure Jugar's shared Ford's parts bin to much dismay of loyal Jag followers, but still Jaguar's reliability and refinement improved many folds while Ford owned them. Jaguar's were commonly rated the worst in reliability and refinement before Ford got into the picture. Not to mention that their sales increased drastically. Sure, it wasn't a hit, but hey Jaguars never sold in huge numbers in the first place. So, you can say that Jaguar benefited by Fords purchase of their marquee. It pretty much set in motion, and started the momentum, that Jaguar has today.
__________________ Don't fight with an ignorant because he will drag you down to his own level and beat you to death with his skills.
I agree with that. I think the real positive that comes out of this, if it does come in at good pricing, is that it makes all the major manufacturers take note and sharpen their pencils...it basically just pushes the market forward to meet the new level of consumer expectations. If you can get "all that" for that pricing, then consumers will grow to expect a commensurate amount of improvement from the big names to justify their pricing differential. I think in the end, it will only be a very good thing.
Very well said and just like zooms said, this car will do what the G35 did back then. We will start to see better performance and improved ( not saying it is great) interiors on the lower end cars.
You are mistaken. Ford's purchase of Jaguar brought Jaguar's manufacturing processess up to the 21st century. Sure Jugar's shared Ford's parts bin to much dismay of loyal Jag followers, but still Jaguar's reliability and refinement improved many folds while Ford owned them. Jaguar's were commonly rated the worst in reliability and refinement before Ford got into the picture. Not to mention that their sales increased drastically. Sure, it wasn't a hit, but hey Jaguars never sold in huge numbers in the first place. So, you can say that Jaguar benefited by Fords purchase of their marquee. It pretty much set in motion, and started the momentum, that Jaguar has today.
+ 1, jaguar was already established. although i think the death of the jaguar came when Ford purchased it, now, it's even worse when an indian make bought the manufacturer.
I totally disagree with your comment zero. It's actually contridicting if you think about it. I mean three decades ago, less than 5 years ago for Infiniti, there were those that said that Lexus and Infiniti will never be in the same class as MB and BMW, but looking at your statement obviously proves that incorrect.
i never get it when ppl say things like this. it's as though lexus started out as a laughing stock and now outsells the germs. as i recall, lexus started out like a ball of fire. the very first gen LS400 was all the rage of the early 90's. anyone with money had one. even if you listen to 90's rap songs, it's Lexus this, Lexus that. They quickly established a name for themselves that IMO has gone down the tubes as far as the status goes... Sure, Lexus' are still nice cars and have a good rep, but (atleast around here) they don't have the appeal of the MB and BMW's...
even take their best vehicle yet, the new LS, it's super nice but has been consistantly rated below the S, 7 and A8.
i never get it when ppl say things like this. it's as though lexus started out as a laughing stock and now outsells the germs. as i recall, lexus started out like a ball of fire. the very first gen LS400 was all the rage of the early 90's. anyone with money had one. even if you listen to 90's rap songs, it's Lexus this, Lexus that. They quickly established a name for themselves that IMO has gone down the tubes as far as the status goes... Sure, Lexus' are still nice cars and have a good rep, but (atleast around here) they don't have the appeal of the MB and BMW's...
even take their best vehicle yet, the new LS, it's super nice but has been consistantly rated below the S, 7 and A8.
I think it was actually Acura that was the first of the 3 Japanese makers to make a splash here (all those Legends), with Lexus and Infiniti following their lead.
As far as credibility....well heck, what more credible endorsement could an auto maker get than to be referenced in rap songs....LOL
I don't see the Lexus LS sales hurting though; ever think the people who buy them aren't the same people who read the mags that rate them lower than those others?
I think it was actually Acura that was the first of the 3 Japanese makers to make a splash here (all those Legends), with Lexus and Infiniti following their lead.
As far as credibility....well heck, what more credible endorsement could an auto maker get than to be referenced in rap songs....LOL
I don't see the Lexus LS sales hurting though; ever think the people who buy them aren't the same people who read the mags that rate them lower than those others?
i'd have to disagree with the acura thing. acura did well in the 90s too. the legend and integra sold well. but lexus established themselves quicker and better IMO. think about how many of those LS's you still see on the road. they sold like crazy and were very expensive for the time.
as for the new LS sales, i never said they were hurting for sales. though i do see probably 3-4 of the new S class for every 1 of the new LS.
^^ yeah, I agree Lexus did better, I was only referring to the chronology of their respective arrival to market in the US. Seems to me Acura was first.
