B8 2.0T U.S. engine spec: 211 hp and 258 lb-ft (from the B8 forum)...
03-04-2008, 07:00 AM
#11
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Fair comments, but I would like us to stop blaming 60 Minutes already.
Let's be honest - Audi is as much to blame for its NA sales as 60 Minutes or anything.
Plenty of companies survived bigger public disasters over the decades. For a company with the technological pedigree, the rich history and quality products like Audi to be so far behind its direct rivals is not the fault of 60 Minutes.
If all it takes to drive your NA presence to near-extinction is some report on TV, you got bigger problems.
Plenty of companies survived bigger public disasters over the decades. For a company with the technological pedigree, the rich history and quality products like Audi to be so far behind its direct rivals is not the fault of 60 Minutes.
If all it takes to drive your NA presence to near-extinction is some report on TV, you got bigger problems.
03-04-2008, 07:08 AM
#13
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Linking continuous development with rising prices is what's used to sell the cars, I get that.
Taking that premise to its logical conclusion, if Audi continues to advance in design, technology and safety (as it obviously will) its entry-level cars will "justifiably" cost $100,000 in a couple of years, and only go up from there.
03-04-2008, 07:10 AM
#14
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Well, they were doing quite well before that and the unintended acceleration basically killed them
So yes, they've been clawing back and have been doing really well since the A4. IMO, if this didn't happen, Audi would most likely be in much better shape. Hmmm, does anybody have the market share back in the mid 80s compared to BMW and MB?
In NA, they do have a big challenge to be on par with MB and BMW in terms of sales numbers though they have a lot of work ahead. People still see MB and BMWs as better brands than Audi still in North America.
In NA, they do have a big challenge to be on par with MB and BMW in terms of sales numbers though they have a lot of work ahead. People still see MB and BMWs as better brands than Audi still in North America.
03-04-2008, 07:10 AM
#16
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I know my opinion is not a popular one, and fully understand that these things are subjective.
I just haven't been excited about a new Audi bodystyle at first glance in a very long time.
Gonna go stare at some B8 pics now to try to convince myself otherwise.
Gonna go stare at some B8 pics now to try to convince myself otherwise.
03-04-2008, 07:13 AM
#17
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True, but not because of development costs.
Manufacturing costs, commodity prices, inflation, general market conditions and brand marketing are the dominant determining factors in setting pricing, not advances in safety, technology and design.
03-04-2008, 11:51 AM
#20
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Definitely a factor, but at the end of the day, price is set purely by the market...
If Audi could get $60k for an A4, they definitely would! GM can't sell cars, so discounts them to the point where they don't make any many. It's do or die - sell them and lose a bit of money, or don't sell them at all and take a huge hit.
There's why BMW has been so profitable. Because it's perceived as the best and people pay a premium. Does Audi/BMW/MB have a lot more R&D costs than GM and Ford? I don't know for sure, but seriously doubt that. It's purely marketing.
There's why BMW has been so profitable. Because it's perceived as the best and people pay a premium. Does Audi/BMW/MB have a lot more R&D costs than GM and Ford? I don't know for sure, but seriously doubt that. It's purely marketing.