Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans High End Luxury Cars
24700 messages, Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 12:24 PM
You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
Let's try to define this forum as being limited to luxury performance vehicles where the mainstream version in a typical configuration has an MSRP of at least $60k.
A luxury vehicle with a base price of $59k qualifies because it would typically be bought with some additional equipment, bringing the MSRP over $60k.
Vehicles like the E, 5, A6, M, or GS, even if available in certain versions over $60k, don't qualify because they are cars from companies that have higher end cars in their lineups.
|
Replying to: designman (Jan 17, 2006 5:30 am) Yes. The emphasis of course is on a manufacturing business model. But many elements from a desire and goal to sweep qualitative awards within a short period of time for brand recognition and establishing precision and quality from the more expensive buildout to the more economical buildouts in order to distance the quality of those products (in this case cars of course) from the competion can be utilized in any industry. This is why I was saying last night that the real flow here was from Lexus to Toyota - not the other way around. Business stories I've read like to deal with the details and the step by step execution of a truly long-term plan in dealing with the Lexus achievement as a blueprint for other new product development efforts.
|
|
|
Replying to: tagman (Jan 17, 2006 10:43 am) read the article and from my standpoint the arrogance will hurt them long-term unless they adjust to market conditions which will be different across the globe. In the end the customer dictates what the manufacturer will do once there is sufficient competition in the market. There is much more competition than ever and it will increase a lot further from here. Arrogance works in monopoly or near monopoly situations but serious competition changes arrogance quiclky as can be seen by the cupholders, power windows and many other features they were reluctant to put in the cars. This fits any industry and sooner or later everyone is humbled. I don't view that arrogance as an asset, I view it as a large liability. Different industry topic but here's a good story on German copanies in todays NY times. Enjoy and by the way I have a great amount of respect for how Germany and German businesses unified the extreme differences between East and West Germany in such a short period of time. Tremendous achievement. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/17/business/worldbusiness/17comeback.html?adxnnl=- - - 1&adxnnlx=1137550442-XNiuRnGO7laIgZO+to0Iew
|
|
|
Replying to: ljflx (Jan 17, 2006 6:16 pm) The article about Heidelberg was most interesting to me. Thank you. My company utilizes Heidelberg equipment in our production facility. I will share with you a brief story about the reason we use genuine German Heidelberg equipment and not, say, Ryobi, or other Japanese equipment. Years ago, during one of our expansion and upgrade phases of our company, we purchased some Japanese equipment. It might have satisfied some, but our standards were VERY high in terms of quality. Ultimately, we rid ourselves of the equipment and purchased Heidelberg. The difference in quality was very real. I realize that printing equipment is not the same as an automobile, but I will tell you that there are very few pieces of industrial equipment that require the machined precision as that of a large commercial printing press. I will not take the room here on this post to explain, but believe me, the tolerances are every bit as much and MORE than an automobile and its engine. Price tags are seven digits and up. When we got to another point in time for another upgrade, we looked at the latest from Japan again, and the automation and technology was incredible, but once again the Japanese machinery was not as precise as the German machinery. Does this have anything to do with cars? Maybe. Maybe not. But I do know first hand every day what those German machines can do, and what those Japanese competitors can't do . . . under some of the most rigorous requirements you could ever imagine. Arrogance hurts, of course, but the genius lies elsewhere, and it still shines through . . . sometimes as bright as the sun itself. Thanks again. TagMan
|
|
|
Replying to: designman (Jan 17, 2006 3:02 pm) http://www.nissan.co.nz/images/vehicle/maxima/gallery/9b.jpg Our Maxima: http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/images/nissan_maxima_review_int.jpg |
|
|
Does somebody has reasons to believe that the 1999 Mercedes S320 would be a decent reliability car ? I am very concerned about the 2000-2005 reliability record, and wonder if the previous model (1997-1999) was a simpler, so more reliable car. Thanks |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: designman (Jan 16, 2006 1:42 pm) If I had a nice Chysler and someone called it a Mercedes I would be darn mad. |
|
|
Replying to: tagman (Jan 17, 2006 6:42 pm) Lathes, milling machines, lasers, etc: the German stuff is top shelf if you are willing to pay the price. |
|
|
Replying to: ljflx (Jan 17, 2006 5:52 pm) For 50+ years the most prestigious cars in Japan have been Toyotas. All the cars sold here under the Lexus name are Toyotas in Japan. Note: I have no idea why Mercedes launched a new brand name for their top luxury cars. Maybach is a flop: it reminds me of the 'new Coke' fiasco.
|
|
|
Replying to: scott1256 (Jan 18, 2006 6:17 am) |
|
|
Well, century is the car toyota build to show its power, you have to be famous to order one (like special editions ferrari) they simply wont sell you one if you are not loyal and really want the car. In Japan, if someone have a century then everybody say watch out, keep away from him, becoz those guys have power. And BTW it cost 150K$ Now, to the technical part, Toyota manager gave me a DVD that show how they car is built and tested, its just amazing!! its a 12V, 5 L engine, super super smooth, it evens beat Lexus LS for smoothness!! the engine is fixed on a mobile system that absorb shocks and vibration (like the LS but more advanced), and you saw the interior, what amazing is this, the car is hand-made, it is fully customized, even the wood is hand polished, the chrome and so, it like a RR with better quality, it has the latest technology, and they test every car for 100 KM, they even use a stethoscope to check for the wind noise and so!! every delivered car have a booklet, this booklet includes all the names of the workers, with details about each one work and so, so if any thing goes wrong they know who is resposible, it even have the pic of each worker!!  Well, concerning how it looks, yes it isnt flashy, but this is how they wanted it to be, you know, all those that own it want it this way, its a politician car not a POP singer car!! its conservative but elegant, it has the latest tech but it is tradational, this is the Japanese soul car. One more amazing thing, there is a bird like sign in front of the car and inside it, ITS HAND MADE, they carve it and gold plate it and polish it!!!  This car is just amazing, its a car you have to respect Lexusi |
|
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2011 Audi A8
2010 BMW 7 Series
2008 Jaguar XJ-Series
2010 Lexus LS 460
2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
2006 Volkswagen Phaeton
2009 Maserati Quattroporte
2010 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
