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Luxury Performance Sedans

10007 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 7:40 AM

You are in the Sedans Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? Lexus GS 430, Acura RL, BMW 5 Series, Volvo S80, Audi A6, Infiniti M35, Infiniti M45, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac STS, Sedan


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#8631 of 10007
Re: Since we moved from prices to performance... [sfcharlie] by lexusguy
Oct 25, 2006 (8:45 pm)
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Replying to: sfcharlie (Oct 25, 2006 3:03 pm)

Infiniti car sales in the U.S. were down 12.4% through Sept, compared to first nine months of 2005. The only model with sales higher in 2006 is the M. However, third quarter (July+August+September) 2006 sales of the M ( 2,293+ 2120+1933=6346) were down 22% from third quarter 2005 ( 2,755+2623+2351=7729).
 
Just about all of Infiniti's sales come from G, M, FX. The '06 G is EOL, and the FX is starting to showing its age. Infiniti should get a healthy boost for the '07 G35. The additional showroom traffic may also boost M sales.
 
The IS is doing pretty well, it will be interesting to see if it can maintain these kinds of sales numbers and avoid the curse that has killed all of Lexus' previous performance cars after a few years on the market. It looks like the GS may be falling into the same trap for the 3rd time.
#8632 of 10007
New engines in 5 Series by erickpl
Oct 26, 2006 (5:55 am)
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How do you think the twinturbo of the 335i will fare in the 535i? In talking to my dealer, he was mentioning Spring for this option. I dunno how true that is, but the idea of a 535i appeals to me. It has more oomph than the 530, but without having to jump up in price to the 550.
 
-Paul
#8633 of 10007
Re: New engines in 5 Series [erickpl] by shipo
Oct 26, 2006 (6:19 am)
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Replying to: erickpl (Oct 26, 2006 5:55 am)

I absolutely think that a "lightly lifted" (from a sheet metal perspective) 535i 6-Speed Manual with the SP will be too good to pass up. I also suspect that others are thinking the same thing which, to me at least, explains the recent drop off in E60 sales. After all, why buy/lease a very competent 2007 530i now when as soon as next spring an ultra competent 535i can be had?
 
Best Regards,
Shipo
#8634 of 10007
Audi sales by sfcharlie
Oct 28, 2006 (8:02 am)
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Audi of America sold 8,004 vehicles in September, a 1.9 percent increase compared to the same period a year ago. Audi sales are up 4.9 percent for the year.
 
Audi was one of the luxury brands to improve its sales during the third quarter totaling 22,124 vehicles sold, one of the strongest quarters in the brand's U.S. history, with new markets on the rise in metropolitan markets such as Miami, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Dallas, where Audi hadn't sold much before. The brand appears to be, in general, slowly opening new markets outside the snowbelt, where most of its sales have traditionally been made.
 
The A6 sold the same number (13,000) so far this year as it did in 2005, but, as with the other LPS cars, was down 18% in the third quarter, compared to third quarter 2005.
#8635 of 10007
Re: Audi sales [sfcharlie] by cdnpinhead
Oct 28, 2006 (1:00 pm)
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Replying to: sfcharlie (Oct 28, 2006 8:02 am)

Thanks for the update.
 
The bigger question in my mind is how you like your Audi, given the angst from your previous choice.
#8636 of 10007
Re: Audi sales [sfcharlie] by anthonyp
Oct 28, 2006 (3:39 pm)
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Replying to: sfcharlie (Oct 28, 2006 8:02 am)

I too would like to hear how things are going on...The Audi has a huge following in Miami , and has so for a fairly long time, as you personally see old and new all over the place....Here in Charleston S.C the brand is catching on, but it take time for a new dealership to get some traction...Tony
#8637 of 10007
Re: Audi sales [anthonyp] by james27
Oct 28, 2006 (4:28 pm)
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Replying to: anthonyp (Oct 28, 2006 3:39 pm)

Audi (used to be?) one of the few companies that offered a warm-weather option package. It was neat in that it included laminated, heat reflecting side glass and front and back windshields, the (fairly common) motorized shades, and one kind of unique feature I'd not seen elsewhere - solar cells in the glass sunroof wired to activate the car's circulation fan to ventilate the vehicle. In the winter, it switched to trickle charging the battery. This could be a big plus in the hot parts of the country. Don't know if it is still available...haven't looked.
#8638 of 10007
Re: Audi sales [james27] by kgary
Oct 29, 2006 (2:46 am)
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Replying to: james27 (Oct 28, 2006 4:28 pm)

My 2005 has the solar sunroof and the motorized shades. I don't know about the glass in that I live in the northeast and the dealer did not mention it.
#8639 of 10007
Re: Since we moved from prices to performance... [lexusguy] by cstiles
Oct 29, 2006 (2:11 pm)
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Replying to: lexusguy (Oct 25, 2006 8:45 pm)

Just returned from a 2-week trip to Japan revolving around the annual meeting for the Research Council for Automotive Repairs. Spent a day with engineers and managers from Toyota, Nissan, Honda, and Mazda. Had a chance to discuss a wide range of topics. (Interestingly, Mitsubishi declined to attend, citing other priorities and challenges...perhaps deciding whether to stay in the US market.) Some quick takeaways....
 
1. Toyota is on the way to world domination. Extremely impressive company, with a deep commitment to performance, safety, and innovation. They so outclassed the others that everyone was deferring to them on all the tough questions.
 
2. Nissan a close 2nd, but they are more skewed toward performance. They showed some slides of the upcoming Skyline, but were also very guarded and declined to answer questions about that car. The focus of the meeting was on improving auto repair and safety, so we did discuss the safety innovations and repair enhancements that are coming on the next GT-R. From what I could see on the slides, the Skyline will look pretty much like the car shown in Tokyo. Not positive, but it looks like the car will have a blend of aluminum and high strength steel.
   
3. Honda is doing well, but the RL (Legend) is also selling poorly in Japan. "Too high price" is what they said, but its also clear that in Japan, the Nissan Fuga (or Infiniti M) is easily outselling the RL. The domestic Fuga is a different car from the M....V6 only, with a 2.5GT leading the pack. You can also get it with fabric. The RL and Legend are identical worldwide, with the same SH-AWD and V6 drivetrain. Nissan has chosen to differentiate, and are winning, while Honda is offering the same car with similar slow results. I asked them if the next TL (which is not sold in Japan) will have SH-AWD. The guy smiled, but wouldn't answer. "Depends on price point" was what he said. Infiniti is coming to Japan by 2010, but I sense they're watching Lexus and Acura in 2008.
 
4. Lexus is selling very slowly in Japan. Only the LS/GS/IS/convertible are sold there. The LS is very impressive. No SUVs, except what's sold under Toyota nameplate. Seems the truck-based SUV will fade away.
 
5. The safety innovations in Japan are very impressive. They are building an entire infrastructure of on-road monitors and cameras to hard-wire integrated safety systems to reduce accidents. They seem serious about "eliminating accidents/casualties within 10 years." Since average speeds are much lower in Japan, it's doable over there. Many Japanese also install aftermarket navi and telematics, so that will help them mainline telematic safety systems.
 
6. They are testing a variety of alternative fuels. Honda talked about their hydrogen cars, and how they will be available in 2-4 years on a mass market basis. They do NOT believe in ethanol. They are committed to developing fuels that are "not food-based." It makes sense that fuels should not compete with food production since that will inject volatility in food prices. All 4 companies will expand diesel options, so that should bode well for the US market. All are working on alternatives to fossil fuel and are acting like it's a matter of time/cost. I'd be concerned if I were Saudi Arabia.
 
7. Reducing whiplash injuries will be a major focus in the next generation of cars. Active head restraints combined with increasingly sophisticated (active/passive)mitigation systems can be expected. Toyota is several steps ahead, perhaps witnessed by what's already available on the current Lexus lineup. Seems we can expect more of this, at least in the Japanese market. Some of this will trickle into US and European markets.
 
8. The manual transmission is undergoing a slow death in Japan also. Very sad to see this, but it's inevitable. Even their smallest cars are almost all slushboxes now. They're more efficient and deliver better fuel economy.
 
9. Finally, the sushi is incredible over there. And the beers rival what I had in Germany. But the steaks still rule in Chicago. =)
#8640 of 10007
Re: Since we moved from prices to performance... [cstiles] by warthog
Oct 29, 2006 (5:51 pm)
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Replying to: cstiles (Oct 29, 2006 2:11 pm)

Bravo!

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