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Sales Flops of 2005

729 messages,  Last post on May 08, 2006 at 7:51 AM

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#20 of 729 Re: I think the problem any more... [ghulet] by jlawrence01 Oct 28, 2005 (9:43 pm)
Replying to: ghulet (Nov 20, 2005 9:43 pm) ***While something like the current Lexus LS is a very 'nice' car, they sure haven't changed much in fifteen years in terms of basic shape, power or size, and now their neck-and-neck in price with a Mercedes E430, if not more costly.***   That is true. However, unlike the Mercedes, they come with outstanding customer service and great reliability.   I have been to both the Mercedes and the Lexus events this past year at Arlington Park and I hear two constant themes   1) They don't make Mercedes like they used to.   2) You get so much more from Lexus with fewer problems (and I heard that at the Mercedes event).   One of the local businessmen always reminds me that he paid "$20k for a used Lexus with 80k miles and he's driven it for ten years and it doesn't look or ride any different than the day he bought it."
#21 of 729 Lemko: by jrosasmc Nov 21, 2005 (5:24 am)
I didn't know your girlfriend had a LaCrosse- when did she purchase it? Replies to this message: lemko (Nov 21, 2005 5:30 am)
#22 of 729 Re: Lemko: [jrosasmc] by lemko Nov 21, 2005 (5:30 am)
Replying to: jrosasmc (Nov 21, 2005 5:24 am) She purchased it on March 18th of this year. She is extremely satisfied with the car. The Buick customer service so far has been excellent. I might go back there to check out a Lucerne.
#23 of 729 It's kinda funny... by andre1969 Nov 21, 2005 (5:39 am)
how the Lexus LS and Infiniti Q-ship seem to have "grown up" and aged. IMO the old models, especially those first, grille-less Q's, seem down right youthful in comparison!
#24 of 729 Re: what about [nippononly] by prosa Nov 21, 2005 (7:05 am)
Replying to: nippononly (Nov 20, 2005 12:50 am) Pricing is probably the B9 Tribeca's weak point. While the 5-passenger base models can be had for under $30,000, they're few and far between. Almost every model shipped to dealers is a 7-passenger model with leather and is priced in the mid-30s. Come to think of it, Volkswagen is doing basically the same with the new Jetta and Passat, loading up almost all of them with expensive packages. I know, this load-em-up strategy worked fine for Chrysler when it brought out the 300, even today it's hard to find V-6 base models, but the 300 was a big enough hit that Chrysler was able to get away with it. Not so with the Tribeca and Jetta/Passat. As for the Lucerne, GM has excluded it from the Red Tag promotion, which might be a sign of strong sales. Replies to this message: 210delray (Nov 21, 2005 7:08 am)
#25 of 729 Re: what about [prosa] by 210delray Nov 21, 2005 (7:08 am)
Replying to: prosa (Nov 21, 2005 7:05 am) As for the Lucerne, GM has excluded it from the Red Tag promotion, which might be a sign of strong sales.   Maybe wishful thinking?   In reference to Chrysler, the load-em up strategy failed miserably on the Pacifica.
#26 of 729 how about... by au94 Nov 21, 2005 (7:09 am)
the Ford Freestyle and to a lesser extent the 500? I don't see many Freestyles around and it seems that customers just opt for one of the alternatives (SUV or sedan) rather than an attempt at a hybrid. Replies to this message: prosa (Nov 21, 2005 7:12 am)
#27 of 729 Re: how about... [au94] by prosa Nov 21, 2005 (7:12 am)
Replying to: au94 (Nov 21, 2005 7:09 am) There have been rumors that Ford is going to drop the Freestyle. Dunno if they're true, but I certainly don't see many of them on the road. 500's are slightly more common but certainly not as common as they should be.
#28 of 729 I think Chrysler learned a bit... by andre1969 Nov 21, 2005 (7:23 am)
from their mistake on the Pacifica. Took them a long time to learn though, because they did the same thing with the Reliant/Aries in 1981, and the Aspen/Volare in 1976!   When the 300 came out, Chrysler had more of a variety in stock. Also, it seemed like they didn't flood the lots with them at first...they let them trickle in to see which ones the customers wanted. And in a rare occurence, it turns out this was one model where a good chunk of the buyers WANTED the pricier trim level! For awhile, something like 40% of 300 sales were the Hemi C model, leaving the three cheaper lines to scrap for the remaining 60%. In contrast, the vast majority of Intrepids and Concordes were usually the cheapest trim line. And even with cars like the Accord, Camry, and Altima, the top trim levels usually only account for a relative handful of sales. Replies to this message: au94 (Nov 21, 2005 12:16 pm)
#29 of 729 Re: I think Chrysler learned a bit... [andre1969] by au94 Nov 21, 2005 (12:16 pm)
Replying to: andre1969 (Nov 21, 2005 7:23 am) thats the beauty of the Honda and Toyota marketing plans.   They sell the high volume models (think Accord LX, Camry LE) at a great price and well equipped to the majority of their buyers. But for the percentage that wants a baby Lexus or Acura, they can have a V-6, leather clad offering available as well. All off the same platform, same factory etc.   This allows them to make larger margins on the meat and potatoes of the line up, but still not turn off a potential buyer with a few more bucks in their pocket.

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