[V8] Ever wonder why the newer Audis (and other cars) are soooheavy?

[Steve Meyer]

I like your idea of providing cheap gas at the
dealership, but the only companies that are as
powerful as the automotive companies are the oil
companies. I don't think they'd let it happen. There
is a reason why Exxon made $10 billion last year. They
can control everything. You could possibly find a
joint venture that provides Shell stations attatched
to Ford dealerships (for example), but I think it
would be difficult to find the proper price point. How
much cheaper would gas have to be in order to drive
out of your way to get it? Also, what happpens if gas
prices go down while this Ford dealership has  tons of
the "old" gasoline still in it's tanks? They will lose
even more. I also think this concept could be the
beginning of a price war. If Shell were to strike a
deal with Ford, would Exxon strike a deal with GM, or
would they just start lowering prices at all their
other gas stations thus giving people the convenience
of not having to drive to the dealership. Or would
Exxon even worry about it, because they know people
are lazy and would rather pay more than have to find a
dealership.

I too am someone that auto makers don't care about.
I've never bought a new car, nor do I ever plan on it.
I have been fairly loyal, but most people don't
understand my love of crappy old Audis. Seven Audis
over the last eleven years, one Acura, and my
Volkswagen Passat 4Motion. I'd like to buy a used TT
someday, and maybe a S4 Avant, but that's about it.
I'd rather have a kick ass 4kq than an A4, as long as
my girlfriend has a normal car that you can actually
fit people and luggage into! (Thus the S4 Avant!!!)

Free stuff works to get people the first time, but
will it make them come back? If one company starts
doing it, others will follow, so there goes your
advantage. Look at the free oil change issue. BMW is
about the only company still doing it. It worked at
first, but once all the major luxury companies were
doind it, it didn't matter any more.

I think the real key is service(possibly in
association with free stuff!!!). Which is also the
hardest to control. Not only repair service, but sales
service as well. I get treated better when I go into
the Saturn dealership with my girlfriends $17,000 Ion
than I do when I take in my $30,000+ Passat. And this
is at a place where the same company owns both
dealerships which are only a couple hundred yards away
from each other. The attitudes are better. People like
to have their butts kissed, especially when a car has
had something go wrong. The elitest attitudes at most
Audi dealerships have got to go. Think about going out
for drinks. When you go into a nice pub where the
waitstaff is courteous and fast, you are willing to
pay more for your drinks. If you go to a college bar
and you're lucky to get someone to come to your table,
you expect to pay less. People will pay for service
and a smile!!!

That's it for now!
slm

> AND -- speaking of loyalty... I'm 36, and over the
> past 20 years, I have
> owned at least one example of just about every
> mainstream automotive
> brand out there.  The vast majority were pre-owned,
> which perhaps until
> recently put me in the consumer bracket that
> automakers don't give a
> crap about.  But as an enthusiast, my preferences
> aren't changing; my
> preference is to try lots of flavors.  
> 
> Which all makes one wonder -- what WOULD an
> automaker have to do today
> to attract AND retain new-car buyers?  I believe the
> answer is fairly
> straightforward: give away free stuff.  LOFs, killer
> warranties, etc.
> (and get P-Diddy to drive around in one).
> 
> Lastly:  I wonder if it'd be beneficial for some co.
> to buy gas in
> massive bulk and set up gas pumps at its
> dealerships, and sell for 80%
> of the market to drivers of their cars.  It'd be an
> epic loss leader,
> but I bet it'd bring some buyers in...
> 
> Until the natural efficiency of the market takes
> hold I guess.
> 
> -DaveC.
> 
> 
>  
> > Audi is learning from marketing giants like
> Wal-Mart, 
> > McDonald's and Applebee's. Pump some advertising
> and people 
> > will buy!...
> 
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