Re: Audi: Dream Line Up

[Jenny Spark <sparkg@wave.co.nz>]

On Fri 31 Jan, owner-quattro-digest@coimbra.ans.net wrote:
 
> From: RUTLEDGE_R@a1.wdc.com
<snip bigtime>
> transmission, suspension).  Audi must build to the target market they are 
> going after.  What would you all define as the Audi target market?  I think 
> of the following for other automakers:
> 
> GM: The features the average guy wants at a low price.
> Ford: Better design, quality, features than GM, higher price.
> Honda: Efficiency, reliability, quality.
> Toyota: The features the average guy wants, but with reliablity
> and quality at a higher price.
> Mercedes: Awesome quality for those with high disposable income.
> BMW: A performance/sporty Mercedes
> Volvo: Safe, long-lasting sedans/wagons.
> 
> If you follow this drift.....where does Audi position themselves relative 
> to Lexus (Toyota), Acura (Honda), Infiniti (Nissan), Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, 
> Saab and the other autos in the price range they target?  I think a clue is 
> to compare Audi with Suburu....as I understand Suburu will sell >200K cars 
> in the US in 1997 (true?/false?). 

As a recent convert to Audi, the things that attracted me were (not in any
order):

1-quattro  (ok THATS in order)

2-build quality - after many Aussie GM products (HSV) that's self explanatory

3-componentry quality (especially interior - feels like driving a Rolex)

4-performance - my MTM modded 1.8T (187hp),while not a scorcher,is a 
  beautifully balanced refined performance/handling complete package

5-safety - not trumpeted loudly by Audi but equal with the best

6-sophisticated and subtle (in contrast to the social strutting of Merc/BMW)

7-handling - especially quattro especially in the slippery stuff

8-driving pleasure (actually should be number 1 for me)

9-styling - only UR and A4/A8 however - the middle years were too bland for me

Summary: the best that Merc/BMW/Volvo/Subaru have to offer and more,all 
         rolled into one humdinger of a car that the rest of the world is 
         finally starting to wake up to - (if Euro sales figures compared 
         to BMW are anything to go by.)

For the list Rich gave above I'd add:

Audi: Safe Sophisticated Quality backed by Inspired Technical Innovation for
      Superb Driving Pleasure

All that's needed now is some decent marketing (hardly a past Audi strength)
backed up by production capacity to meet the demand.

-- 
Greg Spark
'96 A4 1.8Tq
MTM 187hp 
Unstyled by design.