Audi is shooting itself in both feet; Was: Re: Audi is starting to become GM!!!

[Elliott Potter <epotter@abraxis.com>]

YES!!!!  I thought I was the only one noticing this!!!
I keep hearing people talking about VW's using the Audi V6, or the
quattro system, or sharing body panels, etc.  But I think it's even
worse than GM:  Think now, Toyota/Lexus!  Tell me the difference between
a Toyota and a Lexus--about $10,000 and the nameplate!  That's it!  Same
engine, same suspension, same body panels, basically same interior...  I
see this slowly happening to Audi/VW.  Noticed similarities between the
new Bug and the TT?  The Passat and the A6?

It looks to me like they're getting much too close to each other.  The
line between them is blurring, and the Audi badge doesn't have the
prestige that the Lexus badge has to compete.  If you tell a Lexus owner
"hey why didn't you save $10K and buy a Toyota," they will say "Because
I'm driving a Lexus.  It's the name."  VW/Audi?  Nope.  When the VW's
all start having Synchro, what's going to make people get the Audi AWD
instead of the VW AWD?  Not the name, the name Audi means nothing here. 
Not the amazing handling differences or driveability differences,
they're getting much closer to each other.  Maybe the luxury, but then
people will look at BM, Mercedes, SAAB, Volvo, etc. and prefer them
because who wants to drive a luxury car if no one else knows it?

OK done ranting.

Elliott


>Qlisters,
>OK, I've been looking at the pics of the new Passat, and it is very close to
>the lines of the new A6.  Very Very Close!  SO, are we going to see cookie
>cutter cars like GM is known for?  I am not wild about the sharing of
>platforms (sorry quantum owners), it only hurts the image that Audi has tried
>so hard to get as a maker of DIFFERENT luxury sport sedans.  
>
>Now VWs have Audi engines, Audi AWD systems....it's getting out of hand.  I
>like VW just as much as the next Audi owner, but I think they have different
>missions, and should remain different.  I have owned a GTI and Corrado, and
>liked them both, BUT, they were very different from Audis, and I sold the
>corrado to get a Coupe Quattro, I wanted a more mature sports car taht was
>different fromt the VW (and so much better!).  Now i'm hearing about V8 and
>V12 VWs?????  what's with that?  What is Ferdinand Pieche, the designer of
>the most beautiful Quattro Turbo Coupe, thinking????  The Audi Image is at
>it's highest ever for the past 2 years, WHY RUIN IT???  We all suffered
>through the Unintended Acceleration failure, now we are beyond that and
>taking steps backward.