Re: Ferdinand Piech interview/article in Fortune magazine...

[ti@amb.org (Ti Kan)]

Elliott Potter writes:
> > Luxury: Skoda -> VW -> Bentley
> > Sporty: Seat -> Audi -> Lamborghini
> 
> I think that given the current product lines, this grouping is laughable
> at best.
> I mean think about it, in terms of 'sporty', does the A4 match the 3
> series?  The A6 match the 5 series?  A8 match the 7 series?  Well, one
> out of three ain't bad...or is it?

I happen to think that Audi stands up to BMW quite well, thank you.
No, maybe not in simplistic 0-60 numbers, but cars are much more
multi-dimensioned than that.  A4s are kickin the 3-series' butt in
worldwide sales.  A6 has it all over the 5-series in design, and the
A8 is a technology tour de force, making the 7 series look arcane
by comparison.  And you forgot about the A3... it also rates much higher
the BMW compact (318ti to those in the States).

> That's not to mention the VW...OK, they've come a long way, but they're
> going to have to do a lot better in the quality of the interior to catch
> up with M-B...and perhaps come up with a design of their own in the
> process.

You have obviously not seen the leaps in quality VW made in its interior
on its current A platform cars.  VW is going after Mercedes' low end with
its offerings.  When you compare, say the new Golf 4's interior to that
of a Mercedes A class, for example, you will find the Golf to compare
favorably.

-Ti
96 A4 2.8 quattro
84 5000S 2.1 turbo
80 4000 2.0
-- 
    ///  Ti Kan                Vorsprung durch Technik
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