Audi vs. Ford (was Mistaken Identity)

[Fringe Ryder <fringe@fringeweb.com>]

I agree with most of your post, but currently the U.S. IS the target Audi
market.  In fact, we've been their second-largest market for several years.  

For some credibility, I quote from the May/June 99 "Audi Driver", on the A6
Avant 4.2L: "Audi expects to sell about 5900 in the first full year of
production,  including 2300 in Germany and 2800 in the USA, the market at
which it is directly aimed."

Realize that "Audi Driver" is a BRITISH magazine.  This isn't a case of
U.S. arrogance.  There are a lot of other current cases like this,
including some substantial TT design decisions made around U.S. laws.  

Audi is aiming cars at the U.S.  They have been.  This is, in my opinion,
why I had to special order my '97 A4Q when I wanted it loaded but with a
stickshift; they pay attention to the market and most luxury car buyers use
automatics.

FWIW though, Audi styling was more distinctive in the '80s.  My A4Q is very
Honda-ish in appearance.  

Regards

Jim Desveaux said...
>4. Okay, now to Audi content: A big round of applause to a major subunit of
>a gigantic company for running against the tide, and designing cars that
>cannot be mistaken for something spawned outside of Ingolstadt or
>Necharsulm.  I'd wager, however, that a big reason for Audi's originality in
>both engineering and design has to do with the fact that North America is
>not Audi's principal market.  Europeans will tolerate more quirkiness in
>
>their cars than will Americans.
>
>Now watch me get flamed on this last comment.
>
>- - Jim
>