[Kink]

In all honesty, I'm hoping for an honest discussion of motives
(well as honest as one could be on the internet). Consider the crop of small luxury saloons available, all with a certain degree of pedigree, granted Jaguar does carry more cachet in Europe than they do in NA, UK in particular, but why should or would anyone choose an unproven saloon in the face of bread and butter sedans like the 3 series, A4, C-class or IS?

This is not an attack or meant in a detrimental tone, just an honest question...

 

[Winger]

Cars like the 3 series, a4, C-class and IS all are popular already. That is because they have a reputation and are coupled with a certain image. This draws people to these cars, but it is exactly because these cars are established and popular that people may be looking for something else.

Jaguar is on the upswing as far as reputation goes in NA. While every lawyer, doctor and business person has a German car, Jaguars are still a less common sighting. I think that people will go for the XE to have the new kid on block. Something that other people don't have, ya know?

 

[1XEJon]

The 3-Series and A4, especially in the UK, have a reputation for being owned and driven by (sorry for this) Knobends, people who think they are better than everyone else, The Merc on the other hand has a reputation as an elderly drivers car, however this new one, might change all that, the Lexus, well they sell very few cars in the UK to worry about.

 

[blackonblack]

fan of jaguar

problem?

everyone and their grandma has a 3 series.

 

[Kingpin]

The 3-Series and A4, especially in the UK, have a reputation for being owned and driven by (sorry for this) Knobends, people who think they are better than everyone else, The Merc on the other hand has a reputation as an elderly drivers car, however this new one, might change all that, the Lexus, well they sell very few cars in the UK to worry about.

Even in america this is known.
A lot of them are the type to double park, park and drive like dbags and just be a big piss off.

 

[blackonblack]

Jaguars are just cooler. End of story.

 

[Kingpin]

Jaguars are just cooler. End of story.

Yup, because they are british and with that carry a whole different design style, it stands out from the rest which are all german and seem sort of repetitive in ways. Got to love a lot of things about jaguar.

 

[Kink]

well I think the germans are suiciding themselves slicing and dicing every single market niche into itty bitty tranches. I think at the end of the day this is going to come back and bite all three of the teutonic behemoths for no other reason than their own arrogance.

It leaves the door wide open for marks like Jag to waltz right up the middle and offer a tangible offer to the cookie cutter products both are kicking out now.

I mean Mercedes CLA, c'mon. I'll have a Corolla please

 

[Winger]

I also think that the barrage of models from the Germans is getting a little overwhelming. I just don't see how every single one of those models is going to be a success.

I remember reading once that people who drive BMWs are the most douchey drivers. Running lights, double parking, speeding, etc... Some people want to be a part of that... others don't.

 

[Kingpin]

What will help with them being a success is expanding into more markets, these are becoming more into world vehicles rather than made for a few large markets.

 

[1XEJon]

I cant get in the back of a CLA, and even an E-CLass is not as easy as it should be, the XF i have had no issues getting on and out of either front or back, the Jags have an air of quality and with nice touches, like auto vents, rising knobs (oo er missus) and the like, make the Jag range a better car to be in.

 

[rawcpoppa]

I think what the Germans are doing is basically taking advantage of shared platforms. They can slice and dice simply because they can. It doesn't take BMW as much work to create a derivative of a 3 series for example as both cars now share so many parts that they don't have to spend money on working on these niche vehicles from scratch. Charge a premium for the niche vehicle and voila. 80% 3 series parts but much higher profit on the niche versus the 3 series.

I am talking from what I've read and seen with respect to Audi/VW but I believe it's similar for the other Germans. MLB, MQB architectures allow them to run rampant with new vehicles.

 

[Kingpin]

i think it's okay that headroom and legroom is sacrificed a big in this segment, this is no cadillac, it's supposed to be performance focused, not everyone will fit

 

[Kink]

I think what the Germans are doing is basically taking advantage of shared platforms. They can slice and dice simply because they can. It doesn't take BMW as much work to create a derivative of a 3 series for example as both cars now share so many parts that they don't have to spend money on working on these niche vehicles from scratch. Charge a premium for the niche vehicle and voila. 80% 3 series parts but much higher profit on the niche versus the 3 series.

I am talking from what I've read and seen with respect to Audi/VW but I believe it's similar for the other Germans. MLB, MQB architectures allow them to run rampant with new vehicles.

Indeed that is the story, however VW/Audi is the only of the three with a fully modular operation (MQB, MLB). Mercedes is working with Renault and Nissan to cut their development costs and BMW is re-purposing Mini platforms now.

You are correct about BMW slicing and dicing as well, it becomes a feedback loop. The more components bought/produced the lower the cost of production making more derivatives viable and desired. Unfortunately this the GM disease that harpooned all the big three. People are still being blinded by the roundel for now

 

[Kingpin]

About that it would be cool to see some sort of break down on all the platforms used on the various models out there and how common parts are from various vehicles, some people may be very disappointed .

 

[rawcpoppa]

Lol disappointed might even be an understatement. I'm most familiar with the VW group due to what I own and it's incredible the sheer number of parts shared between VW, Skoda, Audi and Seat and the price differences between the brands. There's going to be even more commonality due to the MQB platform now. Too bad the prices are all over the place between each brand.

 

[Kingpin]

Lol disappointed might even be an understatement. I'm most familiar with the VW group due to what I own and it's incredible the sheer number of parts shared between VW, Skoda, Audi and Seat and the price differences between the brands. There's going to be even more commonality due to the MQB platform now. Too bad the prices are all over the place between each brand.

Yeah it's crazy how parts are priced like that, but thats how the industry goes, they always do that, it's to be expected.