by "Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
Published 06/21/2017 at 21:29
by "Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
Published 06/21/2017 at 21:29
Tags: Branding
STARS: 1
Anyone else notice that a lot of automakers have an uninteresting namesake brand? I mean the Fiat and Chrysler brands are pretty nonexistent compared to all the other FCA brands. Mercedes-Benz looks to be nearing 70% of their models NOT being “Benzies.” I mean look at this!
Two Land Rovers but four Range Rovers? How does a model have a larger range than the actual brand? The way the branding is setup JLR is implying that there is only one model they build, the Discovery!
Then I look over at the Dodge Charger...
Only 3 out of the 8 levels of Dodge Charger can be had with Dodge’s “signature” crosshairs grille. But according to the current online configurator, by adding on the $1,205 Super Track Pack, Dodge will put the SRT-style front end on your R/T free of charge! Heaven forbid people see you in something that is “just” a Dodge.
I’m just pointing out that automakers are milking their premium and performance brands because that’s what people obviously want. However, in the process they are devaluing their names to the point where the premium and performance badges become regular models. Then everyone gets used to them and they begin to scream for badges above the badges they are already paying a premium for just to avoid saying they own your brand, even when they love that product.
Maybe it’s time to increase the value and amount of interest in the “regular” brand rather than continuing to squeeze everything out of your subbrands, Automakers...
Interesting cars under the parent’s name needs to become a thing. But even then you still have an issue where everyone NEEDS to buy a car higher than the not yet paid off one they are trading in. That Jeep Overland isn’t good enough so now Jeep needs to add a Summit trim to everything.
Almost every Yukon is a Denali! How can you call something a top trim if over 60% of the sales ARE that trim? If a majority of sales are the highest thing you offer then you need to move your ACTUAL BRAND upmarket because it ain’t cutting it. Instead of creating an Avenir line, maybe bump up Buick and get people interested in the actual brand, not the apology for not surpassing expectations.
It’s pathetic to be a multi-billion dollar company calling yourself successful when signing your work devalues it.
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
06/21/2017 at 21:35, STARS: 0
I think that is normal progression.- my folks drove an MGB GT and a hotted up Dart when they they were young, now they have a RAV4...
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
06/21/2017 at 21:38, STARS: 3
I just want to point out that land-rover/range-rover is very misunderstood by a lot of non car people. I’ve talked to a lot of people who don’t know which is the manufacturer and which is the Model, and many who assume they’re interchangeable or both models in a lineup, or a trim level on a model, etc.
"notsomethingstructural" (notsomethingstructural)
06/21/2017 at 21:51, STARS: 1
dude this has been going on for years, look at the massive shitheaps the SE-R became. that badge went straight in the toilet then continued to descend to the sewers and eventually to hell
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
06/21/2017 at 21:55, STARS: 2
I thought the make was Range, Model was Rover, trim levels are sport etc.
/kidding
Or am i?
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
06/21/2017 at 22:01, STARS: 3
Right?!
That brings up another good point. The “putting a sport at the end of a model name and having it be an entirely different model” trend needs to die
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
06/21/2017 at 22:02, STARS: 1
Range Rover Land Rover Red Rover Sport Autobiography Black Edition Finalé the 2nd
"Svend" (svend)
06/21/2017 at 22:03, STARS: 0
Land Rover tried back in the 80s and 90s to make Range Rover a sister marque.
The Defender was utilitarian,
Discovery was family and utilitarian as well as for people aspiring to Range Rover and the
Freelander was an entry lever vehicle for the Land Rover brand and to attract young more city focused clientele.
Range Rover in many markets were already being seen as different to Land Rover and as a prestige vehicle, by separating the two they could then go onto having Range Rover dealerships in wealthy markets without having Defenders, Discoverys and Freelanders on the showroom floor or forecourt.
It never came to much as existing Land Rover owners didn’t like the idea and wealthier existing Range Rover owners wanted the connection, the history, giving it breeding.
It looks odd now as the Defender died before it got replaced and the Freelander only recently died off in the last couple of years. I reckon the Discovery Sport ate into the Freelander market too.
"wiffleballtony" (wiffleballtony)
06/21/2017 at 22:08, STARS: 0
Overfinch
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
06/21/2017 at 22:10, STARS: 0
Parents are boring (generally) because they are too exhausted dealing with their children and too worried about paying for college. They need something boring and dependable to get to soccer practice and band rehearsals.
"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
06/21/2017 at 22:23, STARS: 0
Thank you, now I’m off to configure a Hellcat.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
06/21/2017 at 22:30, STARS: 3
“sport” needs to die. As a model or trim level. What does it mean? entry level? faster? more utility?
"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/21/2017 at 22:44, STARS: 0
so frustrating shopping for a full sized montero and all you get is sports
"E92M3" (E46M3)
06/21/2017 at 23:35, STARS: 1
Especially if it’s a crossover (Hyundai Sante Fe “Sport” I’m looking at you).
"E92M3" (E46M3)
06/21/2017 at 23:39, STARS: 0
Sometimes I really have to ponder how some of these auto execs ever made it to where they are, and how they continue to stay there.
Then they fire someone like Mark Fields?
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
06/22/2017 at 00:01, STARS: 1
Oh man, I can only imagine. Typing “Montero, NOT SPORT” probably doesn’t help filter the results...
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
06/22/2017 at 00:02, STARS: 0
If it’s a Corolla or Fit, it just means wheels instead of steelies, and a plastic skirt all around to reduce ground clearance and increase SPORT
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
06/22/2017 at 00:03, STARS: 0
Agreed. I’d be okay with trim levels going out the window entirely. Everything à la carte. A man can dream
"awmaster10" (awmaster10)
06/22/2017 at 00:31, STARS: 0
Annoying because Full sized monteros are great while sports are average at best