An Open Letter to The Big Two-and-a-Half

"TheElephant" (426cubicinches) 11/26/2015 at 01:37 • Filed to: None

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An Open Letter to The Big Two-and-a-Half:

Please, spin your nameplates into sub-brands, and then define the trim by manufacturer.

For example: Camaro by Chevrolet; Challenger by Dodge; Mustang by Ford.

Here’s why: the nameplate defines the car – in each of the three cases above, the nameplate implies brawny, raw, unabashed ‘Murica. And the manufacturer’s brand implies the qualities of the vehicle: Chevrolet is Americana Incarnate; the Dodge Boys built a shameless brand based on smokey burnouts; Ford is quality innovation.

And the manufacturer is really a family name anyway. You don’t call your neighbor “Smith, Joe”, right?

This allows for some wonderful platform sharing and market expansion. Imagine a Challenger by Chrysler (or – GASP! – Alfa Romeo)? A modified, aggressive 300 front and tail grafted onto the Challenger? Retaining that epic C-pillar? And a luxury interior with a leather wrapped dash. Probably auto-only, but still: the 8 speed is buttery smooth with the 400 horsepower 5.7L V-8.

Mustang by Lincoln anyone? Maybe some squared off corners to call back to the epic 60’s-era luxo-barges? All black, please. With turned aluminum dash trim, all-day comfortable seats and a stereo to make Beethoven weep.

OK, bad example. But you see where I’m going with this.

Imagine the cross-shopping potential. Sir is interested in a C63 AMG Coupe? Well, has he seen the V-series Camaro by Cadillac?

Oh, a 4-series, guy? May we suggest the Camaro GNX by Buick. Excuse the whistling – that’s just the turbo-charged six cylinder.

The domestic manufacturers finally have the platforms that can compete toe-to-toe with the best of ‘em, so why not expand the market and use the muscle as a “halo-niche.”

Thanks,

TheElephant

McChiken116 - Patrick H. > TheElephant 11/26/2015 at 01:45

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Because there are still people that are Ford, GM, or MOPAR guys. That and using the same chassis for multiple cars is super common. New cars are made to benefit the brand. Model names having marketing, research, and heritage, which this idea would undo pretty handily. It’s a fun universe to think about, but not much more than that

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) M. Arch > TheElephant 11/26/2015 at 02:02

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Platforms are already shared across lineups. The 300 is just a Charger in nice clothes. A Lincoln based on the Mustang platform would be great, especially if it had the 3.5 ecoboost. Often the cost of new tooling for a niche car doesn’t make as much financial sense as just adding a new trim level to an existing car. Also, the V-series Camaro exists as the ATS-V.

Not hating, just the logic behind the badges.

phenotyp > TheElephant 11/26/2015 at 02:41

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I think it dilutes the value of the brand as a whole.

Writing that makes me feel icky, and I’ll see myself out.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > TheElephant 11/26/2015 at 02:55

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You’re giving the general buying public far too much credit when it comes to remembering brands/models/trim levels.

I work for a dealer and we gets calls about someone’s (three-digit number) all the time. As in, “ I have a ###, and I need help working the ____ system/feature.

Okay. Is your car a sedan or SUV?

Seriously, as long as the number on the back is the same or bigger than the their last car, people don’t pay any attention beyond that.