Re: BMW India maintains its lead over Mercedes: EDIT- Now Audi overtakes as well Quote:
Originally Posted by rrsteer But contrary to what the analyst below suggests, I much like the fact that Mercedes' board comprises of the lowest number of 'outsiders'. I think this would help Mercedes to not loose sight of the historical values that underlines the brand. Personally, I don't want Mercedes to be very aggressive in building market share. The fan in me ( yeah, who has no financial strings attached or numbers to worry about) just hopes that the brand takes an alternate route without worrying about market share and builds cars with the same set of values that it was always known for. |
Interesting point of view. And I do share your sentiment. Give me a Peter Morgan or a Peter Wheeler as CEO of a car company anytime. Never heard them talk about CAGR or EBIT. They just talked about cars. Ok, so especially TVR is going through a very rough patch indeed. Few would argue that Peter Wheeler was an extremely passionate petrol head.
The very fact that these three brands are mentioned in one and the same breath, one and the same comparison is a pretty good sign that whatever they produce is just a commodity. It is in essence mass production for a mass audience. No real outstanding differentiating factors.
Now put a Morgan or a TVR next to an Audi, BMW or Mercedes and everything will be different. It's simply no comparison. I'm not interested in how a car manufacturer does financially, I'm only interested in what he produces and I don't like to be associated with "masses". Sometimes there is no avoidance.
I was one of the very first Iphone users and was getting increasingly worried that every Tom, Dick and Harry has one these days. I was seriously contemplating doing away with mine. Why would I want something that everybody else has? Luckily I read an article today which stated that Iphones have become extremely uncool, in at least the Netherlands. My own daughter calls my Iphone: "so 2010". Anybody under 24 doesn't want be seen dead with an iPhone. That's good news as soon I'll be back to my Exclusive user-niche. Mind you, likely they'll all be a bunch of old farts like myself.
When it comes to cars, I'm the same. I don't like main stream. And Audi, BMW and Mercedes are main stream for the high end segment. They are the Nano of the high end segment. Cars for the masses.
I've owned a number of Audi's, BMWs and Mercedes (and still own a Mercedes), and for work, when you need a very reliable, very comfortable car they are great. But they never put a smile on my face, such as my Jaguar or my Alfa Romeo. Both notoriously unreliable. Oh and British and Italian cars still rust, believe me.
Jeroen |