Very strange statistic regarding US car sales - GoFuckYourself.com

mineistaken · 09-30-2014, 12:21 PM

I was just reading this article:
http://www.businessweek.com/articles...ng-down-market

Audi A3 - $29K
MB CLA - $30K

Now almost everyone (especially, at least European guys) would think - why would anyone buy A3 if for the same price you can get a CLA?

Yet:

Quote:

In its first three months the model outsold the Mercedes CLA coupe almost two to one, according to auto researcher Autodata.

Even if sales were equal I would find it very strange, yet it is even 2:1. To be fair, those three months were launch months of A3 and CLA was already "not that new", but still...

mikesouth · 09-30-2014, 12:24 PM

Advertising, targeted markets...marketing 101

dyna mo · 09-30-2014, 12:24 PM

3 reasons listed in the article for that -

Yaymadjian, for example, said the $30,000 CLA “felt like I was in a Honda.”

“CLA was the only game in town for a while, and now there’s something to compare it to,”

Mercedes has low inventory of the CLA, which has pushed the sales rate down.

dyna mo · 09-30-2014, 12:30 PM

the final price point also contributes:

Audi has taken a different approach than Mercedes to the entry-level market, giving the A3 a sunroof and leather seats. On the CLA, a solid roof and faux-leather seats are standard features. The A3 sold for an average price of about $32,530 in June, according to Edmunds.com, compared with $38,571 for the CLA

that's an ~18% higher price.

Roald · 09-30-2014, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mineistaken

I was just reading this article:
http://www.businessweek.com/articles...ng-down-market

Audi A3 - $29K
MB CLA - $30K

Now almost everyone (especially, at least European guys) would think - why would anyone buy A3 if for the same price you can get a CLA?

Yet:

Even if sales were equal I would find it very strange, yet it is even 2:1. To be fair, those three months were launch months of A3 and CLA was already "not that new", but still...

I took the Audi A3 over the Mercedes (A class not CLA) myself. Comparible car but just felt better with the Audi.

BTW these US car prizes are nuts compared to Holland. Had to pay just under $50k for my A3(!)

NatalieK · 09-30-2014, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyna mo

3 reasons listed in the article for that -

Yaymadjian, for example, said the $30,000 CLA ?felt like I was in a Honda.?

?CLA was the only game in town for a while, and now there?s something to compare it to,?

Mercedes has low inventory of the CLA, which has pushed the sales rate down.

Audi are a great car, I can understand the higher sales than on the Mercedes

_Richard_ · 09-30-2014, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikesouth

Advertising, targeted markets...marketing 101

id buy the audi long before the MB

dyna mo · 09-30-2014, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikesouth

Advertising, targeted markets...marketing 101

how does this apply here?

Rochard · 09-30-2014, 01:03 PM

BMW and MB used to be a status symbol. Now... Not so much. The trend these days seems to towards leasing cars and any jackass can lease an MB. (A quick search turns up you can lease an MB for $320 a month.)

And I don't think the average BMW or MB is any nicer than any other car.

09-30-2014, 12:24 PM	#2
mikesouth Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: My High Horse Posts: 6,334	Advertising, targeted markets...marketing 101 __________________ Mike South It's No wonder I took up drugs and alcohol, it's the only way I could dumb myself down enough to cope with the morons in this biz.

09-30-2014, 01:03 PM	#9
Rochard Jägermeister Test Pilot Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NORCAL Posts: 73,097	BMW and MB used to be a status symbol. Now... Not so much. The trend these days seems to towards leasing cars and any jackass can lease an MB. (A quick search turns up you can lease an MB for $320 a month.) And I don't think the average BMW or MB is any nicer than any other car. __________________ “The choice is no longer between right or left. The choice is between normal and crazy.” - Sarah Huckabee Sanders YNOT MAIL \| THE BEST ADULT MAILING SOLUTION

09-30-2014, 12:24 PM	#3
dyna mo The People's Post Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: invisible 7-11 Posts: 63,964	3 reasons listed in the article for that - Yaymadjian, for example, said the $30,000 CLA “felt like I was in a Honda.” “CLA was the only game in town for a while, and now there’s something to compare it to,” Mercedes has low inventory of the CLA, which has pushed the sales rate down.

09-30-2014, 12:30 PM	#4
dyna mo The People's Post Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: invisible 7-11 Posts: 63,964	the final price point also contributes: Audi has taken a different approach than Mercedes to the entry-level market, giving the A3 a sunroof and leather seats. On the CLA, a solid roof and faux-leather seats are standard features. The A3 sold for an average price of about $32,530 in June, according to Edmunds.com, compared with $38,571 for the CLA that's an ~18% higher price.