Same model, better design?

[TimeKeeper]

I was in Taiwan couple weeks ago for their Annual CeBit show and I notice many cars has different design compare to the U.S. model.

Take Asian Camry for example.. ( maybe I am old, but I like their more "conservative" styling )

Asian Camry Front
Asian Camry Back

as oppose to
US Camry Front
US Camry Back

What's weird is that in the U.S. one has to pay TOP dollars for a Infiniti M, where they simple name it Nissan Teana which selling CHEAPER than Camry!!!!!!
Asian Infiniti Teana
Asian Infiniti Teana 2

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper
What's weird is that in the U.S. one has to pay TOP dollars for a Infiniti M, where they simple name it Nissan Teana which selling CHEAPER than Camry!!!!!!
Asian Infiniti Teana
Asian Infiniti Teana 2

The law of supply and demand. It's the same thing as paying 8k for a 1994 accord with 120000 miles on it. You could get the same reliability from something else but people still want an accord and are willing to pay for it.

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper
What's weird is that in the U.S. one has to pay TOP dollars for a Infiniti M, where they simple name it Nissan Teana which selling CHEAPER than Camry!!!!!!
Asian Infiniti Teana
Asian Infiniti Teana 2

The law of supply and demand. It's the same thing as paying 8k for a 1994 accord with 120000 miles on it. You could get the same reliability from something else but people still want an accord and are willing to pay for it.

I think in Infiniti/Nissan case, it is more of "marketing strategy" rather than S&D.
In simple term, we seems like a lollypop?

 

[senseamp]

Nissan Teana is not the same as Infiniti M, even though they are styled very similarly.
Teana is a front wheel drive sedan (Maxima + Altima platform), more of an equivalent to the Nissan Maxima with a different body (it actually is sold as Nissan Maxima in Australia). Infiniti M is a rear wheel drive sedan (G35 + 350Z platform), and is a totally different animal mechanically. Nissan has yet to build a wall between Nissan and Infiniti styling globally, which is causing confusion and something they need to get on with soon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Teana

As far as the Camry, who cares? The old/boring geezers who buy those things don't care how they look in the unlikely case their vision was good enough to see it

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: senseamp
Nissan Teana is not the same as Infiniti M, even though they are styled very similarly.
Teana is a front wheel drive sedan (Maxima + Altima platform), more of an equivalent to the Nissan Maxima with a different body (it actually is sold as Nissan Maxima in Australia). Infiniti M is a rear wheel drive sedan (G35 + 350Z platform), and is a totally different animal mechanically. Nissan has yet to build a wall between Nissan and Infiniti styling globally, which is causing confusion and something they need to get on with soon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Teana

As far as the Camry, who cares? The old/boring geezers who buy those things don't care how they look in the unlikely case their vision was good enough to see it

Argh.... I see. I didn't get to drive that. When I saw Teana, I was quite surprised.

Hey, be nice. Camry has been number one seller many years in a row in the U.S.!

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

Originally posted by: senseamp
Nissan Teana is not the same as Infiniti M, even though they are styled very similarly.
Teana is a front wheel drive sedan (Maxima + Altima platform), more of an equivalent to the Nissan Maxima with a different body (it actually is sold as Nissan Maxima in Australia). Infiniti M is a rear wheel drive sedan (G35 + 350Z platform), and is a totally different animal mechanically. Nissan has yet to build a wall between Nissan and Infiniti styling globally, which is causing confusion and something they need to get on with soon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_Teana

As far as the Camry, who cares? The old/boring geezers who buy those things don't care how they look in the unlikely case their vision was good enough to see it

Argh.... I see. I didn't get to drive that. When I saw Teana, I was quite surprised.

Hey, be nice. Camry has been number one seller many years in a row in the U.S.!

it has yet to beat the ford F150 though

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

it has yet to beat the ford F150 though

Darn! I should said car, not "truck"! Stop picking on me..hahah :laugh:

 

[thomsbrain]

Yeah, I prefer the styling on the asian camry, but is it really the same car? Remember that the Accord sold in North America is specific only to this continent, and the "Accord" sold everywhere else is a completely different car. I don't know if that applies to the Camry or not.

I also prefer the styling of the Euro Civic to the US Civic. And actually, the previous-gen Euro Accord was better looking than the previous-gen US Accord (though I bought one anyway). That said, they don't get all the fun. Many US versions of cars come with much more powerful engines than those sold elsewhere.

 

[swtethan]

civic type R sedan is much better looking in japan than our SI http://www.j-garage.com/honda/civic/fd2.htm

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Yeah, I prefer the styling on the asian camry, but is it really the same car? Remember that the Accord sold in North America is specific only to this continent, and the "Accord" sold everywhere else is a completely different car. I don't know if that applies to the Camry or not.
.

I would think so. using same 167hp/2.4L and 277hp/3.5L engine, exactly same interior design. (except, Asian Camry use lots wood panel) and DVD/HDTV is legal option.



Asian camry interior

 

[996GT2]

It seems like a lot of the foreign makers reserve some of their best cars for domestic distribution only (JDM CTR, DC5 ITR, Skyline GT-R, etc).

I'm sure US makers do the same to some extent as well, but...on the other hand, they sometimes seem to do just the opposite. For example, two well-received Ford models (the Focus RS and new Mondeo) are nowhere to be found in the states. From watching Top Gear and 5th Gear reviews, both cars seemed impressive and well-liked, yet neither can be had in the US, despite the fact that Ford is an American company.

 

[imported_K3N]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
It seems like a lot of the foreign makers reserve some of their best cars for domestic distribution only (JDM CTR, DC5 ITR, Skyline GT-R, etc).

I'm sure US makers do the same to some extent as well, but...on the other hand, they sometimes seem to do just the opposite. For example, two well-received Ford models (the Focus RS and new Mondeo) are nowhere to be found in the states. From watching Top Gear and 5th Gear reviews, both cars seemed impressive and well-liked, yet neither can be had in the US, despite the fact that Ford is an American company.

in the US, those cars are sold as entry level economic vehicles. The focus rs in europe are very desirable because small cars are very fuel efficient. If those cars were released in the US, their prices would be 25-30 thousand grand. If you want a car similar to those, then the mazda speed models would be the closest things to them (mazda is owned by ford), not the piece of shit american focuses.

 

[Corporate Thug]

wow, i would actually consider buying the Asian Camry

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
It seems like a lot of the foreign makers reserve some of their best cars for domestic distribution only (JDM CTR, DC5 ITR, Skyline GT-R, etc).

I'm sure US makers do the same to some extent as well, but...on the other hand, they sometimes seem to do just the opposite. For example, two well-received Ford models (the Focus RS and new Mondeo) are nowhere to be found in the states. From watching Top Gear and 5th Gear reviews, both cars seemed impressive and well-liked, yet neither can be had in the US, despite the fact that Ford is an American company.

People in America would never pay $24-30.6k for a focus and $30K for a 2.0L 4 banger and $50k for a top trim mondeo.

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
Yeah, I prefer the styling on the asian camry, but is it really the same car? Remember that the Accord sold in North America is specific only to this continent, and the "Accord" sold everywhere else is a completely different car. I don't know if that applies to the Camry or not.

It's identical, the front and rear fascias are different but apart from that, the bodies are actually identical and share basically interchangeable panels.

 

[sniperruff]

well, we do get the awesome looking altima so i'd say it's ok our earlier maxima's look like crap (it's been slightly improved now)

http://www.theautochannel.com/.../10/07/246806.3-lg.jpg

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: mwmorph

Originally posted by: 996GT2
It seems like a lot of the foreign makers reserve some of their best cars for domestic distribution only (JDM CTR, DC5 ITR, Skyline GT-R, etc).

I'm sure US makers do the same to some extent as well, but...on the other hand, they sometimes seem to do just the opposite. For example, two well-received Ford models (the Focus RS and new Mondeo) are nowhere to be found in the states. From watching Top Gear and 5th Gear reviews, both cars seemed impressive and well-liked, yet neither can be had in the US, despite the fact that Ford is an American company.

People in America would never pay $24-30.6k for a focus and $30K for a 2.0L 4 banger and $50k for a top trim mondeo.

Where did you get $50k?

I just checked on Ford's European site, and MSRP for a well-equipped Mondeo is somewhere in the 17000 pounds range. That's LESS than the base MSRP for a Euro-spec Honda CR-V (which is basically identical to the US version from reading the specs). Even the top-trim Mondeo ST220 is only about 22,000 pounds. If Ford could introduce the Mondeo to the US and keep the Euro/American pricing difference about the same as Honda, then the Mondeo would carry an MSRP in the 20-30k range...definitely not high enough to make it uncompetitive.

That's just for the Mondeo...it's a pretty similar case for the Focus ST, which has an MSRP of about 18,000 pounds.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: 996GT2

Originally posted by: mwmorph

Originally posted by: 996GT2
It seems like a lot of the foreign makers reserve some of their best cars for domestic distribution only (JDM CTR, DC5 ITR, Skyline GT-R, etc).

I'm sure US makers do the same to some extent as well, but...on the other hand, they sometimes seem to do just the opposite. For example, two well-received Ford models (the Focus RS and new Mondeo) are nowhere to be found in the states. From watching Top Gear and 5th Gear reviews, both cars seemed impressive and well-liked, yet neither can be had in the US, despite the fact that Ford is an American company.

People in America would never pay $24-30.6k for a focus and $30K for a 2.0L 4 banger and $50k for a top trim mondeo.

Where did you get $50k?

I just checked on Ford's European site, and MSRP for a well-equipped Mondeo is somewhere in the 17000 pounds range. That's LESS than the base MSRP for a Euro-spec Honda CR-V (which is basically identical to the US version from reading the specs). Even the top-trim Mondeo ST220 is only about 22,000 pounds. If Ford could introduce the Mondeo to the US and keep the Euro/American pricing difference about the same as Honda, then the Mondeo would carry an MSRP in the 20-30k range...definitely not high enough to make it uncompetitive.

That's just for the Mondeo...it's a pretty similar case for the Focus ST, which has an MSRP of about 18,000 pounds.

artificially inflated due to currency exchange rates.

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: 996GT2

Originally posted by: mwmorph

Originally posted by: 996GT2
It seems like a lot of the foreign makers reserve some of their best cars for domestic distribution only (JDM CTR, DC5 ITR, Skyline GT-R, etc).

I'm sure US makers do the same to some extent as well, but...on the other hand, they sometimes seem to do just the opposite. For example, two well-received Ford models (the Focus RS and new Mondeo) are nowhere to be found in the states. From watching Top Gear and 5th Gear reviews, both cars seemed impressive and well-liked, yet neither can be had in the US, despite the fact that Ford is an American company.

People in America would never pay $24-30.6k for a focus and $30K for a 2.0L 4 banger and $50k for a top trim mondeo.

Where did you get $50k?

I just checked on Ford's European site, and MSRP for a well-equipped Mondeo is somewhere in the 17000 pounds range. That's LESS than the base MSRP for a Euro-spec Honda CR-V (which is basically identical to the US version from reading the specs). Even the top-trim Mondeo ST220 is only about 22,000 pounds. If Ford could introduce the Mondeo to the US and keep the Euro/American pricing difference about the same as Honda, then the Mondeo would carry an MSRP in the 20-30k range...definitely not high enough to make it uncompetitive.

That's just for the Mondeo...it's a pretty similar case for the Focus ST, which has an MSRP of about 18,000 pounds.

What is this "only" you're talking about? 18K GBP is equal to $35,593.20 USD. I have a lot better options at $35.6K like Evos and Stis and base Corvettes.

I'm not really sure what the true price difference is, but you have to remember many cars in europe are different from their domestic cousins in equipment level, engines, suspensions, etc.

At a litte less than 2/3 the price, the Focus ST is worth it, but do you really believe Ford can build a car like that, at the same level of performance and equipment and sell it at 33% off MSRP across the Atlantic?

Even if it was only 3/4 the price of the euro focus, it wouldn't sell at all. No one in America wants a $26.7K 220hp 0-60 in 6.5-6.8s(SLOW at this price) FWD Focus when at that price, 350Zs and whatnot are in the same price range and a much, much more inexpensive Mazdaspeed 3, VW GTI or Civic Si provide the same performance level.

Also, lets not forget that translated price is BASE, no options, no GPS, I mean Americans expect at the very least that DVD GPS system is such a expensive compact car. A Si can be had with GPS for $24K. That and the ranges goes up to $39,735.85 for the ST3 5 door hatch means that the euro focus just commands too much of a price premium.

Americans are used to big, cheap cars. We expect to get a lot more for our money than apparently the British.

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: mwmorph

Originally posted by: 996GT2

Originally posted by: mwmorph

Originally posted by: 996GT2
It seems like a lot of the foreign makers reserve some of their best cars for domestic distribution only (JDM CTR, DC5 ITR, Skyline GT-R, etc).

I'm sure US makers do the same to some extent as well, but...on the other hand, they sometimes seem to do just the opposite. For example, two well-received Ford models (the Focus RS and new Mondeo) are nowhere to be found in the states. From watching Top Gear and 5th Gear reviews, both cars seemed impressive and well-liked, yet neither can be had in the US, despite the fact that Ford is an American company.

People in America would never pay $24-30.6k for a focus and $30K for a 2.0L 4 banger and $50k for a top trim mondeo.

Where did you get $50k?

I just checked on Ford's European site, and MSRP for a well-equipped Mondeo is somewhere in the 17000 pounds range. That's LESS than the base MSRP for a Euro-spec Honda CR-V (which is basically identical to the US version from reading the specs). Even the top-trim Mondeo ST220 is only about 22,000 pounds. If Ford could introduce the Mondeo to the US and keep the Euro/American pricing difference about the same as Honda, then the Mondeo would carry an MSRP in the 20-30k range...definitely not high enough to make it uncompetitive.

That's just for the Mondeo...it's a pretty similar case for the Focus ST, which has an MSRP of about 18,000 pounds.

What is this "only" you're talking about? 18K GBP is equal to $35,593.20 USD. I have a lot better options at $35.6K like Evos and Stis and base Corvettes.

I'm not really sure what the true price difference is, but you have to remember many cars in europe are different from their domestic cousins in equipment level, engines, suspensions, etc.

At a litte less than 2/3 the price, the Focus ST is worth it, but do you really believe Ford can build a car like that, at the same level of performance and equipment and sell it at 33% off MSRP across the Atlantic?

Even if it was only 3/4 the price of the euro focus, it wouldn't sell at all. No one in America wants a $26.7K 220hp 0-60 in 6.5-6.8s(SLOW at this price) FWD Focus when at that price, 350Zs and whatnot are in the same price range and a much, much more inexpensive Mazdaspeed 3, VW GTI or Civic Si provide the same performance level.

Also, lets not forget that translated price is BASE, no options, no GPS, I mean Americans expect at the very least that DVD GPS system is such a expensive compact car. A Si can be had with GPS for $24K. That and the ranges goes up to $39,735.85 for the ST3 5 door hatch means that the euro focus just commands too much of a price premium.

Americans are used to big, cheap cars. We expect to get a lot more for our money than apparently the British.

I remember hearing the prices of the cars mentioned on Top Gear and thinking dollars. Then I noticed it was pounds and after checking the exchange rates I was pretty surprised at how expensive cars were. I figured Brits might make more money than we do so I guessed it balanced out. Gas is also more over there not too mention all those congestion charges they pay and all the friggin' taxes. I think this is because England is so crowded they are trying to make people use more public transportation. It's pretty interesting the different dynamics between that side of the pond and over here.

 

[warmodder]

You should see Buicks in China. They're the status symbol car and they look the part too. Not so for the US.

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: warmodder
You should see Buicks in China. They're the status symbol car and they look the part too. Not so for the US.

Buick's smart pricing strategy which below Toyota car has make them number one sellers simply because they are inexpensive, hardly "status symbol"

You must think Chinese not well informed about global trend?

 

[warmodder]

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

Originally posted by: warmodder
You should see Buicks in China. They're the status symbol car and they look the part too. Not so for the US.

Buick's smart pricing strategy which below Toyota car has make them number one sellers simply because they are inexpensive, hardly "status symbol"

You must think Chinese not well informed about global trend?

Nope, you're wrong. It's fairly hard to believe though.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12801549/

 

[TimeKeeper]

Originally posted by: warmodder

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

Originally posted by: warmodder
You should see Buicks in China. They're the status symbol car and they look the part too. Not so for the US.

Buick's smart pricing strategy which below Toyota car has make them number one sellers simply because they are inexpensive, hardly "status symbol"

You must think Chinese not well informed about global trend?

Nope, you're wrong. It's fairly hard to believe though.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12801549/

It doesn't say much, does it?
And I was right about the number one in sales, but for $17000, it is hardly a "status symbol", price to compete w/ Corolla only, where Carmy starting at $23000

 

[warmodder]

GM went right to the top in targeting the consumer it wanted to reach: the rich. Its goal was to establish Buick as the dream car for every Chinese driver.

The emperor owned 2 of them. Maybe status to them isn't about price?

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: warmodder

Originally posted by: TimeKeeper

Originally posted by: warmodder
You should see Buicks in China. They're the status symbol car and they look the part too. Not so for the US.

Buick's smart pricing strategy which below Toyota car has make them number one sellers simply because they are inexpensive, hardly "status symbol"

You must think Chinese not well informed about global trend?

Nope, you're wrong. It's fairly hard to believe though.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12801549/

well, i'm from china and last time i checked their status symbols are lexus LS and mercedes S-class.