Basically there are two groups of cars. There is the Ford, Mercury and Lincoln. Then there is the Chevy, GMC, Saturn, Cadillac, and Pontiac. Both groups have cars which look very much alike.
Ford Fusion looks like the Lincoln MKZ, and the Chevy Tahoe looks like the GMC Yukon. Ford trucks and Lincoln trucks look almost the same. Same thing with GMC and Chevy trucks. Some vehicles even share the same interiors, with just one or two things moved around.
I don’t really get why anyone would pay for a Lincoln or Mercury, when Ford has almost the same cars at a lower price. I also don’t get why anyone buys a Mercury. Where does Buick fit in, and who actually buys Pontiac?
There is so much overlap. 3 or 4 cars with the same style are fighting for the same market. I guess it doesn’t matter if one buys a Ford or a Mercury, money goes to the same company.
The base may be the same, but each brand then makes the car its own. Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave are based on essentially the same platform, but Buick will be the more luxurious, Saturn will be the most base and Acadia is some where in the middle. Same with Ford (base), Mercury (mid) and Lincoln (high end). Pontiac will take the same thing and make it more sporty and the tuning/suspension will be different than Buick or Chevy.
This thing is not just limited to US companies. Many Audi and VW models share engines, transmission and chassis. Mazda CX-7 and Ford Edge are practically cousins. Same dimensions. Mazda does its own thing by making it sporty and fun to drive. Ford takes the more mainstream route and produces for mass market.
We view cars a little more than a way to increase our mobility. They are a statement, a way of life etc. If you look at it in this context, brand has power, even they all have the same base.
Have you ever talked to a Ford 150 guy about Chevy Silverado? To someone like me it's just another truck but for them its about honor, history blah blah.
Do you think people who drive a BMW do so because they think it is the most efficient, comfortable safe care out there? No, they drive it cos it gives them an ego boast! Just like the guy driving a Prius is saying, look at me, I am green and $ wise.
Do you think people who drive a BMW do so because they think it is the most efficient, comfortable safe care out there? No, they drive it cos it gives them an ego boast!
While I generally agree with you that brand names influence buying decisions, same as a specs and other factors, however, to suggest that people buy BMW simply because it gives them an ego boost (not boast, btw) is selling it way short. BMW's are known for the superb handling, same as Lexus are known for their impressive interior design and phenomenal resale value. So there are definite driving and tangible reasons for people to go for certain brands.
And yes, Prius drivers for the most part, are arrogant tree-hugger schmucks, who are too smug even for their own good. :D BTW, I'd have no problem with them, if they were not allowed to drive in the Carpool lanes, where they insist on driving at 55 mph, because that gives'em the best milage. Buggers!!
First group are Ford Brands, Second one is GM brands. You forgot Chrysler Brands i.e Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge
As Fiasal said that the base is same, even if sometime car looks different, they are built off the same platform. Like PT cruiser and Neon are same Platform (Chassis, Skeleton etc)
The reason is Marketing. Other than the fact that they appear as two different cars to normal consumers, manufacturers can sell the same cars through different dealerships.
When Neon was first released, it had 2 versions of the otherwise identical vehicle, DODGE NEON and PLYMOUTH NEON. Reson was so Chrysler can sell the same vehicle through Dodge dealerships as well as Plymouth dealerships
Whether you are a 3-series driver or a 1-series driver, BMW's handling is just superb plus its silky smooth inline 6's. Its hard to put a value to this when you compare it to more legroom, more standard features and more horsepower of, say, a Lexus or an Infiniti. Buyers are not stupid, and people put different premiums on different aspects of a car. Definitely brand name plays an important part as well, as do some other intangibles.
Naa... you're too nice. Buyers for the most part are stupid: They buy on impulse, for status, and because some sexy girl at work thinks BMWs are "luxurious", "cool", and "expensive". A very small portion of consumers make rational purchases - hence the credit crunch.
I've come to believe consumers are inherently insecure and want their purchases to somehow compensate for their desired social status. The people that buy a barebone BMW 323 do it for the same reason people buy a stupid iPod shuffle. Wether it be buying a base BMW or base iPod, it has nothing to do with better handling or neater interface. It has everything to do with telling people you own a BMW and leaving out you couldn't afford real leather. What worries me the most is that BMW could come out with a $500 wicker basket tomorrow and someone would probably buy it.
