Toys4RJill

Then why would you even mention of bring up the MR2? I doubt anyone on here would even consider the MR2 as remotely prestigious. It's almost pointless to bring it up.

JDR76

As an example of the difference between prestige and desirable. Was that not clear?

I would say the same about your comment that the IS is not a prestigious car. No one said it was. So why did you bring it up?

Toys4RJill

Ok all good.

JDR76

Have a good day, Jill.

bagwell

yep, this is one reason why I don't like BMW, 3 series in particular.....dime a dozen.....I just see too many.

Nextourer

As the question in the title? No, because you need a certain amount of visibility to get brand recognition. I don't see very many Jaguars or Audis and I'm starting to see fewer new Lexus models.

But as discussed within the thread, it can make a particular model less desirable because it's as common as a Camry. (Though that doesn't seem to be the problem for the outlier that is the Model S in Silicon Valley).

Here, BMW and MB and Lexus are a dime a dozen. You see fewer Infinitis and Audis (A4s and Q3s are the most common). Also, it's a boom-bust cycle which says to me that a lot of the models are leased. You see them for 3-4 years then they all disappear (No idea where they go... maybe exported to other cities or provinces).

Also recently, I've noticed fewer variety of luxury brand car models. I wonder if the economy means people are just playing it safe (leasing 3 series and C-Classes rather than branching out and trying other models because they'll have less desirable lease rates and promos).

In Canada, Lexus has maintained a higher MSRP. Even in 2009 after the market adjustment when the CAD was going up towards parity with the USD, manufacturers were dropping their MSRP to reflect the exchange rate and market rate (They were losing sales to U.S. imports. Why buy a Cdn$31,000 base Prius when you can buy a USD$21,000 base Prius, pay the 6.1% import tax and still come out thousands ahead or better yet, buy a Made In the US Camry or Made in Canada RX and avoid the 6.1% duty), Lexus Canada didn't drop their price by much to maintain the value of the vehicles.

Here's a counterpoint:


If the developed world is getting wealthier and more people can afford more expensive things (which will result in higher sales), does *that* make something less desirable or does that mean luxury good manufacturers have to raise prices to maintain that level of desirability?

TangoRed

No, not at all. However time and time again if I'm presented with 2 equally good options for a car I'll choose the one less seen on the streets.

pman6

*looks at bmw*

NOPE

Gojirra99

To OP , not necessarily, but a luxury brand with their high end models looking too much like their low end models will make the high end models less prestigious .....

mmarshall

...........or, in some cases, make the low-end models more prestigious.

GQD_GS4

High sales numbers of a lux brand lowers exclusivity, and to me makes something less desirable. If everyone had the same high end cars that i have, then i would trade mine in for something more exclusive like a Gallardo or F430. I like having unique cars.

Gojirra99

I don't find any of the low end German luxury brand cars prestigious at all, they are EVERYWHERE

mmarshall

Well, that's why I said in some cases. Sometimes a good-looking flagship will give a better image to lesser models that look like it....and vice-versa.