When will the new RAV-4 be released?
11-12-18, 11:47 AM
#61
Lexus Champion
That's part of what drove a large part of the American public, though, back in the 1980s, away from Detroit and into the arms of Japanese manufacturers, particularly Toyota and Honda (see my post above on the Chevy Citation). People heard nothing but hype in the media, auto-press, and from GM for months, and then, when the cars were released, those people got seriously burned. Same with Chrysler and Omni/Horizon and later K-cars, when Lee Iacocca took over. Ford also had problems, but didn't tend to hype their vehicles as much.
Yes, you can argue that that was 30 or 40 years ago, but to some extent at least, the principle today has not changed very much.
Yes, you can argue that that was 30 or 40 years ago, but to some extent at least, the principle today has not changed very much.
11-12-18, 11:49 AM
#62
Lexus Champion
In any case, the embargo on the RAV4 lifts on the 20th. Surely we can make it for 8 more days.
Last edited by JDR76; 11-12-18 at 11:58 AM.
11-12-18, 02:10 PM
#63
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I would argue it was the crappy cars and not the fact that there was media hype on them. There has been (and always will be) media hype on good vehicles as well as bad. After all, it is the manufacturers job to sell and market cars and trucks and this is all just a part of that.
You won't get a single word of argument from me on that. But, what made it worse is that millions of people got stuck with those crappy cars after months of hype from the manufacturers and the fact that even some of the auto press was duped.Car & Driver Magazine, for instance (which I'm sure many of you read, as I did at the time), later admitted they were fooled. GM sent them a press-fleet of Citation/Phoenix/Omega/Skylark X-Body compacts that had been carefully built to exacting standards that the average production line wouldn't see, tires partially-shaved to imitate a break-in, engines tuned to different standards, and suspension tweaks all designed to make the vehicles appear better than they would actually be during production. So C&D themselves basically joined in the hype....and later apologized to their own readers, many (including myself) who ended up with lemons.
I know we're getting off-topic, though......the new RAV-4. Fortunately, automotive quality control (especially Toyota's) has come a long way since the dark Detroit days of 1980. Unfortunately, corporate marketing hasn't.
11-15-18, 10:12 AM
#64
it is just pictures... UX is one size but not class lower... Rav4 starts $10k less than UX, materials are cheaper for sure.
UX shifter looks really good close up... then you will have people complaining why is it nicer than RX shifter, lol. Cant win on internet.
I am glad Toyota made Rav4 interior that does not look like crap... 4.3 had it, 4.4 failed miserably, but it is not going to be a Lexus interior even at $35k+ that some of Rav4's will go for.
UX shifter looks really good close up... then you will have people complaining why is it nicer than RX shifter, lol. Cant win on internet.
I am glad Toyota made Rav4 interior that does not look like crap... 4.3 had it, 4.4 failed miserably, but it is not going to be a Lexus interior even at $35k+ that some of Rav4's will go for.
11-20-18, 07:00 AM
#66
This things will sell like hot cakes, I have no doubt. I think the hybrid sells will jump significantly with its estimated 41 city mpg, but averaging 39 mpg and only costing $800 more than the equally equipped gas model.
11-20-18, 07:20 AM
#68
Lexus Fanatic
I think the new Rav looks great. Watched a video about it this morning. Especially the interior IMHO is a huge improvement in material quality. Styling it keeps its lane as more "rugged" looking than other entries which is fine IMHO. Might not be my choice if I were buying in that segment, but its nice to have options with different personalities.
11-20-18, 07:22 AM
#69
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I didn't know the embargo was lifted last night. I might (?) have said something.
I'll be looking for King Alex's review, but, of course, also doing my own. Still no sign of any at local Toyota shops here. I don't quite understand the December release, though, in the Holiday Season
.....Lexus also did the same thing with a couple of its recent SUV introductions. Although some people do buy vehicles during this time (Lexus, of course, has the gift-wrap promotion for their Holiday sales event), the vast majority do not, being tied up with traditional Holiday shopping and gifts instead.
11-20-18, 07:24 AM
#70
Lexus Fanatic
Alex's review was posted. Calling him "King Alex" is kinda weird...
Anyways...in terms of embargoes, they do embargoes to control the press flow for the roll out, and so they can serve the motoring press equally and fairly. Imagine how big a PITA it would be if you have press members all clamoring to see a new car first if you were the manufacturer?
Anyways...in terms of embargoes, they do embargoes to control the press flow for the roll out, and so they can serve the motoring press equally and fairly. Imagine how big a PITA it would be if you have press members all clamoring to see a new car first if you were the manufacturer?
11-20-18, 07:53 AM
#71
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
No idolatry here LOL. I just like the guy, and consider him the best and most thorough reviewer I've seen yet. Doug Demuro is also good in some areas. I also like Motorweek's John Davis....a nice guy with good temperament (I used to see him at the D.C. Show, but he hasn't been there for the last few years)...but the show-slots don't really give him enough time to do a thorough review from stem to stern....it usually just a five-minute quickie. Wouldn't be surprised if John decides to call it a retirement soon......he's been reviewing for around 40 years.
11-20-18, 08:04 AM
#73
Lexus Champion
I don't quite understand the December release, though, in the Holiday Season .....Lexus also did the same thing with a couple of its recent SUV introductions. Although some people do buy vehicles during this time (Lexus, of course, has the gift-wrap promotion for their Holiday sales event), the vast majority do not, being tied up with traditional Holiday shopping and gifts instead.
.....Lexus also did the same thing with a couple of its recent SUV introductions. Although some people do buy vehicles during this time (Lexus, of course, has the gift-wrap promotion for their Holiday sales event), the vast majority do not, being tied up with traditional Holiday shopping and gifts instead.
11-20-18, 08:07 AM
#74
Pole Position
No idolatry here LOL. I just like the guy, and consider him the best and most thorough reviewer I've seen yet. Doug Demuro is also good in some areas. I also like Motorweek's John Davis....a nice guy with good temperament (I used to see him at the D.C. Show, but he hasn't been there for the last few years)...but the show-slots don't really give him enough time to do a thorough review from stem to stern....it usually just a five-minute quickie. Wouldn't be surprised if John decides to call it a retirement soon......he's been reviewing for around 40 years.
11-20-18, 09:04 AM
#75
Lexus Fanatic