Suaviloquent
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Everything posted by Suaviloquent
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Again, the detractors of this car can't find any reasonable angle to dig against it other then preconceived notions of what luxury buyers want - which are of course a reflection of their own beliefs. And Lincoln has made it a point to NOT chase after those buyers, that are essentially badge sensitive. Honestly, like I can look for Lincoln to say it's the ultimate driving machine, but I'll always be left wanting because atleast Lincoln had the good fortune knowing its target buyer could not give a damn about what wheels turn which way other than the interior is tasty and the exterior is stylish, and it gets out of its own way. But the front and rear seats make it clear it might just be the ultimate car to sit in for its expected price structure.
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Well for Cadillac sales increases are larger because their total sales year over year are smaller compared to competitors. More than just making great cars - Cadillac has to improve its global prestige. I think making products that people want or want to associate with will net quick sales increases. But it may be at accords with keeping ATPs up (which again is propped up by Escalade sales in America; but can't be reproduced anywhere else and a dearth of sales for sedans compared to rivals) or having an original product mix. Cadillac should continue to do what it does best - catch up quickly in the segments where it isn't but can easily join, and maintain the differentiating factor in the segments where it is arguably the best in ride/handling. But that itself is a low priority at this point. More important is value built on that branding, built on the expectation of capability, not outward displays of it. Cadillac's biggest weakness is the lack of an emotional product for the global product line, like the LC500 or BMW i8 or the Audi R8 or the more accessible Audi A7. Something that is stylish, something that doesn't really have to sell, but something that projects the intentions of the brand as one being almost arrogant. These kinds of products are never profit-centers, atleast not initially.
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The Buick Avenir...WE HAD IT ON DISPLAY!!! CANADIAN PREMIER...WOOHOO!!! I think the Avenir also is one of these vehicles. The first time I saw it in pics I was wowed by it, but quickly got bored with it. But seeing it person, the Avenir has a certain elegance to it that pictures dont do justice. And its bigger than what it looks like in pictures. Anyway, the MKZ, if they could fix the odd back end, it might just become a great seller because the new front end makes it look that much more elegant and expensive. And if a new 3.0 ecoboosted 6 comes along with, what, 400 horsepower, it will definitely turn the tide. Wow...I have come full circle in accepting the MKZ...who knew? it's because you set your brand preferences aside and you judged the car fairly on its own merits, not on the recent history of the company. Lincoln's trying really hard to go back to what it did well in the past. The bungled MKS and MKT are vehicles they even know were terrible. By no means has the brand cleared any hurdles though. But again, I'll invite people to judge the vehicles fairly, like I invite folks to do for Genesis cars or any other brand that gets a barrage of misguided hatred. I have not seen the new MKZ in person though, so to me it's still the Jaudi XJz. But I'm glad to know that someone thought the car looked expensive. And part of being expensive - well you do have to look the part.
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Look, I'm guessing Ford is capable enough to put chassis bracing to increase torsional rigidity and the good stuffs. As luxury cars - the ones that are really just focused on luxury and effortless power, the Rolls Royces and the Bentleys of the world - the cars speak for themselves. And Ford Motor Company has among the best records recently of making front-drive performance cars that are really fun to drive. The whole premise of the car to exist is to not worry as much as what is underneath, other than just have the discreet understanding that whatever it is - it's the most diplomatic assumption of adequacy. It's 'understood' that the car must be powerful. Must be comfortable. And must be gas-guzzling, which thanks in no part to not having a V8, this shouldn't be too bad. What's really amusing is someone insinuating that this car is clumsy. People don't drive full-size sedans at the track. If they do, then well Lincoln can skip that unscrupulous buyer entirely and go for the meat that wants what it sees first and foremost to be exceptional, in a sense. The car speaks for itself, and that's something that I feel the CT6 fails to do as well, but it does well enough. For the CT6, I feel that the dealer will have to spout off all of its innovations like checking off a list to just get the person who just wants the Escalade anyways to even bat an eye. All the Lincoln dealer should do is, ask "Why don't you sit inside?" That will seal the deal. Let the car speak. And the Continental speaks - and some people really want to listen to it. Its not meant for the brand snob or cheerleaders. It is meant for people who still believe in old world luxury, and the kind that comes from America. I'm a wannabe enthusiast though, so I'm the exception, I can appreciate just how far Cadillac had to go to get the same impression. But it's clear to me that Lincoln has bigger balls because they're unyielding to the petty expectations of people who have no clue exactly what luxury buyers want - rather they only have conjecture of an archetypal customer that is salient to their own beliefs. Different customers have different needs. The day flagship sedans are auto-crossed or at Le Mans is the day that Cadillac's CT6 can actually shine. Also, I love how this car will be exported to China. I love that they're adamant to sell the car at a premium. They're building their brand, not chasing volume.
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What happens when Cadillac makes its CT6 sales-proof - or atleast a version of it? It's confirmed at C&D that the plug-in CT6 will be imported from China. Now, I'm okay with the Buick doing it, and okay with Cadillac doing it too. But I can't help but think that last thing a Cadillac sales rep wants to say about the plug-in to the customer (it'll prolly be special order due to uncooperative gas price) is that it's from China. Or even the fact that a version of it. Like really, no one's going to pay around $80k for a American Cadillac sedan made in China. I wouldn't. What happens when Chinese customers will be willing to pay through the roof for the Lincoln, because it won't be built there it'll be imported to China from America. Atleast one domestic company gets it right. What I'm saying is that Lincoln is going to continue to flip off the El Kabongs and SMKs of the world. And they're okay with that. That's their strategy. To "fire" the customers who weren't interested in the company to begin with. Smart companies don't try to be everything to everyone, because they end up being nothing to no one. Lincoln's going to make more money off of the Continental than people really appreciate, and they're going to do it without copying anyone.
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Was it really like a big-time debut thing where they dimmed the lights, and paraded the thing out? Or was it just: "here's the new thingamabobber!!! Oh yeah, everything else in this segment is a n00b!!!" "They are the weakest links. Goodbye!"
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Yeah, maybe some NBA star will personally be a vehicle sponsor for free. Like how Lebron James out of his own free will bought a Kia K900, was hella impressed with it, and then decided to give Kia free use of his name and brand to communicate his association with the K900. He even likes the Cadenza loaners he'd get. And this is a guy who'd use this car regularly among his rotation of daily drivers. And he must have more cars in his garage than there are days in a year. Full disclosure - you all know I'm not so hot for this, but I can see why it'll fulfill its mission. The Continental does not have to be some back road champion or even tuned on the Nurburgring like even how the Genesis branded cars are. Lincoln has a deep understanding of its customers - or the segment it wants to capture. They want luxury. By that I mean they want to be pampered, coddled. They want what others won't give them - peace, space, and grace. And they're doing it on the cheap. Which means their contribution margin on the Continental will be exceptional. They are creating value for their customer, and the value exchange is both ways, and they are not bending over or subsuming the archetypes of what 'enthusiasts' expect of the import brands. They're being a discreet, more old world style luxury car. And that is about creating dense vehicles. Basically imagine a first-class coach on a train. That's what the Conti is. or the finest hand-made American couch. Couches don't have to hustle around corners, they just need to look classy and feel buttery comfortable. They're doing what Johan said Cadillac should do, just as good, if not better here.
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Wings why are you on uber defense mode? Drew already said that the CT6 and Conti are about evenly matched given what you get with both, and what we know or expect the pricing structure to be for both. And Casa, it's okay, I'd buy the Camaro over the ATS or CT3 too. And not because I'd save a helluva lot of money AND get the better looking coupe, get a better infotainment system, but because you can get the same V8 as GM's performance flagship, and I could also be satisfied that more competent drivers than I could run circles around a V Series ATS or CT3.
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If the Continental can generate the same gravitas that Drew mentioned, then it's done it's job. The XTS with AWD and VSport is a pretty nice vehicle. And this should just build on even further, with the trick AWD system and genuinely nice interior, worthy of being in any luxury sedan of that size. Forget the personal subjective design preference - they have the materials locked down, and Mercedes would be envious, heck even Bentley would be wishing for 30 way power seats. May the Chinese Aristocrat get fully aroused, then thusly Lincoln's pedigree would be revived by a cross continent market. Maybe that's why they chose the Continental name.
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I would give extra credit marks to the following vehicles. Fusion. Bump it to B. I'll give credit for Ford realizing a sale lost on Lincoln is better captured by Ford one way or another. And they're the de facto performance leader in their segment now, and the platinum level interior is capable of punching above its class. Plus I really like the way it looks, but that didn't factor in the extra marks I would give. Buick Avista: You don't get a grade. You get advanced placement, you're off to battle school, and your grades are so good you make the Xenocide, Ender Wiggin, irrelevant. This is a car that would, quite frankly, upset the power balance in the GM portfolio, and a car like this would really shake Cadillac ATS to the bone. Lexus LC-500 - 100% completion. It's a concept car that is the production car. I can't believe Lexus had the guts to build it. It's an irrational car for an utterly rational brand. Besides, they are going against some exclusive competition too. This is an example for Cadillac. It's one of those cars I would actually buy if I had the money. And if it is utterly superior to anything else, especially that beautiful peanut butter interior, no nationalist buying criteria will bail out something from the home team. I'll go full sellout and get myself thrown out of the country. Lincoln Continental - B+ I don't want to like this car, and I really kind of don't, but every time I see it... I think for once Lincoln has a deep understanding of what its customers want. Lincoln cannot possibly serve its customers as the "me too" sporty sedan. It can't. They've figured out that having ultra-luxury level features such as 30 way power seats, hi-fi Harman Audio, liberal use of cow-hide is their way forward. They put their money into a fine interior when they didn't have the money for an exclusive platform. That's probably a smart thing to do, customers look at the inside and exterior more than the dirty underneath bits. Building relationships with their customers - that is important too. Serve the customer. I'll call it the 'be the Butler strategy.' The Raptor- It's just a pass/fail option for this car. And it passes because its only competition are concepts from these days and days past. Everything else I agree with William's grades assignments.
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It's a much smaller vehicle now. It's tweener sized like the Sorento. That's actually a very handy size for most folks who want space, but want it downsized and wants the looks. And it does looks much more like an SUV than like a Highlander or Pilot. The interior looks better than those in the real life photos too. And if the customer wants bigger, more luxurious looking, but less professional grade, there is the incoming Enclave that will probably be a Cadillac level CUV, atleast I hope for the interior.
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Do you have pictures? Are you allowed to post them? Did you get to sit in it?
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Ford's Performance Strategy is shaping up pretty nicely. They're not making hyper competitive sports cars, but they're building value by having a true performance-oriented trim of every vehicle they make. The Explorer is kind of a barge, so the only way to make it better is to make it faster, not handle better. But this thing. No one can answer to it. No one is even willing to try.
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Yeah video-gamers don't, but Mercedes puts out so many concepts because they can - and they want to shape their image as a company that can do whatever it wants. ...but then it relegates itself to the calculated company trying to squeeze the living hell out of their margins by perfecting the game of how to make a hot dog longer and wider, and being able to the deliver to the customer differentiated franks... Well, I thought the Lexus LF-LC was a one and done. I didn't think they were actually capable of following through. They surprised everybody. Even the choice of camo on the mules hid the vehicle's look really well. It's a home run - it's the equivalent to the boisterous S-Class coupe or the El Miraj that never was.
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Well, I guess the question is where do they draw the line between the production model and something that is meant to race? It's extremely capable, but I don't think Ford in any way wants to sanction dangerous operation of this vehicle, even in the hands of professional drivers. We've seen the reckless videos of the previous Raptor plastered all over. Making it too capable for the target audience would be a waste on the part of Ford and would compromise the underlying vehicle - a truck. Nor can this thing be priced ridiculously if it was even more focused, like close to a cool $100k. But Ford doesn't have to go all the way, because no one is really attempting to go head on with Ford here.
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I just felt that the recent GM concepts have been vehicles that are feasible to build right now. It's not like the whacky Mercedes vision concepts that end up in video-games, which is actually part of how Daimler likes to build up the image of Mercedes. I can't find a single fault with either the El Miraj or the Buick Avista. They're so compelling, and they can be built. I love them. They blow my mind more than anything else, and the only equal to that is the LC 500 or the Ford GT perhaps even. But this shows that even GM's resources are finite. They just can't build everything they want, and throwing the kitchen sink to see if something sticks isn't wise either.
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If they were truly shameless - they'd have put the Tundra in as well because it towed the space shuttle... Ah it's just a nit-pick that shouldn't even exist. Yes, it's one of the most compelling product placements I've seen in a long time....
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They're going to have more trim choices than just the blue. I think a red/black interior combo like the Center Stage interior, with the red, white, or black exterior paint colours will just pop. I'm going to judge this car on its luxury feel quotient (such as interior materials, trim, ride quality and effortless driving) and forget about if it's going to be a canyon carver. The product pricing, it has to be right. It is a flagship sedan in size, so, I think for the right people, it's an excellent vehicle. The Genesis G90 has an epic interior too. But it's more in line with the rest of the cars in this size and price realm.
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Right?!?! I saw it last night during the college football championship game and was literally just impressed, all around. Gave props for the D3 leading the way and all. I know it is all just marketing but this made me want the truck to be a little more successful now. The head of Nissan's truck program is from RAM, so he must have had a hand in creating the right image for it. I think that kind of 'very honest' truck marketing communications is something that works really well here, just like Ram.
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But if the rest of the industry is also doing boring and predictable style... while Lexus is taking real chances, and Cadillac made and Buick is probably making concepts that aren't headed to production... Then I don't know why anyone is so stringent towards Lincoln's styling. Really. Was anyone really wowed at how the new 7 Series looks? Or the E-Class. The CT6 - many people in the media, such as Johnny Lieberman from MT, didn't like it as a revelation in styling. The driving will be. But not how it looks. Okay, I know that Lincoln has to go above and beyond. But it seems like everyone else is getting a free pass for underperforming styling wise. While the only luxury brand that really seems to take a styling risk, actually alienating potential buyers, is being told to go back to the drawing board on the forums. A lot of conflicting logic, is what I'm trying to point out. Full disclosure - I'm still more partial to the CT6. But it doesn't leave out the possibility that the Continental won't drive well, or well enough for its stated purpose. And it delivered the concept interior - to the liking or chagrin of some folks - but atleast they delivered something.
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Dude... that commercial. The feels man, they good. I like how they actually give a nod to Chevy, Ford and Dodge.
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Well it's not as though the car is facing stiff competition in terms of exterior styling. The RLX is just a mess. And the XTS, sure it looks like Art and Science, but its comes off as bloated.. and surprising, for being a big car, this one isn't. The Lacrosse is truly good looking. But it doesn't offer the full interior package, at least the one that is straight from the concept in the Lincoln. Others call the Genesis G90 as derivative, okay... And the E-Class is same sausage different length. Ditto for the rest of the Germans. And most of the publication media was harsh on the styling of the CT6, because it just wasn't what the El Miraj Concept set the expectations at. But I like it, but not more than that the Continental. There's only one car in this auto show that does it right in terms of pure full execution of the concept - it's the LC 500. Hey man, different strokes for different folks, and I respect your opinion of it. I can see why it some people would not like the continental interior. I'm guessing Rhapsody Blue isn't to your liking. What would you like to see instead, though?
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Another shot from C&D. It looks just like the concept interior with the blue black-label package. Since the Mercedes logo is in the background... What would you think if this interior was from a Mercedes. Just a question borne out of curiosity, I'm not sure what I'd say, but I can for sure state that it is exactly like the interior shown in the concept. Everything is either blue or aluminum/metallic trim.
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Well, I'm very happy to see that they kept the best part from the concept. Seriously, very slick and I feel original interior!!
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I don't understand why this vehicle has to weigh less than the porkers that are the 650i or Mercedes SLC coupe. And it's debuting an all-new platform. And it looks slick. I know styling is purely subjective, but the surface treatments, innovative use of lighting elements and just the lickable interior in terms of materials - it's mighty fine.
