Re: What SINGLE factor MOST contributed to the demise of Packard?

Posted by Mr.Pushbutton  On 2013/10/18 11:37:35

Mercedes has always been sold at a premium here in the US, above and beyond the costs of getting the product from Germany to the US (before they opened plants here). They also leave their cheap, small models at home and only sell the upper tier cars here.
I believe a big factor driving their mystique here and their sales they are currently enjoying is the fact that the two leading American Luxury brands of the last 40 years, Cadillac and Lincoln

a) cheapened their products to the extent they start $600-ing you to death after the warranty is up, like their other sister brands and:

b) Cadillac and Lincoln let customers into the fold who weren't really qualified luxury car buyers, by using the parent company's finance arm (GMAC, Ford Credit) to make the astounding numbers they have racked up since WWII. They sold their soul to make big numbers and in the end alienated the customers who really could afford a fine car. Those buyers now look at Mercedes, and to the same extent Lexus as having the exclusivity they want to keep company with.

I am starting to see ghetto Mercedes and Lexus (and Bimmers)', so I wonder where to next for the ruling class?