John,

It's great that you like shoeboxes on wheels, or was that a bread box, I don't recall, but keep in mind some of of us don't. Some of us might think that having a 2-ton business end of a remington bearing down on someone is kind of cool.

It's just too bad that Porsche couldn't get the kind of positive reviews for the Cayenne that FX45 and T-Reg are getting as it might create more demand and actually "sell out" the car in reality not in marketing-speak terms....

 

"I think the FX45 is every bit as ugly as the Cayenne."

Anir takes a lesson from British auto journalism!

I did notice Infiniti is on a full court marketing press with the FX series. We had poster-sized glossy inserts in our San Francisco newspapers. It's the kind of ad spend that could provoke a nice review. Not that I disagree with most points in the article but... it does make you wonder.

MC

 

For clarity, I'm assuming the NYT ran the same FX ad blitz that our SF Chronicle and SJ Mercury News ran.

 

I also find it pretty humorous that the Touareg is doing so well. I spoke to a VW dealer and he didn't expect any on his lot until May or June <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

So the Cayenne will be officially introduced in a couple of weeks, the Touareg in a few months. Seems strange that VW is getting so much good press with the intro so far off still.

I don't think the NY Times article is going to make ANY difference for the Porsche. VERY few people considering the Cayenne are shopping Infinity as well. The FX may rule the $40-45k SUV range but it is a one trick pony when compared to the Cayenne and, I really don't see them as occupying the same niche.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by H20NOO:
<strong>Anir takes a lesson from British auto journalism!MC</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">MC,

<img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />

Hope that didn't come across as too rude.

Ken's comment to John applies to me as well. I definitely like breadboxes on wheels when it comes to trucks. Give me right angles, baby (in my best Vitale voice) - Go Cats!!!.

 

Anir

That would be the Northwestern WildCATS, right?

Two weeks to The Madness -- Woo-Hoo

 

Brent,

A few MONTHS ago I read an SUV comparison in Car & Driver, R&T or Motor Trend and they awarded the Touareg 1st overall. I was so impressed with their review I drove to my local VW dealer and asked when they were coming in. He said "Too-Rag? That's not a Volkswagen offering." and proceeded to explain that he was unaware of a new VW SUV that was scheduled to hit the showroom floor in '03. He asked the sales manager and he shrugged his shoulders and said he hadn't heard anything either. Then they began to work me over for a EuroVan. I couldn't believe it.

MC

 

Anir,

No offense whatsoever! I have a long distinguished history of buying vehicles with "controversial" styling. My last motorcyle was a KTM Duke II. I loved the look by my affection for the styling put me in the minority!

Now I'm considering the new Duke 950. That's another model with "progressive" styling...

Maybe I just like attention!

MC

 

Yet another Datsun thread.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Rob in WA:
<strong>Yet another Datsun thread. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Rob,

If you'll read between the lines, you'll note that this is really a thread about b-ball, thinly veiled behind banter about ugly crossover vehicles.

 

ahhhh... basketball shoeboxes... now it's all making sense.

 

Brent,

I disagree that people won't cross shop the FX45 and the Cayenne S. We did, and we chose the FX45. Now I don't think the FX35 will get shopped against the Cayenne S, more likely the BMW X5.

And while I concur that no single article about the FX45 or Cayenne will likely sell or not sell a car, a combination of articles, reviews, tv spots, etc. will have some effect, otherwise we'd be saying that all marketing is a waste wouldn't we?

Speaking of the FX, Infiniti sponsors the television broadcasts for the best conference in college basketball, the Big 12. If you can get Big 12 games in your area you can see the latest commercials, some of which are so-so, but there are a couple that are pretty good and really show off the FX. Is Porsche doing anything during March Madness???

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Ken2KS:
<strong>the best conference in college basketball, the Big 12.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Ahem, you meant the SEC, didn't you?

Go Big Blue! Let's take it..all..the...way!

Down here, we've got the Cats, bourbon, and thoroughbreds. Makes for an interesting combination.

 

Ken

"Is Porsche doing anything during March Madness???"

They are racing at Sebring, and I still think it's madness they aren't racing for an overall win.

As to ads, they did run some during the first weekend of the tournament the last couple of years.

 

Kevin

"ahhhh... basketball shoeboxes... now it's all making sense. "