Re: European Car Sales in the US
Adam_Rodnitzky@ACML.COM
Fri, 2 Jul 1999 10:34:30 -0400
That is a good point. Although I think the primary consideration is still the
product that is being sold. During '90/'91, VW, Audi, and Saab's product lines
consisted largely of older models - granted, VW had the newer Passat (but still
the old Golf/Jetta), Audi the 80/90 (compared to the 5000-based 100/200), and
Saab the 9000 (and the ancient 900) - but Volvo was just coming out with the
850, BMW the new 3-series, and even Alfa had new product with the 164. Granted,
Peugeot had the 405, but by '91 reliability issues were clearly apparent in the
market. The 406 was/is clearly superior, and with the combination of strong
company management, and strong brand management in the US, could likely have
been a hit.
PEUGEOTSW@aol.com on 07/02/99 09:57:29 AM
To: Adam Rodnitzky/New York/ACMC, peugeot-l@egroups.com
cc:
Subject: Re: European Car Sales in the US
I agree with your comparisons to a point. In each case you mentioned, VW,
AUDI, SAAB (Volvo, Jaguar, Rolls, MB not mentioned but assumed to be up in
sales as well), there was a seachange in leadership. VW and AUDi have an
aggressive leadership team that made it happen and SAAB got a big boost from
GM in dollars and marketing. It would have been one thing for Peugeot to
remain in the US, but it never would have never prospered without the kind of
leadership that VW now has. Success is more than just great cars. I dont
see that at Peugeot SA.
Mort