Lots of Luxury, But What Price...Exclusivity?

Luxury-brand vehicles take a much bigger slice of the U.S. market than they did a few years ago. They now represent well over 10 percent of total sales, the share having almost doubled in the past decade, according to the Power Information Network.

Mainly that's because more nameplates than ever are classified as "luxury."

In 2000, Power counted 59 luxury nameplates and 13 luxury brands -- ranging from Acura to Volvo. This year there are 14 brands (Hummer was added) and 85 nameplates. (We're leaving out the superluxury makes: Ferrari, Rolls, Bentley, etc.)







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Larry - 12/19/2006 4:57:56 PM

-5 Boost

Audi the wine and chesse VW brand, maker of fancy jettas and rebadged beetles, is not exclusive.

chewy - 12/19/2006 5:39:48 PM

-4 Boost

You are too funny. There must be a million idiots that buy Audis each year. You probably laugh at everysingle one of them.

GS450h - 12/19/2006 5:01:22 PM

+3 Boost

Oh boy. Let the flame wars rage on....

hkaudi - 12/20/2006 8:34:03 AM

+2 Boost

Okay .... I notice that Lexus fans in this board like to target Audi fans but why?!

Cut the stupid flame war guys ~ Audi built good cars and that is the fact, their sales are rising are all people driving them stupid? Is also a known fact that Audi made in the late 80s are staggeringly bad, we own couple of them back then and there are tons of electrical problems, with them.

The A4 I am currently driving amazed me, I like it a lot is reliable and well built, much more improved than those old Audis.

My point is don't be bias that is not the point of this board.

GermanNut - 12/19/2006 5:28:51 PM

+4 Boost

Audi may not be exclusive to Larry, but there certainly are millions of people around the world who consider Audi an exclusive brand.

Larry's opinion does not matter. He is one voice out of millions and his views are simply not shared by many auto-enthusiast who appreciate the ability to hunt down sub 8 minute Nurburgring times and provide luxury that surrounds the occupants in the highest quality of materials.

hkaudi - 12/20/2006 8:36:42 AM

-1 Boost

That is very true.

Larry are you still in junior high? If you are you cant drive yet, please don't comment.

Designer1 - 12/19/2006 6:41:29 PM

+1 Boost

I wish ALL cars, not just luxury ones cost less than they are, its a rip off to pay so much for only a name plate.

chewy - 12/19/2006 6:53:09 PM

+3 Boost

Actually, cars are cheaper than they have ever been. In other words, it they are more affordable when compared to sallaries and when old cars are adjusted for inflation. And on top of that, cars are EXTREMELY cheap in the US when compared to most other countries.

07mcs - 12/21/2006 12:06:06 PM

+2 Boost

True, cars in the USA are cheap, specially the premium brands like Audi, BMW, MB, Jaguar, Lexus etc. etc.

mstangpny07 - 12/19/2006 7:54:17 PM

+2 Boost

Please, not another article just to make us explode into a 195-comment frenzy.
Where is the point in this article? Where?
I don't get it 009. Yes, the car market has grown. Duh. More cars are luxury? Duh. So what inspired you to write this?
Nothing is new. I don't get your reasoning at all.

It's like saying: "compact car sales rise" We all know that. C'mon.

chewy - 12/20/2006 2:12:57 AM

-1 Boost

He didn't write it. Funny that I could read the article earlier today without a subscription, but not any more.

07mcs - 12/21/2006 12:08:15 PM

+2 Boost

Let's see they got a Free Loaner from Lexus. that is why

S4cabriofoxone - 12/22/2006 12:56:10 AM

+2 Boost

What's the difference between a "nameplate" and a "brand"???