Forbes Magazine Lists The 10 Top Reasons Why German Cars Rule The Roadways

"Mercedes will resort to selling sub-$30k cars"

Lexus CT200h

I would claim Audi has stolen most of the 15% market share loss of the big three japanese brands (Lexus, Acura and Infiniti) over the past 6 years. Audi's growth rate is extremely better than the japanese, who seem to keep tripping over themselves.

Audi is neck and neck with MB for second most in luxury sales globally, with BMW a very close first. Hardly something to put down.... unless of course, you are IGNORANT.

@ BlackDynamiteMB

You know damn well what my point was. Small luxury cars are in demand, especially outside of North America where space is at a premium and parking spaces are hard to find and small. Small cars that are spacious inside and practical are the in-thing.

blah blah blah. all the germans sell for much higher NET PRICES. show me one japanese car with an AN AVERAGE NET SALES PRICE above its direct german competitor.

BlackDynamiteMB, FORBES does not cater to your type. It's a GLOBAL market, something you don't seem to understand. Actually, you will never understand. Continue trolling car sites with your ignorance. Get your facts straight.

USNA1999
Please don't confuse him with logic, it tends to cause the moron severe migraines.

Forbes is not who I turn to for any understanding of the automotive market.

Clearly Forbes is referred to here as a source for a study of BRANDING not AUTOMOTIVE issues. Learn to comprehend.

O, I didn't know this site was called AutoBRANDINGSpies.com.
Apparently you're an expert on Forbes magazine. But apparently you didn't read the story, for two reasons.
1. The topics are on many aspects of the cars, very little on branding.
2. It's not written by Forbes, but by Fortune. Are you an expert on them too?

I think all these points make a lot of sense except for number ten. Although the "second place" terminology might be insulting to other brands, the reality is that the German brands are always at the forefront of innovation and creating new niches. They constantly release new models from sedans, to convertibles, to SUVs etc. with a variety of engine, trim etc. choices and that creates buzz and interest. The Japanese premium brands are always slow to react in that sense. Just look at Infiniti for example and their IPL lineup. For god's sake it's one car that's incredible overpriced, looks like a fish and has like what, 15-hp more than a standard G37S? Lexus to falls into this category with a lack of a Z4/SLK fighter or a 4-door coupe or a proper SL/6er or CL rival. Acura is hopeless.

The German brands are very powerful from a brand point of view. A brand is strengthened by reputation created out of history and heritage. Anyone whose ever been to Germany and checked out the BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, VW etc. museums will know why these brands have such a strong global appeal.

What a pompous post....

Which BRAND/Company has the most money?
Which is more liquid?
Which company has made the most profit?

Thats really all that matters seeing as how we are all, for the most part, living in failing economies....

The real question is why these BRANDS arent even more popular.....when the Japanese endured a MAJOR EARTHQUAKE.....

Like I said....

The only competition that matters is sales and profit races and by the looks of an article you, Mercedes, just posted on, Toyota is clearly on the road to just THAT.....

Im sorry, but $200,000,000,000+ says a lot....(BILLION)

EAT IT!!!!!

thetruth01, You hit the nail right on it's head. The nail in this case is Agent009. Something is very strange about this article. Reminds me of a big FAT COVER-UP! If Forbes is that ignorant, then the rich is no smarter than the stupid. The Lexus LFA Exotic (Toyota Motor Corp) was actually hand built and assembled by Lexuses top Engineers in house using parts made exclusively for the LFA and not one part is shared with any other Toyota or Lexus vehicle. The entire chassis was exclusively done on the worlds only patent advanced technology automotive carbon fiber weave machine. Now that's just for starters! And I think if Forbes had any idea these Japanese were this advanced, they would not insult themselves and openly look and sound stupid. Then again what the hell do they know about Exclusive Automotive Advanced Technology anyways.

We are talking about brands here. The LF-A is only one car from a new brand that has ZERO history or heritage or motorsport record. Look at the history and heritage of Lexus' rivals or their motorsport record and then come back to me. Nobody gives a crap about the LF-A when the entire brand is so dull and pretentious.

"9. Exclusive and super-exclusive."

Wait the A1 is exclusive? Its starting price is 2K over a Polo, and cheaper than a cooper. lol

...I'll be watchin u Willis, and u can best believe there's is a whole lot of people who give's a crap about Lexus and their MotorSport Record. You Just wait and see! I remember when Agent009 use get real uptight like that. Have u noticed how he's been trackin down all this stuff that keeps coming from every angle concerning the relentlessness of Mr Akio Toyoda and his Company. Yeah, you'll be eatin your own words one day soon as well. If I'm liying I'm flying!!

You don't need motorsport heritage to impress American buyers. Cadillac has very little motorsport heritage, Lincoln and Imperial have/had none. Motorsport doesn't matter to the average clueless and passionless American car buyer.

But you need motorsport heritage it to impress European buyers. History and heritage sells cars in Europe. They're far more passionate about cars over there than we are.

And I feel slightly uncomfortable with you watching me...stalker...

The article is from Fortune, not Forbes. Although both magazines begin with "For", there is a difference between them.

With respect to the article, only reasons 4 and 6 are truly relevant.