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It did ok at first. Everyone that wanted one got one, now their sales are going into the toilet.
Too bad, they're good looking, strong performers and the price isn't bad. But no one trusts them to work.
FIAT's a dead brand walking. They got outsold by Maserati last quarter!
You could have poll the people in this forum and they would have told you, down to the last one, that Fiat and Alfa would be a flop. Yet, the overpaid CEOs somehow couldn't see it. Now, the 206 might have made it as a compact but there are so many other obstacles. European cars are just too austere for American tastes.
DS is the luxury arm of PSA, which competes with BMW and Audi, though apparently not as reliable as the German rivals. It will be interesting to see if the DS brand makes its way to this side of the pond. I don't think Renault will return anytime soon because of the partnership with Nissan. Citroen could return, but since it's part of PSA, I would tend to think that the company would tend not to try too much too soon, since the departure of Peugeot was not missed by many on this side of the pond.
If the first Peugeots are supposed to be car sharing vehicles, as I recall reading somewhere, I do not think that they will be to the premium end of the spectrum, probably an alternative to a Versa, like the Peugeot 108. Most Peugeot vehicles compete with the likes of mainstream Volkswagen models. Now, PSA could re-badge a Citroen as they are less expensive than Peugeot, as the car sharing vehicle in the US, since I doubt they would want to introduce two brands, especially as the last Citroen vehicles sold in the US were at the quirky premium end of the market, not the family sedan/wagon as the 405/505 were with Peugeot.
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All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.
~William Shakespeare (As You Like It Act II, Scene VII)
Peugeot Is Officially Leading the Return of French Cars to the U.S.
Will Peugeot be marketing budget cars or attempt to sell luxury cars with the likes of BMW, Audi, Mercedes, etc?
Unlikely. Fiat is leaving after another disappointing term here. It doesn't instil a lot of trust in purchasing one of these here today--gone tomorrow brands.
More competition means more (and hopefully) better choices for consumers.
It's not that easy. You conflate retailing automobiles with retailing handbags. The investment required to bring a brand here is astronomical. Land, buildings, showrooms, parts & service, and advertising.
Convincing a customer their purchase won't be a mistake is more difficult than ever. Usually dooms a weak brand.
Well good luck to them I guess but they're in for an uphill battle. The USA's appetite for consumer-grade European cars is minimal at best with no indication said appetite will grow any time soon.
If they come to market with anything but CUVs they're gonna get crushed.
European cars are just too austere for American tastes.
Unfortunately this is only too true. Americans prefer big-and-cushy, be it a "midsized" sedan or the increasingly dominant truck/SUV. Americans never cared much for a peppy sub-compact, that combined efficiency and driver-oriented dynamics.
Quote:
Originally Posted by finalmove
Maybe they could try selling bicycles!
That's actually an appealing idea. Burgeoning in popularity right now is electric bicycles. Unfortunately most are underpowered and very expensive. Why would I spend $4K on an electric bicycle, to replace my $2K car?
Well, the problem is lack of mass-production... too many niche/start-up manufacturers. If a major, well-established manufacturer came along, they could exploit economies of scale, to drop prices substantially.
I believe that was a 403 convertible, as much a fashion statement as his raincoat.
That’s what I thought. That was cool car in a round about way.
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