Automaker Targets Asian Consumers for the First Time

Good luck with the advertizing Chrysler - you're going to need it - that's one exceptionally ugly vehicle [worse than GM's Aztec] you are trying to sell.

— MercBasher (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 10:44:55 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Merc I will have to agree: If Chrysler is going to go toe-to-toe with Asian brands, they better offer something at least half decent. The new Sebring is not enough...in looks alone it is just subpar.

— courtstone (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 11:29:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Asians are more attracted to minivans, specificlly asain vans.

— Carboy (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 12:14:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

We are seeing a trend from the US Makers of targeting specific groups that the previously did not cater to in a effort to pick up the pieces.

— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 12:18:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Some people are more sensitive than others I guess, and maybe we hit anerve or two. The Big three are looking for sales where ever they can. This is no different than advertising on Spanish Speaking TV in the US. Funny that never seemed to raise an eyebrow.

— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 1:45:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

That's true Agent 009. To sell cars a company has to appeal to its customers.

— kart1 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 3:09:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Agent 009, you are wrong. its Detroit's 2. Not Big 3.

— Homer008 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 8:39:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Asian American's are much different than Asian's from China, Japan, etc... The title of the article suggests Automaker will target Asians - in fact they are targetting Americans. The US still is a melting pot; for this reason I don't see them accomplishing much with these ads airing in NY, LA and SanFran. If anything it'll piss off the flag waving rednecks.

— Loki (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 12:35:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I live in the city of Irvine,Ca and the population breaks down like this for people of Asian decent and many of them drive American and German cars..

Races in Irvine:

White Non-Hispanic (57.0%)
Chinese (10.5%)
Hispanic (7.4%)
Korean (5.3%)
Two or more races (4.8%)
Japanese (3.6%)
Asian Indian (3.1%)
Vietnamese (3.1%)
Other race (2.5%)
Filipino (2.4%)
Other Asian (1.9%)
Black (1.4%)
American Indian (0.6%)

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 12:37:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

i dont know what car you guys are talking about. the sebring had a much needed update consisting of a rebuild from teh ground up. maybe you were okay with the old bodystyle and everything, well there is still 05 and 06's around you can get for cheep. we have 3 sebrings in the 07 version at our dealership and one sits right up front next to the 07 srt8 300c and crossfire. sure we get alot of lookielous gapping at the beasts, but so many people are intregued with the new sebring. and these are people who actually want a new car, and something different. this car is going to be sucsessful and people who are not car enthusiest dig it. all you have to do is rattle off the large list of standard features on even the base model and people heard enough they want to drive and buy.

and when they start comparison shopping they will see this car is a much better value than its competitors. when people ask me how it compares to say the camry, accord, or altima, its like taking candy from a baby. my dealership only sells 40-50 new cars a month and this month i have personally ordered 3 and sold one from stock to customers. forget your german inspired ego and go drive one, then goto the imports and see the difference for yourself. most people considering the sebring are not also looking at 3 series, MB, or lexus. they are looking at honda, kia, nissan, and toyota and thats who will choose the sebring no matter how ugly you say it is.

you are also the same people im sure, who hated all over the pt cruiser while it was selling 20% over sticker price on a 4 month wait.

— bigslick83 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 12:52:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

If they made it look like a mini 300C, like the Avenger to the Charger, it would've been a success.

But they just had to keep its tepid image.

It has a cheapened, Passat rip-off interior, and the most arches I've ever seen on any car's hood. It looks like a Crossfire sedan mutant.

— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2006 5:40:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Won't work, it isn't as simple as just language.

First of all, the car is butt-ugly.

Secondly, new-comers and older Asians (excl. East-Indian) have generally developed a positive image of Toyota/Honda from living overseas. The younger ones are more likely to buy Honda for tuning/efficiency. Badge-whores couldn't care less whether Chrysler spoke to them in their own language or not, you can only spell BMW one way.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/4/2006 8:39:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

umm yea my dealership makes a profit, but like most dealerships we make most of our profit on used cars. we dont pay intrest on alot of cars because we only order a few of each trim level and they sell fast. then we order more. we dont have a 200 car lot like alot of the local dealers and since we can get most people approved for a new car we do alright. im not saying were braking any sales records but the sebring/aspen are not the cars that are sitting in inventories. its mini-vans, suvs, and trucks. the point is that i sold 3 cars to 3 people who loved this car.

on another note i just drove the sebring, zepher, accord, camry, and fusion on a closed track and the sebring out performes all of them with or w/o esp. not to mention the esp is only a 455 dollar option which is a very cheap premium compared to most vehicles. the zepher and accord are a close second when the sebring does not have esp but the zepher is in the luxuray mid-sized sedan market and not hte standard like the others.

— bigslick83 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/6/2006 12:33:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1