Why is Audi equally prestigious as BMW or Mercedes-Benz globally?

Good old GermanNut up to it again

Remember The USA is not the world

Audi is seen in most of Europe and Asia as the top Premium brand

In the USA Audi is growing eveyday

— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 1:31:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

German Nut

funny the same time you posted this i happened to post

http://www.autospies.com/news/Strong-Demand-for-The-NEW-Audi-TT-7620/

— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 1:33:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Will - yes more people know Lexus then audi in the USA but same with BMW or MB so i don't get your arguement?

The statement was Audi vs the world so that is why I replied

— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 2:09:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Who cares!

— BMWRocks (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 2:18:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Again, why are we talking about Audi taking over the world crap! Except for creepy Audi fans no one cares. Audi still has a long way to go in the USA...

— BMWRocks (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 2:23:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Honestly, I think BMW and MB still have more prestige on an international level.

BUT...

Audi is the rising star. Give it a decade and I can see Audi up there with the other fellow Germans.

— BMW530i (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 3:35:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Here we go. Another round of Automobile Deathmatch!!

This site had turned into BMW/Audi/Lexus battleground.

I'm gonna get that possessed '57 Plymouth from the time capsule post and tell her to start ramming all A4s, 330i's and ES's.

CHRISTINE Lives!!

( haha ;) lighten up a little...)

— UPshift (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 4:27:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Come on girls can't you come up with some new material????this bmw/audi BS is really stale.....Spend a few years outside your pampered box and the truth is very obvious!!!

— phaetonmeister (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 4:30:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

UpShift:

Exactly

— mstangpny07 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 6:21:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

How can Porsche be considered Tier I. Obviously, they don't sell nearly as many cars....

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 7:49:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

The Audi fans are really creppy!! Especially GermanNut

— Y2006 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 7:55:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

It has to do something with selling nearly a million cars a year. Which is much higher than Lexus. In the U.S. its image is lower because some show by the name of 60 minutes decided to rig a car to malfunction a while back.

— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 8:02:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Audi is better than Lexus and Infiniti in terms of sales and quality of product.

Audi is fully a Tier I company with nearly 1 million cars sold a year worldwide

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 8:34:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Audi customers are more educated and on average are wealthier than BMW and MB customers.

Good enough for Tier I?

You most certainly bet.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 8:35:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Germanut, you need to bit clearer with your postings. In which countries are you talking about? You posting seems to be US centric. In Germany, their home country, Audi is #1, BMW #2 and MBenz #3. In the US, its the reverse. Across Europe it actually depends on the country, but Benz leads overall. I would tend to give more weight to what the Germans think. See link below..
http://www.businessweek.com/print/globalbiz/content/jul2006/gb20060710_991925.htm

— TheGenius (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 9:40:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

To be more clear Genius, I was speaking about the world. Last time I checked, the U.S. was not the world.

Audi due to it's level of build quality, number of sales annually worldwide, number of awards for their interiors, use of Quattro to aid in performance, and cost of cars which in a few cases are more than BMW and MB respective models is by definition a Tier I company.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 10:32:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

logical-- are you under the influence? your username is ironic. anyway, the only brands i can think of without at least one MAJOR consistent flaw in their vehicles are audi, lexus, and porsche.

jaguar: inconsistent quality/old & bland styling
mb: overpriced, exterior styling is either way overexaggerated or bland and boring (except cls), poor quality
bmw: cheap interiors, the world is sick of bangle's ugly exterior designs




the only thing keeping bmw alive is the way they drive

the only thing keeping mb alive is their "prestige" (which wont last long at this rate)

jaguar isn't alive

and audi, porsche, and lexus are all succeeding

— sexylexy460 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 11:11:30 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

German nut is not an audi fan
you can have him if he is

Logic- your posting is not logical and BMW is not on par with Porsche (in the audi family)

And I agree with The Genius

— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 11:12:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

BMWRocks - you can't stay out of the Audi rooms can you? Boo audi is coming and it stares you dosen't it

— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 11:13:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Let's break the German trio down this way.

Mercedes-Benz. We know the following:

Once built like tanks up until 2000 with solidity to please an army tank driver, these cars completely justified their sky-rocket price. Fast-forward 8-10 years and built quality along with interiors have deteriorated as witnessed by quality surverys and that tin-can finish. That prestige and cachet we all talk about goes back to pre-2000.

BMW:

Once known for their clean designs and impeccable driving dynamics BMW has always been the choice for the sporty driver. Those who want the best in driving dynamics with a good blend of luxury (not as high as Mercedes level of luxury). Fast forward to current time and designer Chris Bangle has lead the movement for avant-guarde styling as first seen with the 7-series.

Audi: The Audi Quattro was a hallmark of a car. Audi has been known as the car company with clean and understated exterior designs, the best interiors but they lacked the driving enjoyment of a BMW and the solidity and reliability of the old Benzes. The 60 Minutes fiasco sent U.S. Audi sales into the toilet and Audi suffered a sales hit that wouldn't turn around until mid 2000's. Fast forward to now and Audi is still clean and conservative in their exterior designs with a bit more authority and boldness (the single-frame grille, the aluminum mirrors etc...) Te interiors are still the best in-class but now the DRIVING DYNAMICS ARE STARTING TO CHANGE. Look at the RS4 and I'm sure that makes most think what the upcoming R8 will do. Audi is in the process of launching the Q5, A5, A7 and R8 along with various performance (S) and ultra-high performance (RS) vehicles

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 11:54:00 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Yes, BMW introduced i-Drive but what did Audi do??

They improved upon it with their MMI.

Audi is in direct ownership of Lamborghini and that in itself brings Audi on par with Benz and BMW.

To see Audi HVAC control in a Lamborghini Gallardo is a symbol of Audi's impeccable interior design. To find one of Italy's most competent exotics filled with switchgear from Germany's interior master is truly a testament to Audi's engineering capabilities (and corporate ties for that matter) :)

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 8/13/2006 11:57:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Audis are seen everywhere in China, and It's hardly perceived as prestigious. As a matter of fact, the Audis in China are made in China. If Audis are meant to be marketed as a prestigious vehicle, it certainly would't be running around everywhere like taxi cabs!

— racer_65 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 1:02:54 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Here we go again, another Audi idiot trying to bash Lexus! Just remember there are reasons why German’s hate Lexus. . .

The auto industry is one of the few remaining where the Germans can be considered a world power

The German auto industry requires high prices to cover the outrageously high costs of engineering and manufacture in Germany

High prices can only be maintained if the general public believes in the superiority of the product, and/or places a high value on the associated "prestige".

Anything which creates competition, or any research that challenges the notion of superiority must be ridiculed, dismissed or exterminated.

This is why you see German (especially Audi) nutcases going to so much effort to challenge (a.) Lexus because of Lexus has better value and often offers a better ownership experience (b.) surveys such as JD Powers and others which confirm that German engineering superiority is not what it once was.

Audi sells a lot of vehicles in Europe which have no luxury features (for example base models, and most of the A3 range). These are hardly luxury vehicles but rather compete with Fords and Opels for the sales-rep market. Based on Audi calling these luxury vehicles then frankly most of the Toyota line should also be counted as “luxury”, thus eliminating much of Audi Europe’s sales advantage over Lexus!

— MercBasher (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 2:20:00 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

R%acer 65 - i have exporters all the time looking to export A8's Q7s etc to china where people pay 10s of thousands more

Audi is reat in China - but who cares

Yes audi has some cheeper models in china but so do MB and BMW

The reason you have not seen the 1 series in the US is because bmw is worried about bringing down the brand/ And they are right/ MB needs to stay away from the C class also

I Don't think Audi should bring a car like the A2 to the us

anyway i am bored

— IamEvilHomer (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 3:52:18 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Sexylexy460,

logical-- are you under the influence? your username is ironic. anyway, the only brands i can think of without at least one MAJOR consistent flaw in their vehicles are audi, lexus, and porsche.

jaguar: inconsistent quality/old & bland styling
mb: overpriced, exterior styling is either way overexaggerated or bland and boring (except cls), poor quality
bmw: cheap interiors, the world is sick of bangle's ugly exterior designs

the only thing keeping bmw alive is the way they drive

the only thing keeping mb alive is their "prestige" (which wont last long at this rate)

jaguar isn't alive

and audi, porsche, and lexus are all succeeding
-------------------------------------------

What a dumb and stupid post. Sorry, there's no other way to say it.

You assume that some companies are vegetables and don't do anything. BMW and Mercedes have WOKEN UP. Jaguar isn't dead, but just mismanaged by Ford. And a Jaguar has more prestige than your Lexus.

Stop being blinded by the success of Lexus in America. The rest of the world isn't remotely interested in a Lexus. Even with the addition of newer engines (say smaller motors), it will be a long time before international buyers accept Lexus as a prestige brand.

STFU with your ignorant comments and go back to school.

— BMW530i (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 4:53:16 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

racer65, across continental europe, a mercedes e class is a taxi.
hell even in the uk i got a taxi and it turned out to be a brand new mercedes s class.

— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 8:48:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

what a stupid post. Is anybody else sick of all this? Do we want everybody to drive and like the same type of car? Are some people so insecure that they have to prove on an internet blog that their car is better than somebody elses? Grow up people. How boring would it be if we all liked the same car? My Armani shirt is higher quality than your Gucci loafers, by the way.

— phantom330 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 9:53:02 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I am gone for a week and he's still up to the same 'ol stuff. Thank goodness the BMW camp declined his application. :)

— Mark (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 9:53:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

i, personally, like audis and think they're great. but my take is that if people feel the need to "defend" the brand, it just tells me that they're insecure and have something to prove..bmw and mercedes fans don't need to defend their brands because they KNOW for a fact that the marque is pretigious...

— jackpot (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 10:34:16 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Logical I would like you to prove your point that Audi is not a Tier I brand in the world and that they are a cheap alternative to MB and BMW.

Prove to me that every Audi car made is cheaper than its BMW or Mercedes-Benz counterpart......

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 11:32:09 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Logical you are an absolute moron. You lack the logic of any car enthusiast.

Audi is actually more desireable in Germany and China than in the United States.

Audi the classy car for the conservative rich man

BMW the car for the rich man who wants the world to know he's rich

Mercedes-Benz the car for the rich man who is about to die he is so old.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 1:05:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Germannut- Why do we have these pissing matches all of the time. BMW, MB, Audi all have the hallmark qualifications of premuim brands. The all appeal to different and similar audiences. You will find converts in all camps. So why spend all of the cycles touting mine is the best. It doesn't make sense.

— PlanoA4 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 1:57:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

OK, let's get some things straight.

1. Audi is not no. 1 in sales in Germany or Europe.
It goes like this MB, BMW, Audi.

2. Audi is better seen in the rest of the world than in the USA however, except for maybe continental China it's not par as with MB or BMW. It's growing and it's getting there, but it's not there yet.

3. As far as prestige goes, MB has the upper hand on BMW.

— DarkOneForce (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 2:41:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Here's the sales performance of the German brands (plus Toyota/Lexus) in the German market so far this year.

Sales in the German market year-to-date through June:

Mercedes-Benz: 168,451
BMW: 138,243
Audi: 130,332
Porsche: 10,208
Toyota/Lexus (combined): 73,856

From the list of Top 50 models in the German market by sales:

#3 3-Series (57,814)
#5 A4 (49,904)
#8 A3 (38,010)
#10 A-Class (35,812)
#11 A6 (32,100)
#13 B-Class (30,931)
#14 C-Class (30,370)
#17 5-series (28,622)
#18 1-series (28,419)
#24 E-Class (23,148)
#45 M-Class (9,888)

No Lexus models in Top 50

Source: Auto Motor und Sport, July 19, 2006 issue.

— DPA687 (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 4:16:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

DarkOneForce, yes, Audi is growing but its not at the level of Mercedes-Benz or BMW yet according to who?

Is that just your opinion, I think so....

Prestige??

If we base prestige off of the number of racing wins, I think we all know who has the best prestige...Audi.

Many people think Audi is on par with BMW & MB and many people think Audi is not.

Likewise many people think MB is better than BMW and others think BMW is better than MB.

Each company has its own brand heritage/recognition and attributes.

I know people who won't buy a Mercedes just because it is known as an old man's car.

I know people who won't buy a BMW because they don't like the image.

I know people who won't buy an Audi because it has a link to Volkswagen and Lamborghini.

If we get over this, we realize that each company has its strenghts and weaknesses.

I think Audi is better than Mercedes-Benz and that is a fact because I say so.

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 4:52:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Y'know, this useless crap that's cluttering up the site is nothing more than a glorified version of "my dad can beat up your dad."

Face it:
Audi fans like Audis
BMW fans like BMWs
Lexus fans like Lexuses (Lexi?)

I personally raise a glass to the guy who drives a '73 Buick Riviera in South Africa. This Guinness is for you, buddy.

— UPshift (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 6:04:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Face it, Mr. You Lack Logic, what Caltrans said was correct and your wrong!

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 8/14/2006 9:05:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

GermanNuts: reminder...this is a website for auto enthusiasts. That means that someone else may post an opinion that differs from yours and that's okay. By the way, I'm sure everyone accepts and some may even agree about your view that Audi is the best car maker in the world but have you gone back and re-read all of your posts? You sound VERY insecure and defensive about your appreciation/adoration of Audi. You state that you want to create world peace and understanding by explaining why you think Audi is superior in everyway but did you ever stop and think that a 'superior' attitude does the opposite?

— SixxFive (View Profile)

Posted on 8/15/2006 12:07:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1