Comments on: Audi president: U.S. not ready for A1 premium compact

By: cocksterS

cocksterS — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:09:20 +0000

I feel like the conclusion that the US is not ready for a $25k premium subcompact is based on a high-volume, mass market roll-out strategy. I think that if Audi brought the A1 stateside in limited numbers and distributed to target dealers (read: those in denser, urban areas) it could achieve market success, as well as quell any concerns over brand dilution.
.
Some readers have already pointed to the SMART and Mini brands. I think there is a growing ‘premium city car’ niche that coincides with a demographic shift toward urban areas. If Audi can brand the A1 into this niche, I think they will be quite successful. As an aside, I think that this car is stylistically much more compelling than BM’s 1 series.

By: gogogodzilla

gogogodzilla — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:42:39 +0000

The A1 isn’t based off the VW Golf platform. The A3 is the Audi version of the VW Golf.

If anything, it’s probably based off the VW Polo.

By: Madcapp

Madcapp — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:30:40 +0000

You can’t ask BMW prices for front wheel drive, econobox architecture/layout cars. And in some cases, you’d get a more reliable FWD car from Japan. Who wouldn’t prefer a Civic Si after an objective price to performance examination?

By: jonmiles

jonmiles — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 23:26:46 +0000

Smart- this will only cheapen the brand in american buyer’s eyes…

By: tyler_is_aero_tt

tyler_is_aero_tt — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 22:38:29 +0000

Wow NMOFGM. You’re right, people are going to trade in their upscale Audi for a $16,000 car with cloth seats and mediocre performance.

By: drg

drg — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:51:03 +0000

type in smart car stoppie to youtube

By: anti-believer

anti-believer — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:37:13 +0000

WE DON’T WANT YOUR AUDI A1.

By: BlazeAbraham09

BlazeAbraham09 — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:28:16 +0000

GOOD! I didn’t want your stupid premium compact, anyways. =P Everyone still wants the A7.

Need more oil for GM is an idiot…well, a pile of crap is an A1 compared to an Astra…=O Hahaha. I wish that made sense.

By: e46Ne90

e46Ne90 — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:15:38 +0000

good no one wants overpriced golf

By: Need more oil for GM is an idiot

Need more oil for GM is an idiot — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 21:15:10 +0000

The saturn astra is a pile of crap compared to the A1.

By: yarddog82abn

yarddog82abn — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:12:11 +0000

People are paying over $25K for a smart car… You can get a fully loaded Saturn Astra for $27K, if you are as stupid as Need more oil to get suckered in to paying for a mark-up.
But hay, It’s his American duty to buy GM!!!!

By: Struggle

Struggle — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:04:08 +0000

Audi is the only German car I’d consider anyway.

Someday, bring it on over.

By: A4

A4 — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:01:03 +0000

how can a GTI go for $23k and they cant charge less than $25k for something probably on similar ground?

By: Impulsive

Impulsive — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:55:38 +0000

The concept of “by the pound/foot” is just as WRONG as “by supposed prestige/luxury”.

Granted, it is a free market and you can justify charging whatever you want … however, if intelligence ruled the world, things would be very different.

By: drg

drg — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:40:04 +0000

I think you could probably do stoppies in a smart car without trying too hard. I wonder what the average smart car owner pays a month in gas now, 20-30 bucks?

By: HoosierHero

HoosierHero — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:35:01 +0000

I think the Smart success was from the gas panic, not because Americans are embracing small cars. I’d love to see their sales now that gas has come down. If I was a Smart owner I’d be feeling like crap because now I would have a tin can for a vehicle.

By: TomF

TomF — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:33:39 +0000

If BMW / MINI can find people to drop $31k+ for a Cooper S with JCW, surely Audi can find people to drop $25k on the bigger and more practical A1.

By: howsmydriving

howsmydriving — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:32:42 +0000

Funny, Audi has already proved that there are plenty of stupid people who will pay big bucks for FWD four-cylinder.

By: drg

drg — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:32:36 +0000

Obviously Audi has not paid attention to the sucess BMW has had with the Mini. In 2008 the US was the largest market for Mini Coopers with over 54,000 being sold here.

For comparison, Audi USA reports that 2008 sales totals for it’s bread and biutter A4 sedan were 43,343 cars.

Obviously Audi is not paying attention to the facts.

By: mayer_ray_nagin

mayer_ray_nagin — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:27:37 +0000

I want this car, but this idiot is right – I ain’t paying $25k for it. Maybe loaded out with everything, but it should base at 20k to start.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:25:05 +0000

Someone has to dip their toe in the pool first. Lots of people thought the Smart would be a bust.

By: Zcarsales

Zcarsales — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:20:56 +0000

Which person is Need more Kool Aid for GM? Bob Lutz or Howie Long?

By: Zcarsales

Zcarsales — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:19:51 +0000

Need more Kool Aid for GM, if you know your product, you’ll know that the Opel Astra outpaces a lot of cars in Europe as it is. That’s due to the fact that you have a great many more options and trim levels with the Opel Astra. Saturn’s Astra, the exact same car, has no power options, period.

By: idrinorbarsaku

idrinorbarsaku — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:19:34 +0000

yeah in your damn dreams. saturn astra sucks compared with audi. only your biased, stupid a$$ would pick a saturn astra over an audi, if you had to pick between the 2

By: Need more oil for GM

Need more oil for GM — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:15:11 +0000

Buyers would rather drive a Saturn Astra anyways.

By: Zcarsales

Zcarsales — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:15:04 +0000

Wow, a business decision made by facts. Lutz, you reading this?

By: drg

drg — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:09:39 +0000

If the $25,000 (or even a bit more) includes the r20’s 270hp 4pot they have a winner.

By: sundi

sundi — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:05:22 +0000

genesis coupe is coming

By: NRG

NRG — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:02:03 +0000

The time is coming, however.

By: Borat

Borat — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:59:49 +0000

Thank you, we are not ready