Tragic Bronson
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What Mercedes and Audi did specifically was introduce the CLA and A3, which were bottomfeeder cars to their brand. The 3-Series is also heavily incentivized too but not so much now (we don't get the 1 Series sedan here). These $399 lease deals aimed directly at folks interested in the upper trim Camrys and Accords, which offered more value but obviously aren't "luxury". These buyers have probably moved to leasing GLEs, X1s and Q3s.While some entry-level models from BMW and Mercedes could be described as "failing", it's hard to make that claim for the 3-series, which, for years (even decades) dominated the compact sport-sedan category and were on Car & Driver's 10 Best List. Other entry-level cars from premium automakers, like the Lexus IS and Infiniti G35, were successful because they concentrated on quality and reliability.
What Mercedes and Audi did specifically was introduce the CLA and A3, which were bottomfeeder cars to their brand. The 3-Series is also heavily incentivized too but not so much now (we don't get the 1 Series sedan here). These $399 lease deals aimed directly at folks interested in the upper trim Camrys and Accords, which offered more value but obviously aren't "luxury". These buyers have probably moved to leasing GLEs, X1s and Q3s.
Right. The sales pitch is literally "you can have this higher-clout brand for the price of a Camry/Accord", I've seen news stories flat-out stating that. They never mention that these bottomfeeder cars generally aren't built to the quality of the "true" MB/BMW/Audi vehicles, but people don't seem to care.
The CT definitely was a European focused vehicle to begin with (I remember the press launch was in Paris, wasn't it), definitely they need to bring something new to the market stat. Luxury buyers like new things more than not.All very well to bash the A-Class/CLA/GLA, 1-Series, A1, A3...but come to Europe and you will understand. These are not cars that failed. The world is not the USA.
You come to any supermarket car park here, and I would absolutely bet that 20-30% of the cars in it are those listed earlier in my post. The Lexus CT/NX and now UX are the only Lexuses you see here. Lexus are turning the gun on themselves once again with the dinosaur that is the CT. Will1991, the CT based on Corolla should be out NOW. The fact there hasn't even been hint to it shows that it's probably about 2-3 years away in Lexus-land. Criminal negligence!
They were not good looking, they did nothing exceptionally well (not even MPG)