Journalists and car enthusiasts gathered to feast their eyes on the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class and other exciting models at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. The show provided a platform where consumers who have a taste for luxury and automakers are rushing to deliver by upgrading interiors, loading up on fancy features and expanding their offerings with stylish new models.
Some analysts warn that the line between the mass market and premium brands is blurring as automakers vie for attention in a bustling and highly competitive industry.
Voice-activated ‘infotainment’ systems, leather seats and rear-view cameras are becoming standard, even in entry-level cars. And the speed at which innovative features migrate downwards is accelerating.
While the options race has increased pressure on luxury brands to innovate, the prestige associated with their brands is what truly sets them apart. An analyst said: “You can get a Nissan Maxima or Buick LaCrosse with an extraordinary amount of content. But the one thing you’re not getting is the image,” said.
“That’s why people aren’t driving the Genesis – it’s put out by Hyundai.”
The real danger comes from the introduction of down-market models being introduced by premium brands to capture new customers with a lower price point.
Dave Sargent, vice-president for global automotive analysis with JD Power, explained: “The thing you have to be careful of is if you sell too many vehicles, you’re not premium anymore. If everybody is driving a BMW, you’re not special any more.”
There was also the risk that, instead of capturing new customers, existing ones would simply buy the cheaper models.
Mercedes shook things up in 2013 year with the CLA, a sleek but small sedan offered with a base price of $29,700.The German automaker insists its “breakthrough” car is no threat to its prestige or its previous entry-level option, the best-selling C-Class. Some 80% of CLA buyers were new to the brand and most were much younger than the typical Mercedes customer.
Dieter Zetsche, the company’s chief executive officer, said as he unveiled an updated and upgraded – C-Class at the 2014 Detroit auto show: “The huge excitement which goes around the CLA is beneficial for the brand altogether. It brings more dynamics, more coolness, to the brand.”
Luxury automakers aren’t just chasing new customers with their down-market options, said Bob Carter, head of automotive operations for Toyota Motor USA, added: “They’re also being forced into introducing smaller cars and less powerful engines in order to meet upcoming regulations tightening corporate average fuel efficiency standards.”
Unlike its main competitors, Toyota’s luxury arm, Lexus, does not need to downsize its engines and options to meet the new rules. The Japanese automaker is able to get its overall numbers down with the smaller vehicles sold by the Toyota and Scion brands.
“The advantage of having three brands, as we have, is we are able to keep clearly succinct brand clarity,” he told AFP in an interview on the sidelines of the auto show.
Andy Goss, head of global sales for Jaguar and Land Rover, said going small – or even less expensive did not have to mean going downmarket. “We are packaging luxury in a different way with smaller vehicles.”
The key is to maintain the same level of quality and “stay true to the DNA of a Jaguar or Land Rover.” There were many ways improve fuel efficiency without damaging the brand.
The Tata-owned luxury automaker managed to lower the weight of the new Range Rover by 360kg by incorporating more aluminium into its body and streamlining parts and components. It is also exploring hybrids and the possibility of introducing diesel options in the US.
On the other hand, the German automakers who dominate the luxury market such as Mercedes and BMW, followed by Volkswagen’s Audi and Porsche have already introduced a number of hybrid and diesel options and are also bringing electric and eventually hydrogen-powered vehicles to market.
They have also been improving fuel efficiency and performance by taking weight out of their vehicles and integrating carbon fibre and other materials into their frames though it’s not yet clear if this will be sufficient to meet the new standards while also maintaining premium performance.
By: Mike Ochonma
