BMW X3 is Afraid of Mercedes GLK

[semisaleh]

http://imageshack.us





Just when it seems American SUVs and pickup trucks are in full retreat, the Germans are slugging it out in the premium segment. Since 2003 BMW took control of the segment, which is 7 percent at 395,458 units last year, selling 66,435 X3s and 52,466 X5s in Europe, and now the Mercedes GLK and Audi Q5 are set to hit the market this autumn.

According to Automotive News, a BMW spokesman said the company feels more threatened by Mercedes' GLK class than Audi's Q5.

"A typical BMW customer is not going to move down to a Q5. There is more chance that they would go for something like a GLK. Just because Audi will price the car in the premium segment does not make it a premium vehicle," the spokesman said.
An Audi spokesman said: "Audi makes premium cars so the Q5 is a premium SUV. We will see what the customers have to say."

Set to debut before the end of the year are two special edition X3 models containing new technologies. Then in 2010 the second generation X3 would make its debut.

Source: Automotive News

 

[Monster]

"A typical BMW customer is not going to move down to a Q5. There is more chance that they would go for something like a GLK. Just because Audi will price the car in the premium segment does not make it a premium vehicle," the spokesman said.

An Audi spokesman said: "Audi makes premium cars so the Q5 is a premium SUV. We will see what the customers have to say."

ouch, harsh words from BMW, let the cat fight begin.

BMW should be absolutely worried of the GLK, it looks a million times better than the X3, and this segment is pretty much for the image conscious customers. The Q5 looks pretty dull by comparison but I am sure a lot of people will appreciate Audi's top class interiors.

 

[Merc1]

BMW just won't repect Audi for squat. Oh how entertaining the Germans are.

M

 

[MikeJ]

Wow, that guy sure was talking out of his ass.

 

[coolraoul]

I agree with BMW. The GLK is an interesting vehicle, it adds something to the market, so did the X3. The Q5 just doesn't have a point, and is dull, unattractive, just a reduced Q7 (but the lines don't suit it).

Pretty ridiculous answer from Audi.

However, this article sounds quite suspicious to me. It surprises me that BMW and Audi said such things.

 

[VroomVroom]

(que Queen | We will rock you)

For the battle of the century, In the left corner we have the BMW X3 and in the Right corner we have the Mercedes GLK ready to kick some ass...Oh no what do we have here a third contender..The Audi Q5

When Germans get mean!! Who will win..stick around to find out

 

[EnI]

"A typical BMW customer is not going to move down to a Q5. There is more chance that they would go for something like a GLK. Just because Audi will price the car in the premium segment does not make it a premium vehicle," the spokesman said.

Mind this statement refers to US market exclusively.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Wow, that guy sure was talking out of his ass.

I agree. This arrogance, even in the US market, is going to bite them in the ass down the line.

 

[Tarek]

^True,that is a very arrogant and ignorant to say.

"Just because Audi will price the car in the premium segment does not make it a premium vehicle," the spokesman said.

 

[GBOY]

I hate to break the news to some of you but UNFORTUNATELY that's how a lot of people feel about AUDI.

 

[SDNR]

^ remember the arrogant BMW spokesman who said, with Rolls and Maybach, there was no room in the market for Bentley .... LOL, the market obviously thought differently.

 

[siko]

Well I totally agree that BMW should be afriad of the GLK... not in terms of design or anything like that though, since neither are that great looking.

The X3's problem (at least here in Canada) is equipment. For the asking price of the car, the car is ridiculously under-equipped.

For example, the Canadian entry model (X3 3.0i) costs $45,300, that's over $7,000 more then the $38k US-version 3.0si and it does not come with:

• Xenon (you need to buy premium package)
• Electric seats (not even with premium package, you can't even get it as an option)
• Automatic climate controls (not even with premium package, you can't even get it as an option)

I imagine MB will use the same strategy in Canada with the GLK as they did with the new C. That is, offer a more reflective price tag (due to the strength of the Canadian dollar) and offer much more equipment.

So I'm expecting X3 sales to plummet here once the GLK and Q5 are released.

 

[Mockenrue]

Dear oh dear. This sort of arrogant ignorance does BMW's image no favours at all. I'd love to see this guy's face moments after sitting in a Q5 when he realises how much better built and finished it is than the X3.

I hate to break the news to some of you but UNFORTUNATELY that's how a lot of people feel about AUDI.

This largely isn't the case now in the UK, and hasn't been for some years - especially amongst better informed car buyers who know that Audi is now the brand to beat.

 

[siko]

^^ Audi's lack-luster image as a premium brand is mostly a North American thing... here Audis aren't seen by the mass population as equals to the other two, nor to some japanese counterparts.

Personally I think Audi is on top of their game in terms of luxury, but are far behind in the sport image, mainly for two thing:

1. they still use FWD chassis
2. they still widely use symetrical quattro

No serious brand uses either of those technologies in the "sports" segment... think about market perceptions... Lexus and Inifiti are considered as serious competitors, what about Acura (a.k.a. Honda with better leather)? Furthermore, do you think the RS4 would be as fantastic of a car with symetrical AWD?! Hardly!

Now considering cars like the RS4, the R8 and A5, I know Audi have realised what it takes to make their cars sportier... rear-bias quattro.

And in all honesty, if Audi offered RWD base models and rear-bias quattro models on all their cars, they would probably be on top of the 3.

But until they adopt the RWD and/or rear-bias mentality across all models, I personally think that many people won't really consider them equal for the sporty aspect of that car market segment.

 

[Mockenrue]

Hopefully that will change now that there's a shake-up under way at the top at Audi NA since Weyler's departure.

 

[Mr Robert]

This largely isn't the case now in the UK, and hasn't been for some years - especially amongst better informed car buyers who know that Audi is now the brand to beat.

Here in Sweden Audi for sure is not the brand to beat. They still get pushed toghether with VW in many respects. "Better informed car buyers" Classic rethoric.

Amongst Audi fans Audi has been the brand to beat since forever, but that is the case in every market.

 

[Mr Robert]

And in all honesty, if Audi offered RWD base models and rear-bias quattro models on all their cars, they would probably be on top of the 3.

I think so too. The cars are great but a bit dull. The only exceptions are, like you said, the R8, A5 and RS4.

 

[Mr Robert]

Hopefully that will change now that there's a shake-up under way at the top at Audi NA since Weyler's departure.

This sort of thing may very well spawn a new way of thinking.

On a different note, that type of provocative statement by the spokesperson is just plain silly.

 

[MikeJ]

Hmm... here's the top 10 most desirable brands (as a real-world ownership prospect) from a recent Finnish study:

1. Volkswagen
2. Audi
3. Volvo
4. Toyota
5. Mercedes-Benz
6. Mazda
7. BMW
8. Honda
9. Skoda
10. Lexus

 

[Foxfire]

Personally I think Audi is on top of their game in terms of luxury, but are far behind in the sport image, mainly for two thing:

1. they still use FWD chassis
2. they still widely use symetrical quattro

No serious brand uses either of those technologies in the "sports" segment...

Oh, you mean like Subaru Impreza?

Seriously though, I agree with you... symmetrical quattro is quickly going the way of the dodo. Only A6 and A8 range use it anymore and that too will change with the next generation.