My boss thought my TLX was a Kia Optima...
#41
Suzuka Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC - USA
Age: 82
Posts: 7,674
Received 2,599 Likes
on
1,581 Posts
Not an MB fan but the 45 is a hot performer. That said I would think the basic CLA is soaking up a chunk of sales that used to go to the TL/TLX. Pretentious it is but the higher level MB's cache' does trickle down & its still an MB. BMW sells a lot of 320's on the same basis. For Acura the TLX is effectively the top of the line & has to stand on its own.
I think this was to be expected when the big 3 Germans started to put out cars in the $35K range into the USA market. Thing to remember or think about is in the home market all the German product lines go down into the sub 2.0L's due to the European car tax structure being based on big ramps up on anything over 2.0. Thousands of mid level company cars are in the 1.5L/1.8L range over there.
All they had to do was get EPA certification on existing product, no big investment to get into the USA market. Smart marketing move.
I think this was to be expected when the big 3 Germans started to put out cars in the $35K range into the USA market. Thing to remember or think about is in the home market all the German product lines go down into the sub 2.0L's due to the European car tax structure being based on big ramps up on anything over 2.0. Thousands of mid level company cars are in the 1.5L/1.8L range over there.
All they had to do was get EPA certification on existing product, no big investment to get into the USA market. Smart marketing move.
#42
Randy is the Future
Had that happen to me when I went through a security check point. Guard went on his walkie talkie and said "The Kia is good to go through". I stopped and said "wait what??? Where do you see a Kia?" He looked again and apologized and said "I thought it was a Kia from the side man, sorry."
#43
Volvo Defector
Our CFO of our company invited myself and my co-worker to lunch today. We proceeded out of the building and he asked me why I traded my Acura (RL) in for an Optima. My colleague chuckled as he drives a Benz CLA. I said "it's an Acura TLX" He then apologized and said he mistaken the back of it for an Optima...This is not the first time someone has mistaken it for a less expensive car..
The refreshed 2018 models I dont have this issue with though. Ever since they put exhaust tips back on and changed the rear bumper, Ive yet to mistake one on the road for a Kia.
Last edited by reddogTL; 02-14-2018 at 07:10 PM.
The following users liked this post:
robscharp05 (03-02-2018)
#44
Suzuka Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC - USA
Age: 82
Posts: 7,674
Received 2,599 Likes
on
1,581 Posts
Got an email with this road test from Automobile magazine
2018 Kia Stinger GT 3.3T RWD One Week Review | Automobile Magazine
2018 Kia Stinger GT 3.3T RWD One Week Review | Automobile Magazine
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Moog-Type-S
Automotive News
36
03-29-2008 04:17 PM