dchao said:
When a brand new $80K are offered on the Internet for $70K and less, and we don't know how much non-internet dealer are discounting, that says something.
The question is: Those, 06 GT buyers, would they have purchased an more expesive car if the 06 GT was not even availabe to them? Has MNA successfully attracted *new* buyers into the show room? Or the pricing is set too high, really need to be somewhere below 70K, to get new people into the showroom.
the answer is yes, MNA successfully attracted more buyers (new or repeat, i dunno) to buy an even more expensive car (GS, GSS) even when the 06 GT is available.
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/09/05/020918.html
"In August, Maserati North America delivered 120 GranSport and GranSport Spyder models, representing a 47% increase over August sales for 2005. Year to date, Maserati has retailed 499 of the exclusive units, up from 388 the year before. "
hard to say whether what contributes to this increase:
switch and bait with the 06 coupe GT, expiring warranty, sexy MCV, etc etc.
but the fact is, MNA marketing is working alright.
certainly the dealers don't like the discount too. but i don't see the logic here. we have just recently someone who bought a GS spyder for $94.5k / $112.5k; that also says the same thing.
and in fact, how many of these strippers were available? 50? 100?
how many are left now?
and also, does it have to be *new* buyers to be successful in the marketing? MNA needs to keep the many current owners interested in the brand especially when their leases expiring. if they don't have anything to keep them within the brand, they will just leave.
the GS was a good 'upgrade' from a current coupe if they want to spend extra extra money.
and for those who prefer a manual, the entry level GT was a good choice.
you are correct on one point, you dont know how much the non-internet dealers are discounting. and you dont know how many were sold already.
dealers don't necessarily just make money off the sale. service is a bigger part of the profit.
further, the dealers are required to stock a number of inventory. the coupe GT is the least expensive stock they can carry.
all in all, i can see some happy maserati owners in this strippers GT.