Why has Ferrari abandoned the upper middle class ? | Page 2 | FerrariChat

Why has Ferrari abandoned the upper middle class ?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by anunakki, Jan 30, 2011.

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  1. FLY YELLOW

    FLY YELLOW Formula Junior

    Jun 15, 2008
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    Well said!!! I couldn't agree more.

    Somewhat of an example: The Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4...a great car, advanced engineering, and a lot of money at the time. That model didn't last as long as it should because Dodge had a cheaper sister version called the Stealth, and the only thing that did was make the 3000 far less desirable!
     
  2. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

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    See, they haven't abandoned the middle class: each level of society can buy in at a multiple price points.

    Oh, the middle class wants cars, too? So sorry.
     
  3. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    the middle class can have used Ferraris (see thread(s) elsewhere about that)
     
  4. nikkis34

    nikkis34 Formula Junior
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    The official inflation figures are wrong. The inflation rate is much higher than what the government is telling you.
     
  5. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Unfortunately it's not a cliche at the moment.
     
  6. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    There's a GM theme park at Epcot Center in Disneyworld Florida. I went to it. It's packed full of people doing much the same things I believe the Ferrari one is doing. There's exhibits about transportation, a roller coaster, show cars, theater shows, stunt shows, retail stores, etc.

    One thing that is really cool is the Lunar Rover. Apparently, GM built it for NASA. They have a real one on display there. It has to be the most exotic vehicle made in the history of mankind.
     
  7. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    is there a GM stock price roller coaster?

    if so, where does it end?

    :eek: :p
     
  8. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    GM's been doing "theme parks" longer than any one. Remember the Futuramas?
     
  9. BLAMPEE

    BLAMPEE Man Card Status: Never Issued


    Would VW attempt to kick me out of THEIR STORE for taking a picture of an item???:cool:
     
  10. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    no but my grandpa told me all about them :p
     
  11. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    As did mine.

    Told me bout yer grandma too :D
     
  12. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    well played, sir. well played.

    :D
     
  13. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    When ya gonna learn?
     
  14. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    hopefully by the time I'm your age :p
     
  15. Etcetera

    Etcetera Two Time F1 World Champ
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    That gives you plenty of time.
     
  16. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    What makes you think you'll last that long?
     
  17. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Another county heard from.
     
  18. Michael B

    Michael B F1 Rookie
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    My guess?

    Ferrari knows who they want to cater to. They have priced the cars accordingly.

    They dont want the nuevo Porsche customer who pitifully grimaces at his $150 oil service. They dont want the Mercedes customer who defers the maintenance on a leased sedan. They don't want the thousands of consumers who think of themselves as Ferrari customers but would haggle over $1000 on their trade.

    Ferrari's true clientele are none of those people. I would say that when you get to the point of being a new Ferrari customer Ferrari would hope that your more relaxed, more secure, more conscience of the big picture and therefore the insignificant details are a non-event, making for a wonderful relationship for Ferrari.

    Its a wonderful concept and I would bet it works fantastically. Viva Ferrari.
     
  19. GuyIncognito

    GuyIncognito Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    meh, I probably won't.
     
  20. VIZSLA

    VIZSLA Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Not to worry.
    It sneaks up on you when you least expect it ;)
     
  21. Hawkeye

    Hawkeye F1 Veteran
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    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3imSKAvgmY&NR=1[/ame]
     
  22. ferraripete

    ferraripete F1 World Champ

    what is upper middle class? $250k/yr? $500k/yr? $1mm/yr?
     
  23. GrayTA

    GrayTA F1 World Champ
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    But was the theme park BUILT by GM?? or was it built by Disney and then "sponsored" by GM???



    PDG
     
  24. itwizard

    itwizard Karting

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    Probably I'd place them at high end mass scale salaried positions (well paid doctors, lawyers, dentists, small business owners) so like $250k-$500k/year would be the bulk.
     
  25. anunakki

    anunakki Eight Time F1 World Champ
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    #50 anunakki, Jan 30, 2011
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2011
    The most interesting part of this thread is the extrapolated assumptions some are making based on my post.

    I never criticized Ferrari for what they are doing. Never gave my opinion. I simply asked why.

    The answers to this clearly show who is a 'glass half full vs glass half empty' type mentality.

    One thing that I noticed which has not been brought is...

    In 1985 at 2X the average yearly income a 328 was an obtainable dream. Work hard, make good financial decisions and you could foreseeably have a brand new one.

    Today, when the cheapest new Ferrari is 4X the average wage they may be so unobtainable that it actually hurts the brand.

    Maybe its just me but I dont spend a lot of time looking at or desiring things i dont think I will ever realistically be able to afford. I dont pay much attention to yachts or jets or new Ferraris. I do pay attention to things that are or will be, realistically in my ability to purchase.

    Anyway, this thread wasnt a criticism of Ferrari, it was always why the change in business model from serving the upper middle class to only serving the rich and wealthy.

    I forget who posted it but I think the best answer was whomever said 'technology'. Ferrari has embraced very expensive high end technology in its road cars and they are priced accordingly. Its sort of a 'price no object' mentality.

    As opposed to the 80s where they were not exactly technological leaders.
     

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