Avantime and Blackwood

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Reportedly the Lincoln Division is working
on a vehicle that closely resembles the Renault Avantime.The Possibility of a vehicle created specifically for the Infiniti
Division and looking very Buick LaCrosse must
be well into Development.

[Infiniti]

Now I know you are our insider but Renault has already rejected the idea of selling that "thing" here, and even more than an Infiniti. They said it doesn't fit the market and doesn't fit the Infiniti image and wouldn't go well with their lineup. That "thing" should and won't be coming here and thank God for that.

[Infiniti]

About the Blackwood, I hate. My Dad and a cousin (who's 21) love it though. I hate to say it but I like the Explorer Sport Trac. If Infiniti were to come out with a vehicle like that, that would be fine if it didnt look like a box of cow fat on wheels.

[stonefield]

I saw the Blackwood. I think it looks alright--personally, I'd never buy it. I think a luxury pickup is just plain stupid. Offering luxury appointments, like the new SC frontier models, on pickups is a better idea. However, it is a Lincoln, and I guarantee there will be a market out there for it. Personally, I find that saddening, but true. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/frown.gif

[2HD]

At an auto show 2 rich guys were making jokes about the Blackwood. I just think it's a real stupid idea. Who is going to put some sand and dirt in something they paid 40 grand for. Whats the bed for anyways?

[Slack00]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 2HD:
At an auto show 2 rich guys were making jokes about the Blackwood. I just think it's a real stupid idea. Who is going to put some sand and dirt in something they paid 40 grand for. Whats the bed for anyways?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

All you people need to expand your mind and stop thinking in today's paradigm!!

About 50 years ago, a pickup was something you found at a ranch. Period. It was a workhorse, a utility vehicle. Now trucks nearly account for 50% of all vehicle sales in the USA.

About fifteen years ago, people thought the Chrysler's 1984 "mini-van" was the dumbest things anyone ever created......top execs and critics of other companies just knew it was going to be a fiasco......but the mini-van is so entrenched in today's culture that we still use phrases like "mini-van mom" or whatever have you.

About ten to fifteen years ago, the phrase "sport-utility vehicle" wasn't even a dream in an auto journalists head. A Bronco was the vehicle of choice by rednecks and hunters. The Range Rover and Land Cruiser was something you were chauffered in on a deep Safari-expedition, and the Suburban was an oversized station wagon for the really REALLY big families. Now as we all know, many people use their SUVs for nothing more than personal transportation.

And a little more than five years ago, where was the Luxury SUV? Where was the Mercedes ML55? Where was the BMW X5? Where was the Lincoln Navigator? Where was the RX300 or the LX450? Where was the Infiniti QX4 even? What did YOU say or think when you heard Mercedes and Lexus and BMW were coming out with a SUV? Probably the same as mine: "Oh brother... http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/rolleyes.gif" You probably even said (or are still saying) "Now why would anyone want to buy a $40,000 luxury off-road truck? Wouldn't they be afraid to get mud on the thing?" Now we argue on this very forum about our favorite luxury SUV. If even the MOST cautious players (BMW, Mercedes Benz) were willing to risk their reputation as vehicle manufacturers, then that should tell you something....

Luxury is no longer the domain of sedans exclusively. It is defined to a brand, and to a build quality and a feel, not to a vehicle segment. Its everywhere.

I for one, think the Blackwood looks great. I wouldn't be ashamed to own one, either. I always thought the Lincoln was the better looking of the Expedition/Navigator duo, and I think that could safely translate into truckdom as well.

Have you even checked out the prices of some fully-loaded pickups today? Pickups have more options and trim levels than just about any vehicle on the road. You can get a base Ford F-150 for $15,000, or you can super super size your F series and run a tally of $30,000+ after all the leather, lights, mini-fridge, and kitchen sink are added.

My two points here are, people are willing to pay for a luxury truck, people identify with the brand name more and the vehicle segment it occupies less, and lastly, people want something different than the 500,000 F-150's on the road.

Has anyone picked up the latest Motor Trend? Yeah, you probably rolled your eyes again and said "Say it ain't so!" when you saw the BMW pickup and whatever have you...and while this may seem outlandish to us sports-car purists, I think it is much more appetizing to car-buying masses.

So open your mind and get ready to see some Lincoln Blackwoods and, if Infiniti is smart (and I think they are), some Nissan derivied fullsize luxury trucks....

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Thanks Bravo00
The purpose of the forum is to rattle some cages.Geez everything is up for grabs now.However I would be totally ashamed if Infiniti and Ghosn ignored the awesome breakthrough that is represented by the avantime.You don't have to like it but you must respect the fact it is blazing a new direction and movement.That it can be refined,absolutely.However if Infiniti came out with a car like the Lexus IS300 I would be disappointed.That is the ES250 reborn.Lexus believes the public won't catch on.Just like McDonalds believed light warmed burgers would always find a stomach.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Well, if they're going to do it, do it right. They cant afford to make anymore mistakes like they did with the current Pathfinder back in 97. If they plan on making any sporty hybrid vehicles they have to be bold, have features that the competitions vehicles dont, have the best hp in the class, and have very good styling. And if possible be useful offroad if it is a 4x4.

[2HD]

Just because it's different doesn't mean it's going to be a success. A luxury SUV is one thing but you have to think of how functional vehicles like the Avantime and a luxury fullsize truck is going to be. I will agree with you that their probably is a market out there for them, but how big of a market is it, how profitable will it be, what are the chances of it lasting a long time but most importantly what kind of image will it set for Infiniti. You also have to look at what the consumer wants which is room, power, comfort etc, give them all of that and more. Do the research is what I'm saying and market it like it's the best thing in the world because vehicles like that can either ruin Infiniti or make them a success.