Does HSV understand its Market? - Part 2

[nailit]

There has been a discussion over lunch about HSV and where they are going at the moment.

It appears that there is in excess of 1000 new HSV's in Dealerships and on there way to dealers at the moment which is a real problem for the brand. . . . Some dealers are carrying 6 months stock and some less - but its a problem. . . and why is it so!

We have been of the opinion that HSV has been slowly losing momentum over the last couple of years and this appears to be somewhat true.

The exclusivity of the Brand has diminished by the sheer numbers that keep getting pumped out of Clayton and the resale values are taking a hiding as Dealers shy away from wanting to trade them. . . they do trade them, but at a lower price than the market expects . . . and therefore some HSV repeat customers are diminishing. . . and thats a concern.

One of the worst kept secrets at this time is the pending arrival of a limited edition S/C LSA E3 (25th Anniversary) Special Edition that will debut at the Sydney Motor Show next October . . . but by the time HSV start deliveries the VE will be approaching Runout and a new 5.5l Production HSV with a factory charger will be the standard diet of Horsepower so I dont see the LSA limited Edition helping the brand too much. . . although it will be a sellout.

So do they understand their Market. . . or should I say - Markets - where are they positioning themselves in the market going forward!!!

Their biggest market (per capita) is WA and that market is the biggest in Australia for Modded HSV's . . so there is a message there to HSV that customers want more!!

Do they want to be in the AMG Market. . . yes. . . but the car isnt good enough!

The New VF will be a nice car . . . but Evolutionary rather that Revolutionary as the Chassis and Cabin/Doors remain the same . . . it will have new front guards and rear quarters etc and some of the sheetmetal will be aluminuim. . . but the overall quality will be down on the rest of the Industry. . . . so what will HSV do to keep momentum. . . who knows.

HSV need to look at their potential markets and market segments and fulfil those segment needs . . . and we think only Value and Power will get them through!!

This is a continuation thread, the old thread is Here by nailit Titled Does HSV understand its Market?

[Moderators]

This is a continuation thread, the old thread is Here

[nailit]

$62,500 DA in Auto for an R8 is the going rate at the moment and you could probably squeeze dealerships more. So much for brand exclusivity, HSV are just trying to churn them out. I guess the thinking at HSV at the moment is they would rather sell more at a lesser margin without caring about the potential long term damage (and possibly irreversable) in doing so. But hey, come 10 years time I guess there won't be a shortage of spare parts for HSV's. Management don't make decisions that will affect a business 10 years down the track because simply put, the chance of a manager or decision maker still being in that position or at the same company in 10 years time is low. So who cares if in the future the company turns to shit, the people responsible for making that happen won't be affected. They will be long gone.

For an exclusive car manufacturer that is supplying low volume to a niche market, I don't think this is the right way to head! They're selling $70,000 vehicles, not $500 ipads.

Surely if there are dealers out there still carrying brand new HSV's that are plated '10 and trying to sell them in '12, this must be saying something about the supply versus demand of the brand. It does to me, but obviously not to HSV...

. . . what he said . . . great post . . .

[VYSHSV8]

Yes I don't own a HSV or HDT to whoever said that, but in saying that, I have never earnt enough till recently to be able to afford it.
But doesn't mean we don't study and design what we would like from them to keep us interested in the Brand...
Yes I will probably buy one in the near future but not what they have going atm...
If inwas going to spend 100k on a car I want a bit of exclusivity and not a daily looking car.
But then again I might buy a blue meany and I am talking VK and earlier as a weekend car as they and a few of the later series car models were exclusive ie 500 or less production.
To tell you the car I would really like is the group A/group 3 model which had less production.....

So just because some of us don't have one doesn't mean we don't aspire to own one....

[XSNRGY]

Yes I don't own a HSV or HDT to whoever said that, but in saying that, I have never earnt enough till recently to be able to afford it.
But doesn't mean we don't study and design what we would like from them to keep us interested in the Brand...
Yes I will probably buy one in the near future but not what they have going atm...
If inwas going to spend 100k on a car I want a bit of exclusivity and not a daily looking car.
But then again I might buy a blue meany and I am talking VK and earlier as a weekend car as they and a few of the later series car models were exclusive ie 500 or less production.
To tell you the car I would really like is the group A/group 3 model which had less production.....

So just because some of us don't have one doesn't mean we don't aspire to own one....

Good for you mate, everyone deserves the right to their opinions, just dont take it personally when some on here cant see past their own snot....

[XSNRGY]

Re: Does HSV understand its Market?
IMO the current VE shape is done and dusted and there will be many punters waiting for the new shape/engine variants etc.

Where do HSV draw the limit though? They offer a factory car with 325kw with an oversized whale on top of it. So when they release a 400kw car. Expect it to weigh in at 2.5 tonne or thereabouts.

Maybe there is a gentleman's agreement between local manufactureres and the gov to keep a lid of 'factory performance cars' who knows!?!

I do know FPV's new GT/GTP are HSV killers.
Only brand loyalness is keeping someone like myself out of one of those. ( QUOTE )

Fishla, they only out HP ours by being blown or turboed mate.
Thats like a push bike up against a motor bike.

[XSNRGY]

QUOTE: The VF is sure to have more KW claim and more weight.
Every year the cars get fatter and fatter.

You can thank the government and probably overseas constrictions for that Fish.

Air bags, ABS, cruise control, ESP, bigger engines - bigger drive train and brakes / wheels need stronger / heavier frames.

Just look at how much Lambos weigh and they are plastic, carbon fibre and alluminium.

[XSNRGY]

VY Berlina V8 Quote Re: Does HSV understand its Market?
I think it's important to remember what HSVs really are: tricked up, rebadged Holdens.

I don't drive a V8 any more, but still quite like the Commodore for what it is. Personally, I have never seen the value in HSV, when for a lot less $$ you can get the Commodore V8 which is almost as good anyway.

HSV will survive, because they are building cars that sell. No manufacturer is going to build cars purely out of emotion

You have pretty much hit the nail on the head here.
I think the only thing going for the Commodore and the Falcon is they are still an Australian icon.
A dying one at that.
I am and always will be a Holden bloke at heart, why I dont really know, both these brands are Australian so why so passionate over one?
Perhaps I feel a connection with Aus being our closest neighbour too.
All I know is the day will come when I cant be bothered modifying my ride.
Then there will be an unmolested Audi V8 sitting in my garage.

[XSNRGY]

QUOTE Brentonsav We all know they are heavy but a C63 is in the 17xx range so it's no lightweight either. A HSV will never be a GTR competitor. HSV's are RWD muscle cars, not sports cars. QUOTE

So why cant HSV make a four wheel drive supercharged medium weight missle....oh, they did...the Coupe 4...only it wasnt blown or lightweight.

If Audi and Nissan and others can do it why cant Holden or Ford do it.

We all remember Top Gear UK saying that value for money theres stuff all that could come close to the Monaro or Bathurst R8.

[XSNRGY]

Jarhead QUOTE Everything mentioned about HSV owners in 2011 is true. I've seen so many neglected and unappreciated models it would make a holden man cry. Standard 91 octane fuel going in to HSVs, cheap chinese tyres going on after the OEMs wear down, never washed/detailed, scrapes and bumps not fixed.... QUOTE

Are you for real?
A mate of mine bought a new VE Maloo.
Likes making smoke signals whenever he can.
Damn near popped a tyre so went to buy some.
That will be NZ$2000 please...you what?
He ended up buying two Chinas for around $400.
Then HSV turn around and say, sorry you have just voided your warranty by fitting these cheapies.
He told them to go stick their warranty.
Theres another area of concern with HSV as soon as you "modify it" say good bye to your warranty.
I dont consider cheap tyres, a CAI or a decent exhaust system to be a case for voiding the warranty other than the fact HSV probably have shares in Mobil and what ever tyre company they are using on the day.
And when it comes to tyres of the size on our cars there are no low quality types out there any more as they are all rated and classified, alot of tyres are even a straight copy only given a unknown name to sell them cheap.

[XSNRGY]

Twin Turbo HSV QUOTE Personally, I want a large locally built touring car so its Holden or Ford, keeps my fellow Australians in work otherwise taxes go up to match welfare payments.

Only ever had Holdens over the years, cant see the point in paying bigger dollars for a BMW 3 series (leave the M's out) which is a German taxi equivalent to an omega commodore over there.

Having come through the various models and body shapes utes, 1 tonners station wagons 4 door monaros and old 2 door monaros I aspired to own a HSV and have been lucky enough to have owned (not leased) three of them.

It is a large touring car that can cover large distances in comfort, lucnh at Mum's is a 900Km round journey done often in 1 day so it fits it onto a busy life running my own business.

Every time I walk towards the car I smile on the inside, I feel i am getting into a high performance vehicle that will repsond quickly to my foot and if i wish to accelerate quickly to go round a road train I can.

I know what it can do and it does it welll, I can cruise for hours and get out and feel fresh. If it breaks down in the middle of nowhere there is bound to be a part to keep me going and it is not going to cost an arm and a leg.

I dont mind how many I see as if they become exlusive they will be priced out of my buy point.

They may not hold value like the expensive imports but i know that when i buy one and factor that in to the decision.

What would i like to see different is forced induction from the factory with a warranty at a similar price point to a FPV.

Until that happens I will hang on the my VE Clubby and if it never happens then HSV haven't lost me as i will stay with what I have and finally buy that old HK or HQ monaro back and tinker in the garage at night, why i might even convince the missus that the timig is right for building that old school bobber motor bike

So HSV if you are reading this I dont want exclusivity or more expensive I want more bang for my buck with forced induction as many KW's as possible in a Holden HSV cause i love how the car makes me feel when i drive it and enjoy it. QUOTE


WOW....well said....I think I'm gonna go have a cry now

[XSNRGY]

Zorro QUOTE The beemer club aren't too bad they are more accepting of modifications, hsv club are that anal down to fitting same tires as they come from factory QUOTE.

What a load of crap.
I'm in the NZ HSV Club and maybe its because I see more of like minded HSV owners than any others car enthusiasts but other than some who think their crap dont stink, because they earn more money than the prime minister, I see modifications everywhere.
Many even have highly modified HSV race cars as well as their daily HSV's.
I remember when the VX came out over here.
From new nearly everybody was selling their $640 a corner Bridgestone rubbish on Trademe etc and fitting far superior $300 Goodyear Eagle F1's.
I cannot for the life of me understand why they stopped selling the F1 though, very hard to find now.

[XSNRGY]

Silver VH QUOTE I really think HSV need to take a page out of Corvette's book and look back to their history.

I speak of Chevrolet's offering with the Z06/ZR1 model. Not only is there the supercharged LS9 but more importantly they engage the buyer by having the option of the 'Corvette Engine Build Experience'. http://www.gizmag.com/corvette-engin...erience/15868/

Chevrolet realises that potential buyers of the Corvette would be swayed towards the brand by including opportunities that gives them more of a personal relationship compared to being treated as a 'normal car buyer'.

It beats the hell out of a ****ing bottle of wine gift pack. QUOTE

That is priceless!

[XSNRGY]

redvxr8clubby QUOTE Bear in mind HSV did dable with its Redline equivalent with the GXP, opinion on here seemed to be that they didn't sell very, so presumably Holden and HSV have decided HSV 's marketplace is above that level. I understand what you mean with the style of the E2 and E3, not really my cup of tea. I've never been that keen on the bonnet scoops on these and the G8 SS's, or even the Monaros with bonnet scoops. I think an 08 Clubby is the pick for a fairly new Clubbsport, but it do like a black VE Senator QUOTE

You are kidding right?
The best thing HSV did was to visually differentiate the Holden from the HSV with the scoops.
Hell I wish HSV had got the bonnet bulge before Ford did, it looks like you mean buisness.
The worst attempt HSV made was the VZ.
When it was coming toward you it looked like any other Holden on the road.
It wasnt until it passed you that the back end looked a little different.
Now they VY on the other hand could be seen miles away.

And dont talk to me about that rubbish GXP, if you cant own a new HSV then buy a Holden.
I think that was HSV's worst barrel scraping ever.

[XSNRGY]

Macca 779 QUOTE Your starting to turn me off HSV by illustrating that clown having an influence in them QUOTE

Who are you calling a clown....you Muppet!!!!!!!!