Posted by Joe Baker on December 10, 2002 at 12:05:55:
In Reply to: You Guys (&gals) Are Gonna Hate ME...:) posted by :) on December 10, 2002 at 11:38:58:
Ford=Mercury=Lincoln(= some Mazda)
Chevy=Pontiac=Buick=Oldsmobile=Cadilac=GMC=Saturn(= some Toyota)
Dodge=Chrysler=Jeep=Mercedes(for crying out loud!)
These are true in a corporate sense; and in some cases the product IS pretty much identical. In other cases, a more 'upscale' badge is accompanied by better materials, greater availability of options, or more care in construction, or a completely different product.
It seems to me that, whether it's tubas or cars, this is a legitimate marketing technique. No one is trying to be secretive about the relationships, so it seems like a non-issue to me.
Joe Baker, who doesn't think this matters all that much.