Nick26 said:
Thats a pretty bold statement... wouldn't getting your lexus serviced next to someones corolla by the same guy who works on 15k toyotas be the exact same thing?
Yes it would, thats why when they brought the Lexus models to America they created another brand. They sell all the Lexus cars and trucks exactly as they are, at the same price brackets in Japan as Toyotas, right alongside Corollas. The Japanese don't have the need for affluence Americans have. Actually that will be no more in Japan as of next year as they are introducing the Lexus brand there.
If my Lexus were a Toyota Celsior (what they call it in Japan) and it were sold and serviced in normal Toyota dealers (as the Phaeton is in VW dealers) No I most certainly would not drive one, I would probably be in a BMW or Mercedes now. I just never would have even bothered to look at a Toyota Celsior, as I never bothered to look at a Volkswagen Phaeton when I bought my new car in October. It could be the best car on earth, no Volkswagen is going to take sales away from actual luxury cars.
Most Toyota dealers WILL service Lexuses if you want them to, they can service them but Lexus has completely seperate (and MUCH nicer) dealerships and service facilities. The Phaeton does not, it is sold and serviced at normal VW dealers. There's nowhere special to take it.
This is just your experience with one VW/Mazda/Oldsmobile dealer, I don't think its fair to assume that VW doesn't offer luxury service anyway just because you went to some partial vw dealer.
But VW doesn't deliver luxury service, you wouldn't expect them too. VW isn't a luxury car company, their service experience is similar to owning any other average car, Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota. Sure there can be nice dealerships, but its not the same as having an entirely dedicated and specialized brand and dealership fleet. Even the best Ford dealer doesn't compare to a Lexus dealership, they're just totally different things geared to a totally different type of consumer. I'm not being elitist when I say that someone that has not owned a luxury car won't understand the difference or why its important. You can also look at the JD Power Dealership satisfaction award, all the luxury brands are near the top, VW is near or at the bottom. Lexus is usually #1, much higher than Toyota itself. That means luxury car owners LIKE their fancy dealerships.
I'm not saying its a bad thing, I'm just saying I think VW is over their head with this concept. I did look up the sales and sales of the Phaeton have been slower than expected. The Toureg sells quite well though and its pricy, but not as pricy.
Think about it this way. If they sold a steak at Applebees that was every bit as good as a steak at Mortons or the Capital Grille do you think the people that eat at those fancy, high dollar, high image steakhouses would go eat at applebees instead? The actual tangible product is the same (the steak, like the car) or even better, but the experience is completely different and cannot even compare.
Would I eat there instead of Mortons? No way. Thats because having dinner at Mortons is an EXPERIENCE, its not just about eating a great steak. Owning a luxury car is an experience, its not just about driving a great car. Its an experience not everyone may wish to have, but all the data coming back from luxury car owners shows that its an experience people that fork out between $40-100k for luxury cars really care about.
okay, lets all calm down. Sit back and relax. Some of us have other views on how a dealership should treat their customers, I used to work for Toyota and it was a marginal experience for the customers. Luxuary cars should be a diff/ experience from what a every day ride is. But sometimes those luxo cars will find their way to a technicion that might work a VW Jetta. But as long as they all get the job done I'll take my X to a Tech, that would work on a Hyundia Santafe, As long is the job is done right and Cooter from the dukes of hazzard isnt working on mine, in a scuzzy shop I have faith that the job and franchise of the dealer is good! 
Just my 2cents worth,,
