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Some of you may remember the “No Audi” signs at U.S. parking garages at the height of the unintended acceleration craze of the late 80s. In a garage in China, one can see the reverse: Only Audis, other cars go elsewhere.
The Audi-only parking was seen by Carnewschina seen in the gigantic underground parking of Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital Airport. According to a guard the owner of the lot does some revenue-enhancement with branded parking space. BMW and Benz will be next. Chery or Geely, move on.
(If I would have suggested something like this in Wolfsburg, I would have been declared insane.)
14 Comments on “Only In China: Branded Parking Space...”
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Certain stadia and performing arts centers in the US also have these sections; Lexus, for example, sponsors some arenas, so they have priority parking areas for Lexii.
There was free parking for Mercedes cars this years US Open.
I’ll admit, I was jealous.
I always thought the Lexus lot outside the stadium in Atlanta was a good marketing idea.
There is Lexus-only parking at Nationals Park in Washington, as well.
I think it’s a great way to make your customers and your company seem like the biggest snobs in the world.
You’re right on. Exclusivity is a horrible marketing tactic. That’s why you never see long lines outside popular nightclubs and hot new restaurants never have three hour wait lists. People never want to join selective clubs of any kind. It’s just not like us to strive for things we don’t have. We’re above all that.
I think ott’s point still stands. Those that don’t get into those clubs and resaurants might tend to surmise that those who are escorted to the front of the line are snobs and thus associate that establishment with being snobby.
However, if given the chance, they themselves would likely take it.
I agree that if you can afford to shun a large portion of the overall market, exclusivity can really work to your brands’ advantage.
Maybe it’s snobbery, but a lot of it is convenience too. If I had a Lexus, I’d be more likely to go to a place with special Lexus parking lot, as it’d be easier to find parking there.
Since Audis are popular with communist party bosses, could it be related?
I`ll slap “the 4 rings” on a Yema F16 and park it there too. They won`t know the difference.
Must make it easier for the thieves when you have a big gigantic sign that says: “Rob here”.
Don’t the unionized auto plants in America also have segregated paring lots for union-made caras (ie. domestics) and non-union cars?
I know of several Detroit 3 facilities that give preferred parking to their own specific products, not necessarily UAW/CAW assembled though.
I could see that at a UAW/CAW hall, but I’ve never actually been in one.
The description read “reserved parking for Audi owners”. Can someone park a Lexus there, if he also owns an Audi?
Shouldn’t it read “reserved parking for Audi” instead?