Can a racing program be bad for a manufacturer?

[Baigu]

I'm watching Le Mans and It got be wondering why not many car company are involved? Audi and Peugeot dominate their class, same for the LMP2 Porsche, but you don't have to win in order for your racing program to pay off in the showrooms on Monday?

I think Le Mans would be PERFECT for a company like KIA. They have a crappy image of building cheap cars with poor reliability. Their racing program is mainly the Dakar rally and maybe some local touring car series in various countries. If they did like Mazda and use a Lola chasis and build a engine around it, wouldn't that help them sell cars around the world even if they can compete against Audi or Peugeot? It can't really hurt their image.

What do you guys think? Can a racing program be bad for a company?

[anthonyvop]

While it may not hurt the question is can it help?

Why spend big $$$$ for a demo that might not be their target?

Why do you think Honda is in the IRL yet they market their Acura brand in the ALMS?

[Baigu]

While it may not hurt the question is can it help?

Why spend big $$$$ for a demo that might not be their target?

Why do you think Honda is in the IRL yet they market their Acura brand in the ALMS?

I think the 24 hours of Le Mans as a wider target audience than the ALMS even if they are the same. I think the same applies to most major races in the world.

The advantage about the Le Mans race is that it can be a one off race for a manufacturer, you don't have to commit for the entire season like Monaco and Indy.

[anthonyvop]

I think the 24 hours of Le Mans as a wider target audience than the ALMS even if they are the same. I think the same applies to most major races in the world.

The advantage about the Le Mans race is that it can be a one off race for a manufacturer, you don't have to commit for the entire season like Monaco and Indy.

There was a time where you could commit to Indy Alone. Now a Manufacturer, as a team, cannot commit to Indy at all

[Gomer Simpson]

Why do you think Honda is in the IRL yet they market their Acura brand in the ALMS?

Do they?

[use2know]

I'm watching Le Mans and It got be wondering why not many car company are involved?

"Not many car company are involved".....?????

Wow... not sure where that one comes from...

Peugeot
Audi
Aston Martin
Porsche
Corvette
Ferrari
Mazda
Lamborghini

8 commercially available nameplates...
(not including the specialty/boutique stuff of course)

IMHO, that's a tad more that "not many"... But I confuse easily....

[NoviVespa]

"Not many car company are involved".....?????

Wow... not sure where that one comes from...

Peugeot
Audi
Aston Martin
Porsche
Corvette
Ferrari
Mazda
Lamborghini

8 commercially available nameplates...
(not including the specialty/boutique stuff of course)

IMHO, that's a tad more that "not many"... But I confuse easily....

Looking at the list, seems pretty much European makes.

Those makes are looking at selling "performance" cars. Companies like Saturn, Kia, Subaru, are trying to seel comfort and economy. "Performance" is not part of their vision.

[bkeske]

To be competitive at Le Mans cost a bunch'o money. And you will not get much exposure by being a back-marker.

Did anyone notice the Spyker today? They beat every one of the GT2 Porsches, but finished behind most all the Ferrari's. Regardless, Porsche still received attention because they have dominated in the past, and qualified well.

[Jakester]

Those makes are looking at selling "performance" cars. Companies like Saturn, Kia, Subaru, are trying to seel comfort and economy. "Performance" is not part of their vision.

Saturn Sky/Sky Redline, Vue Redline

Subaru WRX/WRX STI, Legacy GT Spec B

[anthonyvop]

Looking at the list, seems pretty much European makes.

More car companies were involved in LeMans this year than those involved with IndyCar, NASCAR and F-1 combined.

Apparently the Auto Manufacturers think LeMans racing(LMS & ALMS) is more important than any other series.

For some reason you have an issue with European makes. Like it makes a difference.
I will remind you that for 5 of those brands(Audi, Aston Martin, Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini) the US is their biggest or 2nd biggest market.

Those makes are looking at selling "performance" cars. Companies like Saturn, Kia, Subaru, are trying to seel comfort and economy. "Performance" is not part of their vision.

If Saturn wasn't looking into selling performance then why did they field a factory drift car?

Kia entered a car in the 24hrs of Nurburgring .


And if you don't know that Subaru sells performance then why are you here?

[jcolbert]

The question with your two examples is whether (and how much) factory support either of those two received from their respective manufacturers. I recall ten or eleven years ago Volkswagen being a little pissed that somebody had entered one of the then-new beetles in the 24 hours of Nurburgring without their blessings.

[Jakester]

Don't know for sure, but I'd hazard a guess that the Kia logos on nose and winshield are an indicator that the Nurbrurging entry at least had Kia's blessing.

[anthonyvop]

The question with your two examples is whether (and how much) factory support either of those two received from their respective manufacturers. I recall ten or eleven years ago Volkswagen being a little pissed that somebody had entered one of the then-new beetles in the 24 hours of Nurburgring without their blessings.

The Saturn was a fully funded Factory Effort. The Kia effort was sponsored by Kia and given tech support.

Many manufacturers out-source their racing efforts.