Quote:
Originally Posted by DSOmegaX
Because what is considered a "success" for a product is defined by more than just the sales number. Its weighed against the overall cost that it took to develop the product, the cost to make each car (and not just materials, but labor, facilities, services, etc.), and probably the most important indicator: what the shareholders define profitability for the vehicle. It may have sold more units than the Miata, but that's because Mazda sets the sales expectations for that car pretty low, and they've been building the car for so long that ratio between profit and cost is high.
If I sold a product for $31 but it costs me $30 for every unit sold, I better damn well sell a lot if I want to claim its profitable. It's the same boat with Toyota/Subaru right now.
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I am no businessman so correct me if I am wrong. There is a certain market for "specialized/sports/niche" vehicles. I feel certain the educated people developing this car understood that. The miata is the most affordable, RWD, sports care available. Disregarding that, it was a known fact prototypes of our car were routinely seen bench-marking against caymans.
hmmm.....
I don't think the engineers and businessman are stupid. I think they knew if they could produce a vehicle with as close as possible Porsche handling AND near miata price point and power, they would had an EASY success.
Seems like they have achieved that, what do you think?