Proof that Isuzu actively supported limited VX sales?

[RickOKC]

I did a lot of obsessive reading before I bought my VX and read a LOT of stuff. Possibly at least HALF of that was typical sloppy journalism - aka WRONG - but here is the IMPRESSION I was left with:

The concept was enough of a hit at the 1993 shows that Isuzu wanted to make it a reality - and expecting it wouldn't "be for everybody" they may have used it as a test for some experimentation. Their engineers indicated they could probably get about 6000 stamps out of the unique ceramic / concrete-filled dies that cost about 1/3 of the price of traditional steel dies and somebody said, "Let's see if you're right." They also wanted the VX to go from concept to production quickly so the other part of the experiment was to bypass a lot of red tape and several levels of repetitive management that might hinder progress so the VX was assigned to a much smaller team. All that worked, the VX became reality quickly and the brains were proved to be accurate regarding the number of reliable stamps they could get out of the dies.

The final product was kinda pricey although and had some nice features, but wasn't exactly enticing enough to justify the price to the general public who test drove it. Had it been a mega-hit, Isuzu probably would have said, "Let's make some more traditional dies and mass produce" but that didn't happen.

Let the heckling begin: I not only briefly worked as a salesman for a car dealership, I worked for the sleaziest company in town. I have seen how a dealer will boost the price for a low production vehicle, just to draw people into the showroom to see something "special." In my case it was the last generation Thunderbird. Sometimes a dealer will hang on to something a little too long and suddenly the "market adjustment price" - $5000 - $15000 over MSRP - can no longer be supported and they dump the price below MSRP just to get the thing off the lot. Example: A guy I met at a car show Saturday said a local dealer offered to sell him a 2001 Ironman for $25k in 2003.

Anyway, all that could be wrong, but it's the impression I was left with.

[Ldub]

I did a lot of obsessive reading before I bought my VX and read a LOT of stuff. Possibly at least HALF of that was typical sloppy journalism - aka WRONG - but here is the IMPRESSION I was left with:

The concept was enough of a hit at the 1993 shows that Isuzu wanted to make it a reality - and expecting it wouldn't "be for everybody" they may have used it as a test for some experimentation. Their engineers indicated they could probably get about 6000 stamps out of the unique ceramic / concrete-filled dies that cost about 1/3 of the price of traditional steel dies and somebody said, "Let's see if you're right." They also wanted the VX to go from concept to production quickly so the other part of the experiment was to bypass a lot of red tape and several levels of repetitive management that might hinder progress so the VX was assigned to a much smaller team. All that worked, the VX became reality quickly and the brains were proved to be accurate regarding the number of reliable stamps they could get out of the dies.

The final product was kinda pricey although and had some nice features, but wasn't exactly enticing enough to justify the price to the general public who test drove it. Had it been a mega-hit, Isuzu probably would have said, "Let's make some more traditional dies and mass produce" but that didn't happen.

Let the heckling begin: I not only briefly worked as a salesman for a car dealership, I worked for the sleaziest company in town. I have seen how a dealer will boost the price for a low production vehicle, just to draw people into the showroom to see something "special." In my case it was the last generation Thunderbird. Sometimes a dealer will hang on to something a little too long and suddenly the "market adjustment price" - $5000 - $15000 over MSRP - can no longer be supported and they dump the price below MSRP just to get the thing off the lot. Example: A guy I met at a car show Saturday said a local dealer offered to sell him a 2001 Ironman for $25k in 2003.

Anyway, all that could be wrong, but it's the impression I was left with.

Clear as water to me...

If the dead horse needed an "I", instead of an "X"...they woulda made more...

Good point Rick, & Jo, 4 an excellent analogy...

I'm wondering why the master of marketing has NO response to it...

Perhaps... WAY book smart...not so functional in real world apps...

[blacksambo]

The final product was kinda pricey although and had some nice features, but wasn't exactly enticing enough to justify the price to the general public who test drove it. Had it been a mega-hit, Isuzu probably would have said, "Let's make some more traditional dies and mass produce" but that didn't happen.

Thanks for venturing your impression I'm certain there is truth to it. The high price was indeed an issue ( along with other factors).

[Ldub]

The final product was kinda pricey although and had some nice features, but wasn't exactly enticing enough to justify the price to the general public who test drove it. Had it been a mega-hit, Isuzu probably would have said, "Let's make some more traditional dies and mass produce" but that didn't happen.

Thanks for venturing your impression I'm certain there is truth to it. The high price was indeed an issue ( along with other factors).

Soooo...as a marketing genius, the "quote" function is outta your grasp?...

[RickOKC]

Thanks for venturing your impression I'm certain there is truth to it. The high price was indeed an issue ( along with other factors).

Ha ha... like I said, I may be COMPLETELY wrong about all this (I'd be a little crazy to think everything I found online was absolute FACT.) I just ventured my best guess based on all the stuff I'd read. If nothing else, I'd think any owner can honestly recognize the shortfalls and realize that lots of people wouldn't fall in love with the VX despite it's little imperfections.

[circmand]

Example: A guy I met at a car show Saturday said a local dealer offered to sell him a 2001 Ironman for $25k in 2003.

Anyway, all that could be wrong, but it's the impression I was left with.

I bought a 2001 Proton in 2002 for $23,995. At the time we were dickering on the price I did an internet search and found 60 NEW Vehicrosses for sale around the country for $23,995. Given that the 2003 year model vehicles were coming out making a 2001 2 years old you have to allow for the fact the sales just weren't there

[blacksambo]

I bought a 2001 Proton in 2002 for $23,995. At the time we were dickering on the price I did an internet search and found 60 NEW Vehicrosses for sale around the country for $23,995. Given that the 2003 year model vehicles were coming out making a 2001 2 years old you have to allow for the fact the sales just weren't there

Well, you have to ask "why" questions about the sales not being there. Here's one idea: 1999 marked the end of the Astral Silver paint color. They sold 1024 in this color. It accounted for approx half of total year one sales. Far and away out selling either the black or white paint colors (the black they kept alive through 2001). Why eliminate your far and away best color seller??? It makes no sense??? (Once again, it appears that Isuzu didn't seriously care about marketing this vehicle, from any vantage point, whether it was price or features.)

[RickOKC]

I bought a 2001 Proton in 2002 for $23,995. At the time we were dickering on the price I did an internet search and found 60 NEW Vehicrosses for sale around the country for $23,995.

Wowee... that was a GREAT deal! Congrats, Circ!

Well, you have to ask "why" questions about the sales not being there. Here's one idea: 1999 marked the end of the Astral Silver paint color. They sold 1024 in this color. It accounted for approx half of total year one sales. Far and away out selling either the black or white paint colors (the black they kept alive through 2001). Why eliminate your far and away best color seller??? It makes no sense??? (Once again, it appears that Isuzu didn't seriously care about marketing this vehicle, from any vantage point, whether it was price or features.)

When I was shopping, Astral was my preferred choice!

[circmand]

Well, you have to ask "why" questions about the sales not being there. Here's one idea: 1999 marked the end of the Astral Silver paint color. They sold 1024 in this color. It accounted for approx half of total year one sales. Far and away out selling either the black or white paint colors (the black they kept alive through 2001). Why eliminate your far and away best color seller??? It makes no sense??? (Once again, it appears that Isuzu didn't seriously care about marketing this vehicle, from any vantage point, whether it was price or features.)

You cant fix stupid