Thread: D3, it's great but is it true sales have been disappointing?

Originally posted by drivesafe
rmp, it’s TV adds they need.

It’s no use advertising on the net or in 4x4 mags.

Most people who buy 4x4 mags already have a mindset and there is very little chance of changing there minds.

Net adverts reach the smallest market and in Australia it’s a very small market.

TV advertising will reach the new comers and with the right type of campaign, they could have an advert set to push both the Toorak Tractor factor based on a vehicle that just so happens to be the best off roader as well.

They couldn’t loose but they aren’t trying.

rmp, when was the last time you saw an LR ad on TV. The last one I saw was not for the D3 but for the RR and I have not seen any ads for the RRS.

And while on it, I obviously like Range Rovers but that TV ad is just crap. It misses the point completely.

Well, I don't watch TV, ever, so if there are any adverts then I wouldn't see them.

Also remember that we, as a) 4WDers and LR enthusiasts are not LR's target market.

LR has a Catch-22 -- limited adveristing budget due to low sales...

Originally posted by Jamo+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jamo)</div><div class='quotemain'>Garry, the D3 ride height is manually adjustable through three levels: Access, Normal & Off-road. It's only extended mode that can't be manually set. Also the DSC can be switched off (absolutely necessary on sand). IF LRA was doing proper marketing then you'd know this.
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Not at all. See, the buyers of LR's target market do *not want to know about this stuff*. They want to point the vehicle and go. They don't want to understand windup, diffs, flex or anything technical. That is why the CDL was deleted in the D2.

People like us, who often go offroad and have an interest in learning more are a minority.

Originally posted by Jamo+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jamo)</div><div class='quotemain'>
It would be really great though, if it was possible to activate the diff locks manually, but there is no car on the market with electronic locks that allows this (I don't know the technical details so maybe it's not possible??)
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It's technically quite possible. I think the Toyota factory lockers are electric.


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I think that the public just need education about electronics.
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Keep an eye on Overlander magazine :-)


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They're good enough to put men on the moon but not good enought for a 4WD??
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They are good enough. The electronic aids in 4WDs have two objective; firstly make it easier to drive, secondly make it more capable. So you have traction control in lieu of articulation, hill descent control in lieu of engine braking etc.

Hi rmp, if your lucky enough to be able to go through life without watching TV then my hats off to you and I’m not slinging off at you, I’m jealous.

Having said that, TV advertising is recognised as the bset way to reach the most people in the shortest amount of time and for this reason, it is the most expensive, but Toyota have got where they are through extensive TV advertising.

A perfect example is their current ad where the guy gets bitten by a snake and if you believe the ad, it’s his toyota that was responsible for him not dying, AS IF.

Hi Garry, I took my 3 year old RR to an advance 4x4 driving course, and after all the LRs took loads of crap all day, at the end of the day there was a social drive around a course.

At the end of the course there was a hill climb that every vehicle, LRs included, turned on to the beginning of the hill, then backed up as far as they could so they could get as much run up as the could and then they all took off as fast as they could and went up the hill as fast as they could so they could get over the top and even then a couple of vehicles didn’t make it first time. All the LRs did do it first time.

I had near bold tyres on the RR and by this time I had had enough of the crap remarks so when my turn came I simply turned onto the beginning of the hill climb and went up it at no more that 10 KPH.

I didn’t back to get a run up and I didn’t thrash it to get up, I just walked up the hill at a leisurely pace and all the way up you could hear the traction control locking and releasing the wheels so they didn’t slip.

The RR just strolled over the top and there was not a word from all the non LR drivers and the LR guys were standing at the top with a thumbs up.

I do not in my wildest dreams consider myself to be a expert off-roader, it was the RR’s onboard electronics that made it so easy and that's a comment I have heard repeatedly when I have been out on runs with our local LR club.

In the 3 years since I bought the RR, LR have made huge advances in the electronics and from what I’ve read form overseas sites, my D3 will leave the RR in it's own dust.

When I learn to drive the D3 properly off road I’ll let you know which is better.

Cheers.

You are correct, the D3 eats the RR offroad. It has better electronics and more articulation. The underbody is well protected and the air suspension is good for extra clearance. I've taken the D3 further offroad than any other new car I've tested.

You're also quite correct about electronic flattering drivers offroad. Very common scenario in driver training -- vehicle with an autos and traction control, driver ends up inching over obstacles, and stopping. Then they rev a little more, the TC kicks in, and along they go. Poor technique. Also, a poor line with wheels in the air can be fixed to some extent by TC.

If drivers really wish to know how to drive offroad they should deactivate their TC and then drive. That'll learn them :-)

RMP Wrote:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>If drivers really wish to know how to drive offroad they should deactivate their TC and then drive. That'll learn them [/b][/quote]

I couldn't agree more Rob......






..... glad you didn't make us do that of the LROC training we did with you ops: ops:

Originally posted by Bytemrk
RMP Wrote:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>If drivers really wish to know how to drive offroad they should deactivate their TC and then drive. That'll learn them

I couldn't agree more Rob......






..... glad you didn't make us do that of the LROC training we did with you ops: ops:[/b][/quote]

Hmmm, you're giving me ideas now :-)

I've got a course coming up in Feb, maybe it'll be Fuses Out for that one!

LOL 8O 8O 8O 8O

Seriously it's not a bad idea..... it is easy for those of us that do have traction aids to easily underestimate some situations.... or over estimate our own abilities...... neither of which is very desirable.

Sorry folks but I bought both the RR and the D3 because of the electronic aids and there is no way I’m turning them off.

Learning to drive with the aids turned off just defeats the very purpose for buying this type of vehicle in the first place and I might add the reason most people would be interested in buying an LR.

If I wanted that sort of thing, I’d go go buy a toy or a missin or some other backward device.

I’ll stick with the advanced electronics.

Cheers