Non-base engine in Japanese cars?
Apr 3, 2019, 9:10 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: SNA
Programs: WoH Globalist, Wait I have an Ambassador?, National Exe. Elite, AA Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 41
Non-base engine in Japanese cars?
Has anybody seen any V6 Camry, 2.5T Mazda 6, 2.0T Altima, or any Japanese cars with the upgraded engine option? Does National even order them?
I remember seeing a couple V6 Altimas popping up every now and then, but I haven't seen any since the 2019 redesign.
I remember seeing a couple V6 Altimas popping up every now and then, but I haven't seen any since the 2019 redesign.
Apr 5, 2019, 7:28 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: SNA
Programs: WoH Globalist, Wait I have an Ambassador?, National Exe. Elite, AA Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 41
Have had Maxima before. Pretty much the only "practical" car I drive when I rent with National. But driving the same car over and over again gets a little old so I'm looking for some variety
Because they seem to have disappeared from the aisles and I am curious as to why?
Of the cars commonly found in EA/ES these days, Korean cars are dead to me, American cars have Camaro SS, Challenger R/T, and Charger R/T, Japanese cars, on the other hand, seem to only come with base engines
Because they seem to have disappeared from the aisles and I am curious as to why?
Of the cars commonly found in EA/ES these days, Korean cars are dead to me, American cars have Camaro SS, Challenger R/T, and Charger R/T, Japanese cars, on the other hand, seem to only come with base engines
Apr 5, 2019, 10:39 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Until about ten years ago U.S. rental fleets (at corporate locations, anyway) were nearly filled with 'program' cars: return them in 12-18 months with not more than xx,xxx miles for a guaranteed price. Now the rental companies need to buy outright a lot more vehicles. They pay attention to depreciation and remarketing opportunities. They buy what people want to buy used. That's 4-cylinder Camrys and Altimas, not V-6s. The fraction of V-6 Camrys sold by Toyota is low and has been falling. (The V-6 Altima was killed with the latest redesign.)
If you don't want Korean, don't want American faux-muscle V-6s, and don't want base engine Japanese, be prepared to spend a lot of money for German 4-cyl turbo.
If you don't want Korean, don't want American faux-muscle V-6s, and don't want base engine Japanese, be prepared to spend a lot of money for German 4-cyl turbo.
Apr 5, 2019, 12:15 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,705
Because they seem to have disappeared from the aisles and I am curious as to why?
Of the cars commonly found in EA/ES these days, Korean cars are dead to me, American cars have Camaro SS, Challenger R/T, and Charger R/T, Japanese cars, on the other hand, seem to only come with base engines
Of the cars commonly found in EA/ES these days, Korean cars are dead to me, American cars have Camaro SS, Challenger R/T, and Charger R/T, Japanese cars, on the other hand, seem to only come with base engines
Meanwhile some "American" cars are made abroad - Fusion in Mexico, EcoSport in India, 300 and Challenger in Canada.
Apr 5, 2019, 12:57 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: SNA
Programs: WoH Globalist, Wait I have an Ambassador?, National Exe. Elite, AA Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 41
I guess that answers that. Thanks!
Dude, I think you are missing the point of my question. I don't really give two hoots about where the cars are made, or even the country of the origin of the manufactures. If you look at the first post, I listed Nissan, Mazda, and Toyota, all three of whom happened to be Japanese brands. I mentioned "any other Japanese cars" because I have seen a few Mitsubishi and Honda every once in a blue moon. Charger, Challenger, and Camaro happened to be made by Dodge and Chevy, which is why I lumped them into "American cars". The two brands I absolutely refuse to touch, KIA and Hyundai, happen to be Korean brands, thus "Korean cars"
I really don't know why you seem to be so obsessed with this whole "country" thing
Most of the "Japanese" and "Korean" cars are built in America - Altima, Camry, Maxima, Sonata, Optima, etc. are all made in the USA along with most Japanese-brand SUVs.
Meanwhile some "American" cars are made abroad - Fusion in Mexico, EcoSport in India, 300 and Challenger in Canada.
Meanwhile some "American" cars are made abroad - Fusion in Mexico, EcoSport in India, 300 and Challenger in Canada.
I really don't know why you seem to be so obsessed with this whole "country" thing
Apr 5, 2019, 4:40 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: National Exec, HA Pualani Gold
Posts: 599
This is just my speculation since I don’t work in the rental car or automotive industry, but trim level distribution is likely dictated by the manufacturer. Higher trims = higher selling price and (likely) higher margin.
It’s a balance. In the past, manufacturers, particularly the domestics, would take those fleet sales because they were chasing unit sales. And if the fleet buyer wanted all base trims in white and silver? Sure. They were chasing units, not margin.
Now that some of them are focusing on profitability and actually celebrating fewer fleet sales, they may be telling the rental car fleet buyers — sure, we can provide 10,000 Fusions and here’s the mix you need to purchase: so many SE, so many Hybrid, so many Titanium, etc.
It’s a balance. In the past, manufacturers, particularly the domestics, would take those fleet sales because they were chasing unit sales. And if the fleet buyer wanted all base trims in white and silver? Sure. They were chasing units, not margin.
Now that some of them are focusing on profitability and actually celebrating fewer fleet sales, they may be telling the rental car fleet buyers — sure, we can provide 10,000 Fusions and here’s the mix you need to purchase: so many SE, so many Hybrid, so many Titanium, etc.
Apr 6, 2019, 1:40 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,705
Dude, I think you are missing the point of my question. I don't really give two hoots about where the cars are made, or even the country of the origin of the manufactures. If you look at the first post, I listed Nissan, Mazda, and Toyota, all three of whom happened to be Japanese brands. I mentioned "any other Japanese cars" because I have seen a few Mitsubishi and Honda every once in a blue moon. Charger, Challenger, and Camaro happened to be made by Dodge and Chevy, which is why I lumped them into "American cars". The two brands I absolutely refuse to touch, KIA and Hyundai, happen to be Korean brands, thus "Korean cars"
I really don't know why you seem to be so obsessed with this whole "country" thing
I really don't know why you seem to be so obsessed with this whole "country" thing
Apr 9, 2019, 6:35 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
I guess that answers that. Thanks!
Dude, I think you are missing the point of my question. I don't really give two hoots about where the cars are made, or even the country of the origin of the manufactures. If you look at the first post, I listed Nissan, Mazda, and Toyota, all three of whom happened to be Japanese brands. I mentioned "any other Japanese cars" because I have seen a few Mitsubishi and Honda every once in a blue moon. Charger, Challenger, and Camaro happened to be made by Dodge and Chevy, which is why I lumped them into "American cars". The two brands I absolutely refuse to touch, KIA and Hyundai, happen to be Korean brands, thus "Korean cars"
I really don't know why you seem to be so obsessed with this whole "country" thing
Dude, I think you are missing the point of my question. I don't really give two hoots about where the cars are made, or even the country of the origin of the manufactures. If you look at the first post, I listed Nissan, Mazda, and Toyota, all three of whom happened to be Japanese brands. I mentioned "any other Japanese cars" because I have seen a few Mitsubishi and Honda every once in a blue moon. Charger, Challenger, and Camaro happened to be made by Dodge and Chevy, which is why I lumped them into "American cars". The two brands I absolutely refuse to touch, KIA and Hyundai, happen to be Korean brands, thus "Korean cars"
I really don't know why you seem to be so obsessed with this whole "country" thing