Shorter R8 wait list with current US economy???

[mdc]

With current economy, do you think the wait list will be shorter? I put my name/deposit in July, quoted time frame was 1.5 to 2 years. Anyone seeing the demand is slowing down, and also impact on pre-own R8?

[wedouglas]

With current economy, do you think the wait list will be shorter? I put my name/deposit in July, quoted time frame was 1.5 to 2 years. Anyone seeing the demand is slowing down, and also impact on pre-own R8?

I find that people who can afford an R8 can still afford it with this economy. The wealthy may lose money, but they are still wealthy.

[imclueless]

It was mentioned on this forum that they don't make a huge amount in the USA with the poor dollar/euro rate so supply isn't likely to increase hugely

[Rob A]

Europe and the rest of the world are getting hit quite hard also.

While the wealthy will still be able to afford an R8, some well-off people are going from riches to rags as we speak, so there may be less demand. No idea how to quantify that though.

[wolfie]

I think there is no doubt that some people will walk away from their orders and others may even put their cars up for sale. WSJ today reported that every car manufacturer has incurred double digit sales decreases in September and YTD. Porsche is down 44.8% (Sept 07 vs Sept 08) and 19.8% YTD. Audi reports under VW which is only down 1% YTD.

To the comment that the wealthy are still wealthy, Ferrari YTD sales are UP 6.1% but mind you that is based on about 3,000 cars per year. Maybach on the other hand is down 26% YTD with about 320 sales per year.

Interesting article.

[SFR8]

I really don't think this will have much impact in the US at all because we are talking about a USD $120k to $140k car (before tax) depending on trim level and in low volume (annual global production of approx 5,000 R8 with US getting say 1,500 [30%] at max).

A $120k to $140k car is within reach and 1,500 cars per year is really not that much. Unless you are in finance or your business drops 80% or so, it is not going to impact your economic resource that much.

[Axxlrod]

I think we are going to see many people who ordered their cars 1+ years ago cancel their order due to the changes in the economy. Yes there are many rich people who are not impacted and will still buy, but there are many who were planning on stepping up from standard Porsche 911's, and now buying a $150K car isn't a prudent thing to do.

Since the R8 is such a low volume car, I'm sure the dealers won't have too much problem finding buyers for the cars with cancelled orders. This means that there will be many "open orders" and cars available without waiting 2+ years.

[krpman]

With current economy, do you think the wait list will be shorter? I put my name/deposit in July, quoted time frame was 1.5 to 2 years. Anyone seeing the demand is slowing down, and also impact on pre-own R8?

Where did you order? Do you have the confirmation information?

[wedouglas]

I think there is no doubt that some people will walk away from their orders and others may even put their cars up for sale. WSJ today reported that every car manufacturer has incurred double digit sales decreases in September and YTD. Porsche is down 44.8% (Sept 07 vs Sept 08) and 19.8% YTD. Audi reports under VW which is only down 1% YTD.

To the comment that the wealthy are still wealthy, Ferrari YTD sales are UP 6.1% but mind you that is based on about 3,000 cars per year. Maybach on the other hand is down 26% YTD with about 320 sales per year.

Interesting article.

I think the difference between Maybach and Ferrari is huge. Maybach has never been particularly successful, and I they haven't had a new car in ages. Ferrari has more cars in more price ranges.

[Conker]

Waiting time has recently shortened in the UK

I ordered mine in October 2007 and it arrived August this year despite a quoted waiting time of 16 months

My Dealer tells me waiting time is now being quoted at 12 months but he expects cars to come through earlier than that