Chuck-
The automotive example is a great one to use, and perhaps one that Campagnolo could learn from. If they studied the motivating factors behind consumer brand loyalty, they'd find that in most categories there are many psychographic "sub-groups" that are drawn to certain manufacturers for a variety of reasons. Campagnolo is leaving money on the table and is not exploiting an entire segment of their potential customer base. Has anyone ever seen the spare parts (OEM, I might add) for the Porsche 911? Does Porsche say, "we don't want you using your '84 Carrera because we don't want the old cars running around..." I don't think so.
I love Campagnolo, but believe if thats the way their marketing team thinks, than they should re-think their strategy. In the cycling world and beyond, Campagnolo has incredible, iconic brand equity that could be further extended with the creation of a classic parts catalog.
Chris Arkell Bloomfield Hills, MI
>From: Chuck Schmidt <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>
>Reply-To: chuckschmidt@earthlink.net
>To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
>Subject: Re: [CR] Asking Manufactures to remanufacture older sought
>afterbicycle compotents
>Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2004 22:14:36 -0800
>
>
>In a casual conversation with a Campagnolo executive, I mentioned making
>available the gum brake hoods.
>
>I used the example of BMW. BMW has a division called "Mobile Tradition".
>The charter of this division is to help BMW owners keep older model BMW
>cars on the road and functioning properly. BMW corporate thinking is
>that it's good for BMW's image if their older cars can still be seen
>driving around.
>
>His response was that Campagnolo didn't want old Campagnolo equipped
>bikes to be ridden. The reasoning was that the aluminum parts would
>eventually break and they didn't want to encourage the riding of old
>bikes for safety reasons.
>
>Chuck Schmidt
>South Pasadena, Southern California
>
>.