The New Definition Of A Luxury Car

[Bruce Nunnally]

In coming years a high-priced, prestigious car won't mean mainly big and roomy. It's just as likely to be small--and green.

We all know what a luxury car should be: Long, roomy, a big V8 or even V12, lots of electronics. Picture a Mercedes E or S Class, the BMW 7 Series, the Audi 8 or big Lexus or Cadillac. Or even a Lincoln Town Car.

But that's an old definition. Nowadays, it's the brand that counts, so luxury may be a smaller Mercedes C Class or BMW 3 Series or Cadillac CTS. Still, they're not cheap; one of these will cost $40,000.

But there will be a broader definition of luxury or prestige tomorrow, because times are changing again. We are creating new markers to show that we are rich enough, and that we are caring enough, to spend thousands of dollars in the "green" cause. It's quite possible, even likely, that tomorrow's luxury or prestige car will be quite different, and open the door to new competition, too.

Read More: http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/17/luxury-ca...utos-flint.html