Originally Posted by Drakonis GTR

A lot of this thinking is because America for a long time dealt only with the Big 3; GM, Ford, and Chrysler, all of which had multiple brands that were acquired over the years and then turned into the brand tiers that we are all familiar with. The low level/economy market (Chevy, Ford, Plymouth), the mid tiers (Buick, Mercury, Dodge), and the up-scale tiers (Cadillac, Lincoln, and Chrysler) all allowed them to hit each market segment and still ultimately pick up the money. Then the other countries show up, and find themselves facing competition on almost every level. Is it truly such a surprise that they would inevitably decide that if it works, why not try it?

What is funny though is your thought that only American's feel this way. A number of European companies also practice this logic within their own bases. Audi, for example, is used by Volkswagen as their up-scale, snob level brand. And, while perhaps a more extreme example, Maybach is used by Mercedes as their super up-scale Rolls Royce competitor. Even Italian Fiat does this, using Alfa Romeo and Lancia (and getting their little cut from Ferrari) to hit the higher markets while keeping their house brand at more wallet-friendly levels. One can argue that they got this attitude from the "Americans", but the fact of the matter is that it works in other countries as well. It doesn't matter as much in Japan, simply because the Japanese don't care as much about a car's name as they do about it's performance.