Trims & Categories (The 99-Trim Problem)

General Chat Suggestions
1

My idea: Only allow one model/trim, from manufacturer, per each category.

Different Models and Trims are for filling a certain need anyways. So it would be simple, logical and realistic.

Here’s Ford’s example. They are all Mondeo’s, they are all 4door sedans, they are all petrol engines and they are all from 2014:

1.0 Ecoboost 125hp
1.5 Ecoboost 160hp
1.5 Ecoboost 160hp Automatic
2.0 Ecoboost 203hp
2.0 Ecoboost 240hp

So that’s the real world example. Where would you fit all of those listed above, in current categories shown in the video, without two or more of them falling in the same category?

That said, we need more categories. Maybe with more emphasis on prize?

Also, the game should start with less categories, and that number would increase when the time progresses.

EDIT: Added the fact that those cars listed are also all petrol engines.

2

Most segments are already divided in 3+ categories, which are budget, normal and premium.

As for you example, while those are all mondeo’s, so they are all mid-sized sedans, they are still fairly different due to their engine power and interiors.

The large amount of buyer groups does help make those differences matter.

For example, the 240hp version would definitively get some buyers in the “Fun” demographic, as it is a car that is both practical and fairly fun, with a decent amount of horsepower. Because it is an upscale trim, it would also get sales in the “Premium Budget” trim.

The 125hp and 160hp versions would probably get decent sales amongst the commuter and family groups, as they are comfortable, cheap to run and practical.

An other good example I could make is the Fiesta.

1.0 Ecoboost fits very well in the “City Eco” category, with some sales in “Commuter Budget” as well.

1.3/1.6 Versions would fit in the “City” category, with the higher end trims being “City Premium”

And the Fiesta ST is probably the best example on the current market of a car that would sell well in the “Fun Budget” category.

Edit: To add one thing to my post. The categories listed are buyer categories, who attribute a certain weight to various stats, like the buyer groups in Der Bayer’s BRC. Because of this, most cars will probably end up getting sales in multiple different groups.

3

Yeah, ok…

But the idea was: Only allow one model/trim, from manufacturer, per each category. In this case, we could use more buyer categories, and maybe tie them more closely with prize. Then there could be more point to make 1.8l and 2.0l trims of your car, without them ending in the same category.

EDIT: Now I of course have no idea, about how many different trims the devs would like to see people to make out of their family car, in let’s say in the game year of 2014. That was just an example with the Mondeo. However, if there is no problem with many cars of the same manufacturer, falling in the same category. Then I think we could actually streamline even the current amount of 60 categories to go down a bit, and take it from there. But if understood correctly, that’s exactly what the 99-Trim problem is, manufacturer pumping cars to the exact same category.

4

Not quite, the problem is duplicating the exact same car to increase your sales rate.
Whereas having slightly different trims (say a 1.4L and a 1.4LX which is a 1.4L with alloys) could end up mainly in the same category, just the LX sales may spill over into another group also.

5

Well actually, I did understand it quite clearly then, and as you can see, my idea would erase that problem. Also, not quite sure if I would want to play a car company tycoon game, that would reward me for duplicating a trim just for alloy wheels… But that’s just me, and like I said, I have no idea of how many trims the devs are aiming for, like for 2014 family car.

Sometimes less options, is more enjoyment.

6

BTW, what’s the “spill over into another group”? I do understand what you mean with it, its just that has this “spilling over into another group” been confirmed?

7

I wonder if there’s a way to incorporate something similar to what actual manufacturers do – set a production target, and then set percentages of expected sales of X trim. So your max sales for a model is your production target.

That might just turn it into a 99 models problem, though.

8

[quote=“FordManFromHell”]

BTW, what’s the “spill over into another group”? I do understand what you mean with it, its just that has this “spilling over into another group” been confirmed?[/quote]

It has been stated in one of the Beta Tester Forum that a vehicle can get sales in more than one category.

99 models would be more expensive as you will need to setup additional production facilities. The Current idea is one “factory” can produce all variants of one model, but not multiple models. Pretty sure you’d run out of money before you got near to 99 Factories all producing the same thing.

9

Ok, I didnt know this, but it sounds reasonable. Still my idea could work, since a Trim would still be MOSTLY in one category, even though it might have some sells in other categories too. The problem however is, that the current amount of categories would probably have to at least double for it to not to limit too much.

10

No, one trim will be overlapping with 10s of target demographics if it is a good car! So no, that would not work.

11

I was thinking… What if the “overlap of demographics” given by similar trims instead of “stacking” all the people in that area summing them, the game divide this overlap by the number of trims simulating the “cannibalization” of similar trims on the martket?
I hope I’ve explained myself…