Does Dahon make too many models?
 

Looking that the Dahon Catalog, for the US, Dahon has 23 models (24 if you count the XXV).

There are 33 international models (not counting XXV).

Opinions?

i think they have to have a wide variety of models to suit everyones needs and also they have to produce new models hoping to make more cash and to keep up to the standard of market

Always trying to reinvent the wheel.

LOL. OK, does the number of choices confuse anyone?

yes it does i can choose which to get in my price range :S

Ebay

you think its confusing for you ?
Take a guess what the dealer is doing who wants to have a good selection on hand .... lol

lets see what I have in stock :

Curve D3
Curve SL
Boardwalk S1
Ciao P8
Jetstream P8
Mariner D7
Mu P8
Mu SL
Mu XL Sport
Speed D7
Speed P8
Speed TR
Vitesse D7HG
Glide P8
Cadenza 16 ( only 2007 models in two sizes)
Cadenza 8 Disc
Espresso 3 sizes
Jack only 16 inch
Matrix 3 sizes


pretty crazy actually ...

Speed TT and Mu P 24 is coming end of the month as well as XXV and Flo and Tournado ...


but its all a lot of fun as well....
Thor

No.
Confusing for the dealer, and some customers- well, I can see Thor's point- but whatever you want from a folder, they pretty much have covered. One size doesn't fit all, after all...

Shotgun approach. Have many models, you're going to hit some customers. Discontinue unpopular models.

Did Dahon tell you that the MU P24 wasn't available until the end of July? I have one on order at the LBS shop and they told me sometime in July.

I'm counting the days.

OH and you are getting an XXV? Aren't there only 250 of those being made?

I am getting 3 MU XXV .... I MIGHT get a 4rth one but not sure.... all customer bikes, already paid for...
They will only built 250 ..period .. How I know ? I know at least one of the parts supplier and Dahon has 250 sets on order and not one more .. so even if they want, they will run out of pparts to built more..

MU P 24 is indeed mid of the month towards the third week I suppose...

thor

Does Trek make too many models?

Pretty much just summed it up right there, also like the electric appliance companies they can easily put out more and more "new" models to keep the trend buyers happy.

A little confusing it is but as long as each model is an improvement on an older model or fills a particular need then no harm done.

Originally Posted by jur
Totally agree with that. They need even more market research driving product development to consoloidate the range better. From a business view they aren't probably optimising their bottom line with so many different bikes and development costs. It isn't as if they are merely tweaked models.

Having said that, if Dahon can sustain this product range, given the current growth in the folding bike segment globally, it's great for us consumers and folding bike enthusiasts! It's one of the quirky things about Dahon that they have such a big range and keep bringing out new ones. The new Dahon Curl, if it is realised will be a serious departure from previous models though. I've always thought it was time for Dahon to innovate the folding mechanism more and not just the frame/component configuration of new models.

I see you cover the Jetstream Jur in another thread! I guess Dahon 'slung enough mud at the wall' and some of it stuck on you lol!

well part of the rather larger pallette of bike is the fact that Dahon sells bikes worldwide, but listens to their importer/dealers and does wht they tell them to built.... Some bikes which used to sell lonly in Europe ( like the Chiao or Glide) all of the sudden create so much interest ( and good sales) that Dahon now brings them into the US as well ....
Its like evry other bike company, they have a vision and than display the bikes on a trade show... The dealers placing orders.... the bikes with the most orders will get built..... If the dealers want more diversity, than Dahon will deliver.... really there is no hidden agenda or smokin gun here....

thor