MKW:
There is a simple reason : they couldn't care less how we in the West view this egg on wheels car , this thing is made specifically for the " booming " Chinese auto market which if not already , will be for the next several decades the largest in units sold in the world , and where there is no tradition of statement " driver's cars " but only of statement " party official " cars , so it's about being seen ( driven) in the BACK of the car . We are 4th to 6th generation drivers . They are first generation , as if it's 1915 . In another 1/2 generation that will change .
Pretty good points, Chinese is probably Panamera's primary market, we are just the afterthoughts. This can also explain why the Panamera is priced so high, cause in China, they perceive quality with price, the higher the price, the better it must be.
I read somewhere that in China in the golf shops, those $4000+ Honma irons are flying off the shelf while $1000 Callaway and Taylor Made sit in the back shelf. They think if you play a set of Callaway, you are a nobody who can't play because you cannot afford the price of a set of Honma. Those Honma are crazy expensive, they even have gold versions, crazy.
I am liking the Rapide more and more, one of the reason being with the Panamera getting so expensive, it's getting up there with the Aston and the Rapide just looks sooooo much better, it's a extremely hansome car and with the money I am paying for a Panamera Turbo, I might as well add a little more and upgrade to the Rapide.