19 hours ago
Tom Cruise is allegedly banned from buying this luxury car; here's what happened…
In addition to performing his stunts in films, Hollywood icon Tom Cruise is famous for his love for exquisite luxury cars. However, a public incident led him to land on an interesting list — one that includes names of celebrities who are banned from buying Bugatti cars.
This alleged decision by Bugatti stems from an embarrassing incident at the Mission: Impossible 3 premiere in 2006, which the luxury car manufacturer viewed as detrimental to its brand image.
Back in 2005, Cruise acquired a high-end Bugatti worth over $1 million to celebrate and indulge his love for luxury and speed. At the premiere of his film, he decided to drive the car and make a grand appearance on the red carpet. However, things did not exactly go as planned.
According to Modern Car Collector, the incident that led to Bugatti's drastic decision involved Cruise struggling to open the passenger-side door of his Bugatti Veyron—a car celebrated for its sophisticated engineering and exceptional performance, including a 16-cylinder engine and 1001 horsepower. The struggle lasted over 40 seconds and occurred in full view of the premiere's attendees and was broadcast to millions worldwide. While the moment was taken lightly by fans and the media, Bugatti saw it as a serious blunder.
The luxury car manufacturer took this move as a sign of disrespect toward the brand's prestige and reputation and allegedly decided to prohibit Cruise from buying anything else from Bugatti. This measure was also extended to many other celebrities who have previously tarnished the brand's reputation publicly.
This list of celebrities allegedly includes notable figures like Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber, who have faced similar restrictions from other high-profile car brands for various reasons.
'The perceived value of an item plays a significant role in driving up its worth because humans often assign value based on exclusivity of the products, their rare existence, and social status,' said Juhi Pandey, psychologist, MPower Helpline. According to her, there are several reasons why people are drawn to luxury items. Some of them are:
Exclusivity: 'Luxury brands create an impression that not everyone can own their products, even if they have the money. This strategy of selective branding enhances their appeal,' said Pandey.
Feeling of inaccessibility: The scarcity and inaccessibility of luxury items fuel a sense of desire. 'People often wonder why they can't have what is seemingly meant for a select few. This exclusivity acts as a psychological hook,' Pandey explained.
Neuroscience and luxury: Purchasing luxury goods activates brain areas like the nucleus accumbens and ventral striatum, which are linked to impulsive desires. Pandey said, 'Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation, is released during such purchases, enhancing the sense of reward.'
Craftsmanship: The exceptional attention to detail and superior craftsmanship attract individuals who value precision and durability. 'Many luxury buyers appreciate the effort and skill behind these items, which align with their standards of excellence,' Pandey said.
Pandey mentioned that exclusivity and high pricing often signal quality and prestige, which drive the demand for luxury goods. 'The pleasure of owning something rare activates the brain's reward system. Cognitive biases like anchoring and the endowment effect also play a role, as people inflate the value of items based on initial price points or personal attachment,' she said. Ultimately, the desire for status, recognition, and self-fulfillment makes luxury goods highly appealing.
