Topic: Autoextemist Blasts BMW's Future Product Plans

[99 Silver]

Autoextemist strongly disagrees with BMW's expansion into low priced FWD cars:

http://www.autoextremist.com/

[initial_D]

Sell more cars, make more money, this how most business run. Don't have to buy them if do not like the cars, plenty alternatives. BMWs are already as common as Civics and Corollas, have FWD cars won't change much.

[erich]

I think BMW (or any other car maker) can safely ignore PDL and laugh all the way to the bank - just look at Porsche
Small cars are big in Euroland and most people are not auto-extremists, rather auto-moderates who care more about a Roundel on the hood than about RWD underneath.

[lebowski]

I think BMW (or any other car maker) can safely ignore PDL and laugh all the way to the bank - just look at Porsche
Small cars are big in Euroland and most people are not auto-extremists, rather auto-moderates who care more about a Roundel on the hood than about RWD underneath.

+1

I agree with some of what the Auto Extremist is saying, but it's more than a little sad that someone could be so impassioned about something as insignificant as a car company's strategy.

[Mike]

Holy crap does that guy like to go off on a rant   

I mean, big deal if BMW wants to go FWD.  I don't like it or agree with it, but so what?  I have a feeling the author has a Beemer or two in his driveway to illicit such an emotioal response.

[TopGun]

I would bet that our friend Mitlov would read the responses in this thread and say - "See...that's why I left".

I mean, big deal if BMW wants to go FWD.  I don't like it or agree with it, but so what?.
....

What's the big deal?  So what?  Did you read the reasons he gave?

.....it's more than a little sad that someone could be so impassioned about something as insignificant as a car company's strategy.

It's what he does Erich...provide opinions about the automotive world.  I absolutely applaud him for not joining the masses of people that say "so what" that are very well represented here.

Sell more cars, make more money, this how most business run into the ground.....

I've added a bit that Peter would likely agree with.  Merely another example of the short-term thinking demanded by investors (us) that doesn't drive "real" value.


"A brand image takes years upon years and billions of dollars to establish. Get it right – as BMW once did – and it will pay off handsomely in a bulletproof reputation, legions of satisfied customers and big profits."

[Shnak]

BMW already develops FWD cars... they're called Minis!

I personally don't see how selling FWD cars under the BMW would really be that damaging to their brand... afterall, most BMW drivers don't even know their cars are RWD! Wasn't there a statistic that came out saying that 80% of 1-Series owners had no clue their car was RWD?

[Schmengie]

I agree with initial_d. BMWs are so common these days no one even notices them anymore. A small FWD BMW will probably sell like hotcakes for a while, but once the status of the roundel on the hood wears off, it'll just be another car. At least Mercedes had the smarts - pun intended - not to put the 3-pointed star on their little runabout.

edit - Spelling mistake.

[lebowski]

I agree with initial_d. BMWs are so common these days no one even notices them anymore. A small FWD BMW will probably sell like hotcakes for a while, but once the staus of the roundel on the hood wears off, it'll just be another car. At least Mercedes had the smarts - pun intended - not to put the 3-pointed star on their little runabout.

There's also the A- and B-class, badged as Mercedes', and they have been sales successes (at least in Europe) for MB

It's what he does Erich...provide opinions about the automotive world.  I absolutely applaud him for not joining the masses of people that say "so what" that are very well represented here.

Yeah, I get that his schtick is to rant about cars and, yes, all the power to him for vocalizing his disapproval of BMW's product strategy. It's one thing, however, to voice disapproval, as he does, but it's another thing to devote 10 paragraphs of impassioned rhetoric on the subject. So much energy and emotion for such a trivial topic!

[TopGun]

I agree with initial_d. BMWs are so common these days no one even notices them anymore. A small FWD BMW will probably sell like hotcakes for a while, but once the status of the roundel on the hood wears off, it'll just be another car......

You're agreeing with me.  Once the status of the roundel on the hood wears off, they can say goodbye to the high margins they've been getting.  If this all about business decisions, then how is that a good business decision?

And if it's all about business decisions, someone should have told Enzo Ferrari that being passionate about racing wasn't a good business decision...until he was able to build a legacy that's worth a few shillings now.

[Mike]

I would bet that our friend Mitlov would read the responses in this thread and say - "See...that's why I left".

I mean, big deal if BMW wants to go FWD.  I don't like it or agree with it, but so what?.
....

What's the big deal?  So what?  Did you read the reasons he gave?

.....it's more than a little sad that someone could be so impassioned about something as insignificant as a car company's strategy.

It's what he does Erich...provide opinions about the automotive world.  I absolutely applaud him for not joining the masses of people that say "so what" that are very well represented here.

Sell more cars, make more money, this how most business run into the ground.....

I've added a bit that Peter would likely agree with.  Merely another example of the short-term thinking demanded by investors (us) that doesn't drive "real" value.


"A brand image takes years upon years and billions of dollars to establish. Get it right – as BMW once did – and it will pay off handsomely in a bulletproof reputation, legions of satisfied customers and big profits."

Yes, I read his reasons and do not agree with them.  I am not going to turn this into another thread of disagreeing posts.  I'll just stay inclined to say that we disagree on the topic.

I just think building a few cars based off an award winning FWD platform you already make isn't a big deal.  If the head line was '3 Seires to be FWD in 2013' or '5 Series now AWD ES350 competitor' that would be a whole different monkey.

[Schmengie]

......could this be it? 

[Mike]

Oh god, the BMW Juke

[rrocket]

I'm with Topgun on this one......


Bad call. They might sell more cars in the short term but I say this hurts them in the long haul.

I dunno.  Just because they made some FWD bargain car, doesn't mean their bread and butter car (3 Series) will turn into a POS.....

[EV Dan]

It is a bigger issue than just deciding on which wheels should be driven. By making predominantly RWD cars BMW made a commitment to only produce cars that appeal to enthusiasts, have superior handling and are always fun to drive. It has become their signature and put them in the unique market position. I imagine many in the company took pride in making the cars around the driver, not around marketing and CO2 regs. They resisted the temptation for decades just like Subaru people did with the full time AWD. IMO if BMW decides to now make a Yaris it will start to be seen as just another marque to consider when shopping for an ass mover. It will make short time profit but lose their face doing so. Just my 2 cents.

[CanuckS2K]

It is a bigger issue than just deciding on which wheels should be driven. By making predominantly RWD cars BMW made a commitment to only produce cars that appeal to enthusiasts, have superior handling and are always fun to drive. It has become their signature and put them in the unique market position. I imagine many in the company took pride in making the cars around the driver, not around marketing and CO2 regs. They resisted the temptation for decades just like Subaru people did with the full time AWD. IMO if BMW decides to now make a Yaris it will start to be seen as just another marque to consider when shopping for an ass mover. It will make short time profit but lose their face doing so. Just my 2 cents.

Pretty hard to argue with that, agreed. 

[rrocket]

It is a bigger issue than just deciding on which wheels should be driven. By making predominantly RWD cars BMW made a commitment to only produce cars that appeal to enthusiasts, have superior handling and are always fun to drive. It has become their signature and put them in the unique market position. I imagine many in the company took pride in making the cars around the driver, not around marketing and CO2 regs. They resisted the temptation for decades just like Subaru people did with the full time AWD. IMO if BMW decides to now make a Yaris it will start to be seen as just another marque to consider when shopping for an ass mover. It will make short time profit but lose their face doing so. Just my 2 cents.

Yea, but most of the 1 Series drivers already think they're driving a FWD car anyways.  Remember this news story??

"BMW says a recent study shows that 80% of BMW 1 Series drivers think they have a FWD system on their car. This means that only 20% of them really now what they spent their money on and how much fun this car can be. "

[Erik]

Brilliant column. So nice to read something from someone who is passionate about cars. Who actually cares and does not see them as just another appliance. Well done!

[Erik]

Nice posts, TG and Dan!

[EV Dan]

It is a bigger issue than just deciding on which wheels should be driven. By making predominantly RWD cars BMW made a commitment to only produce cars that appeal to enthusiasts, have superior handling and are always fun to drive. It has become their signature and put them in the unique market position. I imagine many in the company took pride in making the cars around the driver, not around marketing and CO2 regs. They resisted the temptation for decades just like Subaru people did with the full time AWD. IMO if BMW decides to now make a Yaris it will start to be seen as just another marque to consider when shopping for an ass mover. It will make short time profit but lose their face doing so. Just my 2 cents.

Yea, but most of the 1 Series drivers already think they're driving a FWD car anyways.  Remember this news story??

"BMW says a recent study shows that 80% of BMW 1 Series drivers think they have a FWD system on their car. This means that only 20% of them really now what they spent their money on and how much fun this car can be. "

I blame the electronic nannies. If there were no traction control those 80% would soon learn what a doughnut really is and how not to make it. Also one way or another their buying decision was influenced by the remaining 20% who actually new why the bought it.