I posted this in the 1addicts forum and thought I would post it here as well...

Just saw an interesting post on Autoblog:

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/27/b...d-triumph-ftw/

It references an Automotive News article in which the writer makes the case for BMW bringing back the Triumph name in the form of a small RWD coupe and roadster. He suggests that it could use the 1 Series platform and be sold through MINI dealers.

The autoblog post offers the opinion that this could cannabalize sales from the 1 Series. I don't believe it necessarily would assuming the Triumph were a light, two-seater with the 4-Cylinder MINI engine and a base price around $20k. In fact, it would allow BMW to compete more directly with cars like the Miata while not diluting the BMW brand. If positioned and marketed right, I think BMW could carve out a niche for the Triumph name. I would definitely be interested in such a car.

The only question is, could they sell enough to be profitable?

 

Maybe they could bring back the TR7.

IMO a BMW/MINI/Triumph just won't fly.

 

BMW completely BLEW it by letting MG go. As a marque, it was always far more popular than Triumph.

Now there is no more MG (the Chinese already renamed it Modern Gentleman).

 

^ Yep!

 

The rumor has been around for some time: motoringfile.com/2006/01/04/first-mini-now-triumph/

 

Yea, I was thinking that yesterday as well. MG would be a better name. But if BMW were to add a 4th brand, I think Triumph could fill a nice niche in their line up. While it wouldn't be a high volume brand, BMW wouldn't need to develop a new platform nor an engine so development costs would be minimal.