Interesting article today...

Sales

 

good article on fuel efficiency and continued emphasis on SUV's in same issue...

If a car company engineer proposes an innovation that will improve fuel efficiency at a cost of $200, he said, "somebody will stand up and say, 'Hey, we can put a Sony or Panasonic entertainment system in the back of an SUV for that $200 and sell it as a $1,200 option.' "

"People who spend $35,000 for an SUV don't care about fuel efficiency," he said. "It's not that the technology is expensive. It's just that the market doesn't care."

fuel efficiency

 

Yeah, I got a kick out of how BMW is positioning it's sales.

BMW: BMW Group sales are growing

when really as you point out, sales of BMWs are down, and its MINI that's causing this "growth" in the BMW group numbers. GO MINI!

 

Maybe it has something to do with the ongoing uglification of the entire BMW line? The 7-series used to be a nice-looking car. Big and boat-like, but nice-looking. The new look is just so bad. No wonder people are buying Mercedes instead. When are they going to figure out that Chris Bangle, or whoever is making these changes, is putting the brand into the toilet as far as appearance goes? People are only going to put up with so much to stick with their beloved BMW engineering.

 

BMW engineering???? Puhleese.

 

Here's some info regarding 2003 7 series sales. This is from a couple recent BMW press releases:

"Dr. Panke described the worldwide launch of the new BMW 7 series model range and the start of the BMW Z4 Roadster in the USA as major milestones in the past financial year. In the first year after the model change of the 7 series, over 60 percent more vehicles were sold than in the previous year"

"This was the best year ever for 7 Series sales, as customers responded to the all-new model, which went on sale last January," said Ed Robinson, Executive Vice President - Operations for BMW of North America, LLC. "Sales of BMW models across the board were strong.

I wouldn't discount the aging 5 series being much of the problem. It's BMW bread and butter product. It'll be replaced with a new version next fall that is shaping up to be quite a car. Look for a slightly more conservative look in comparison to the 7 series.



>>Maybe it has something to do with the ongoing uglification of the entire BMW line? The 7-series used to be a nice-looking car. Big and boat-like, but nice-looking. The new look is just so bad. No wonder people are buying Mercedes instead. When are they going to figure out that Chris Bangle, or whoever is making these changes, is putting the brand into the toilet as far as appearance goes? People are only going to put up with so much to stick with their beloved BMW engineering.


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<a href="http://bridger.us/mini"><img src="http://bridger.us/mini/pictures/mini_sig_b.jpg" border="0"></a>

 

Maybe it has to do with the fact that BMW's are overpriced and the U.S. is in recession? I don't know, just a thought. If you're after performance, you can get it elsewhere for less money. If you are after luxury, you would consider Mercedes or Lexus.

 

Go MINI!

 

I know that info on 7 series sales is from a BMW press release, but I find it very hard to believe. Kind of like the polls about how many people support war in Iraq. I've only seen a couple of the new 7s on the road. And I just can't imagine being caught dead in that car, even if it suited my needs and was in my price range.

 

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree then - I find the 7 incredible to look at. I'll certianly give you that it takes some effort to appreciate the composition of the rear quarters - perhaps the fact that it takes effort is where the fault lies in the design. But in my eyes and most others I know it makes the S-class look trivial and uninspiring next to it. I've also been surprised at how many I see running around Chicago. It seems black 745i's are everywhere these days. I can definately see the sales success translated into cars on the road (at least in the Chicago)

>>I know that info on 7 series sales is from a BMW press release, but I find it very hard to believe. Kind of like the polls about how many people support war in Iraq. I've only seen a couple of the new 7s on the road. And I just can't imagine being caught dead in that car, even if it suited my needs and was in my price range.

 

>>I know that info on 7 series sales is from a BMW press release, but I find it very hard to believe. Kind of like the polls about how many people support war in Iraq. I've only seen a couple of the new 7s on the road. And I just can't imagine being caught dead in that car, even if it suited my needs and was in my price range.

Even though I have mixed feelings on the new 7's looks, I have to agree with Gabe that there are quite a few in Chicago. Every third car in Lincoln Park and River North seems to be a silver 7 (the black ones must be in a different part of the city). Somone in my building actually has one with 22" chrome rims. Surprisingly, they look really badass on that car!

 

The 7 is growing on me, as is the Z4. Only time will tell if that just arbitrary due to it being a new design. But it doesn't reach out and grab me like other new redesigns. I think BMW is just setting themselves up for the coming few years. They'll have the new 5 out soon enough, thereby having a total line up of cars which make sense in relation to it's other cars as far as looks go. Then with the 1 and 6 series coming soon, they'll have a hand in every consumer spending bucket. Got to give them props there!!

And yes, I *DO* see quite a alot of new 7s on the road lately, mostly driven by older women. Mostly the darker silver color.

R

 

>>I find the 7 incredible to look at. I'll certianly give you that it takes some effort to appreciate the composition of the rear quarters - perhaps the fact that it takes effort is where the fault lies in the design. But in my eyes and most others I know it makes the S-class look trivial and uninspiring next to it. I've also been surprised at how many I see running around Chicago. It seems black 745i's are everywhere these days. I can definately see the sales success translated into cars on the road (at least in the Chicago)

I guess when you're driving one of the new 7's (760 *drool*) you don't have to look at the rear of the car much. I personally thing the MB S series is much more beautiful. But hey, different strokes is what makes the world an interesting place!

 

Maybe it has to do with the fact that BMW's are overpriced and the U.S. is in recession? I don't know, just a thought. If you're after performance, you can get it elsewhere for less money. If you are after luxury, you would consider Mercedes or Lexus.

have to agree here...was at BMW yesterday picking up my MCS after service work, BTW somebody there stole my aftermarket stubby antena while it was there for the day and wouldn't own up to it....but I was looking at a 5 series bimmer for my wife as she wants to trade her Volvo.....I drove the 5 series, very nice, but also drove the new G35 sedan with sport suspension, leather, loaded....and I tell you the 10K difference for the BMW I don't think I could justify...the new infinity has more HP, handles as well, has as much room, better stereo........there is a lot of competition out there and even though BMW has hung their hat on the "ultimate driving machine", there are a lot of great driving machines out there for a lot less......Mercedes was forced to come down on pricing on their models starting 4 or 5 years ago with less expensive models and BMW might have to consider such a move in the future if they want to keep growing volume....it's not rocket science that the Mini at 20K is a fun driving machine and proving to be a success...

 

>>Maybe it has to do with the fact that BMW's are overpriced and the U.S. is in recession? I don't know, just a thought. If you're after performance, you can get it elsewhere for less money. If you are after luxury, you would consider Mercedes or Lexus.
>>
>>have to agree here...was at BMW yesterday picking up my MCS after service work, BTW somebody there stole my aftermarket stubby antena while it was there for the day and wouldn't own up to it....but I was looking at a 5 series bimmer for my wife as she wants to trade her Volvo.....I drove the 5 series, very nice, but also drove the new G35 sedan with sport suspension, leather, loaded....and I tell you the 10K difference for the BMW I don't think I could justify...the new infinity has more HP, handles as well, has as much room, better stereo........there is a lot of competition out there and even though BMW has hung their hat on the "ultimate driving machine", there are a lot of great driving machines out there for a lot less......Mercedes was forced to come down on pricing on their models starting 4 or 5 years ago with less expensive models and BMW might have to consider such a move in the future if they want to keep growing volume....it's not rocket science that the Mini at 20K is a fun driving machine and proving to be a success...

I hope BMW has some good answers for the G35 and the upcoming replacement for the IS300 - those are fantastic cars. But knowing the company and seeing their track record I think they'll come out of the gates swinging with the new 1, 3, 5 series in the coming years.