RE: We Want To Build A Car Says BMW M Boss
Discussion
People will buy any old super car nowadays.
Its simple:
Work out how much it costs to make.
Limit production to 740 (if say it has 740bhp or something silly)
Build a prototype.
Tell everyone it costs xyz
Before you know it Jay Kay, Jay Lenno, Chris Evans and the odd Saudi prince all pre-order.
Before you know it all 740 examples are accounted for - money banked and off you go.
They are then up at premium at the usual suspect dealers.
Sit back, relax and count the coin.
Its simple:
Work out how much it costs to make.
Limit production to 740 (if say it has 740bhp or something silly)
Build a prototype.
Tell everyone it costs xyz
Before you know it Jay Kay, Jay Lenno, Chris Evans and the odd Saudi prince all pre-order.
Before you know it all 740 examples are accounted for - money banked and off you go.
They are then up at premium at the usual suspect dealers.
Sit back, relax and count the coin.
jontysafe said:
..
I think the new twin-turbo V8, with the wick turned up slightly, in a lightweight mid engine application based on a mixture of existing and new mechanicals would sell very well and again give BMW a halo model. I know I`d consider buying one. Anyone else?
Target the MP4-12C.I think the new twin-turbo V8, with the wick turned up slightly, in a lightweight mid engine application based on a mixture of existing and new mechanicals would sell very well and again give BMW a halo model. I know I`d consider buying one. Anyone else?
Did M ever stand for Motorsport? (genuine question)
Because looking at the cars of the early years they seemed more geared towards transferring motorsport tech directly to road cars (or homologation) than selling "emotion" and "fun", otherwise it would be the EF3 or EF5 not M3 or M5. And what the fuuck does that mean anyway, it is entirely subjective, I don't find an M3 convertible to be worthy of an M badge, I don't find it fun and the only emotions it conjures in me are negative, but the marketing hacks at BMW who seem to run M division now probably think it is a great idea to leach a bit of road cred of a previously (and in the large part still) highly respected division. marketing waankers
Because looking at the cars of the early years they seemed more geared towards transferring motorsport tech directly to road cars (or homologation) than selling "emotion" and "fun", otherwise it would be the EF3 or EF5 not M3 or M5. And what the fuuck does that mean anyway, it is entirely subjective, I don't find an M3 convertible to be worthy of an M badge, I don't find it fun and the only emotions it conjures in me are negative, but the marketing hacks at BMW who seem to run M division now probably think it is a great idea to leach a bit of road cred of a previously (and in the large part still) highly respected division. marketing waankers
Aused said:
Did M ever stand for Motorsport? (genuine question)
Because looking at the cars of the early years they seemed more geared towards transferring motorsport tech directly to road cars (or homologation) than selling "emotion" and "fun", otherwise it would be the EF3 or EF5 not M3 or M5. And what the fuuck does that mean anyway, it is entirely subjective, I don't find an M3 convertible to be worthy of an M badge, I don't find it fun and the only emotions it conjures in me are negative, but the marketing hacks at BMW who seem to run M division now probably think it is a great idea to leach a bit of road cred of a previously (and in the large part still) highly respected division. marketing waankers
... shame it works on joe public Because looking at the cars of the early years they seemed more geared towards transferring motorsport tech directly to road cars (or homologation) than selling "emotion" and "fun", otherwise it would be the EF3 or EF5 not M3 or M5. And what the fuuck does that mean anyway, it is entirely subjective, I don't find an M3 convertible to be worthy of an M badge, I don't find it fun and the only emotions it conjures in me are negative, but the marketing hacks at BMW who seem to run M division now probably think it is a great idea to leach a bit of road cred of a previously (and in the large part still) highly respected division. marketing waankers
, i'm going to go and buy another Renaultsport product now 
(for now anyway)
Sadly this is where BMW being a stand alone maker really suffer...they've undoubetedly got the know how but can't make it pay.
They've also never been able to sell cars at the top of the price bracket....they must look at all the AMG S Class and SL's etc with great envy.
Audi could never have done the R8 if they didn't own Lambo.
They've also never been able to sell cars at the top of the price bracket....they must look at all the AMG S Class and SL's etc with great envy.
Audi could never have done the R8 if they didn't own Lambo.
This is a very "soundbite-ey" article, not enough info to deduce what is actually being said.
"Our job is to sell emotion and fun, using the technology that's socially acceptable at the time. Whether that's a combustion engine or an electric motor, we don't care."
True. If you transfer most of the characteristics of a racing car to a road going car, you're going to be thinking "Waaaaa... F**k!" and enjoying yourself. A good emotion and fun.
"We cannot just keep adding power. M is not selling horsepower; that's not what we're about."
He hasn't said what they ARE about, he hasn't said if they've changed direction from where they were 10/20 years ago, this is a very vague statement.
M's were / are about the power, the way the powers made and delivered, the sound, the handling.
The marketing twonks are really diluting the M brand though, leeching off it's reputation to just stick a few trinkets onto ordinary cars and sell them for more. This bit is very sad and I think the marketing dept will be kicking themselves when a BMW 'M' car means as much as GTi (or even TDi).
"Our job is to sell emotion and fun, using the technology that's socially acceptable at the time. Whether that's a combustion engine or an electric motor, we don't care."
True. If you transfer most of the characteristics of a racing car to a road going car, you're going to be thinking "Waaaaa... F**k!" and enjoying yourself. A good emotion and fun.
"We cannot just keep adding power. M is not selling horsepower; that's not what we're about."
He hasn't said what they ARE about, he hasn't said if they've changed direction from where they were 10/20 years ago, this is a very vague statement.
M's were / are about the power, the way the powers made and delivered, the sound, the handling.
The marketing twonks are really diluting the M brand though, leeching off it's reputation to just stick a few trinkets onto ordinary cars and sell them for more. This bit is very sad and I think the marketing dept will be kicking themselves when a BMW 'M' car means as much as GTi (or even TDi).
Dagnut said:
When exactly? They have made one focused car in the last 15 years( M3 GTS excluded)the E46 CSl and that wasn't exactly a sales sucess
A bloke at work has a 320Si (I think) that isn't a M car by name, but, judging from the fact that every part has to be hand hewn from Unobtainium from the mountains of Mordor by elves and uses the blood of unicorns instead of oil for lubrication, most certainly isn't a bog standard BMW 320!M.
marcosgt said:
A bloke at work has a 320Si (I think) that isn't a M car by name, but, judging from the fact that every part has to be hand hewn from Unobtainium from the mountains of Mordor by elves and uses the blood of unicorns instead of oil for lubrication, most certainly isn't a bog standard BMW 320!
M.
its an E30 but yeah? so about 20 years ago?M.
When calculating the business case, does BMW include brand awareness and the potential positive "halo" effect such a car would bring to BMW as a brand? I mean, this in itself should contribute millions of "EURs" to the project....
Only looking at the numbers (for these sorts of cars) isn't always the correct solution.
Only looking at the numbers (for these sorts of cars) isn't always the correct solution.
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