RE: Projekt Grenadier to get BMW engines
Discussion
IknowJoseph said:
A German Project Manager and German Engines?! Outrageous! Portugal and Slovakia? Third world sh!t holes more like!
But seriously, your comment reads like the Basil Fawlty Motoring News.
The truth is, globalisation has happened, and getting upset about "English" this and that just doesn't make any sense. Even the most ardent Brexit pusher is going to employ Europeans, buy European products and manufacture in Europe if it's the best for their business. The mistake many people are making at the moment is to believe that globalisation can either be undone, or that industry leaders want it undone.
Yes; I get your point...But when this was first publicised by Jim Ratcliffe, it all started as a discussion in his pub, with his old British built LR parked outside...and the main selling point was it was going to be a purely British product with "...upto 1500 jobs in the UK created and to boost Britains output and cope with upheaval caused by leaving the European Union..."But seriously, your comment reads like the Basil Fawlty Motoring News.
The truth is, globalisation has happened, and getting upset about "English" this and that just doesn't make any sense. Even the most ardent Brexit pusher is going to employ Europeans, buy European products and manufacture in Europe if it's the best for their business. The mistake many people are making at the moment is to believe that globalisation can either be undone, or that industry leaders want it undone.
But that "dream" seems to have been diluted?...and not what was first promised?
Al I was saying is that it wont be a purely British product - especially if they go ahead and make it in Portugal and use BMW engines...And you may as well buy a real LR built in Slovakia, as its no less British than the Grenadier..
Apart from (possibly) a few diehard off-road enthusiasts, I just can't see a market for this type of vehicle in the UK. The people that this type of vehicle appeal to, that use them off-road don't tend to buy new ones. It doesn't have the name, heritage or image to appeal to the lifestyle market.
Globally, unless it's cheap, easily fixed in the field and has an excellent dealer support network I can't see it taking off either.
It takes years to earn a reputation as the 'go-to' choice for the utilitarian, rugged, dependable, capable off-roader - something else this vehicle will not have either.
It's a lovely idea and I would love it to be a success - just can't see it tho'. However, I wish them every success with this venture.
Globally, unless it's cheap, easily fixed in the field and has an excellent dealer support network I can't see it taking off either.
It takes years to earn a reputation as the 'go-to' choice for the utilitarian, rugged, dependable, capable off-roader - something else this vehicle will not have either.
It's a lovely idea and I would love it to be a success - just can't see it tho'. However, I wish them every success with this venture.
Gilhooligan said:
Rod200SX said:
I'm waiting to get a phone call back from my mechanic to hear if my N54 has lunched itself... I don't have much trust in BMW engines 
Swithered about buying a 1 series with that engine. Didn’t bother in the end due to the ridiculous amount of expensive things that can go wrong with it 
Lovely engine when everything is working though. Be interested to see how it pans out, not a fan of unnecessarily complicated engines.
It would be fascinating to know the reality of how this project went from chest thumping future Brit icon to mini-me G wagon in a couple of years. I believe it’s also being engineered by MBtech, a part owned Daimler consultancy, in addition to the engine and key Management persons.
I have no gripe with his choice of partners in any way, indeed I have some sympathy, but it just seems so odd.
From a marketing viewpoint it could be a hard sell in the U.K., so perhaps it makes the most sense to build it in Portugal. At least he’d have some nice weather when he made progress visits. You know, make a day of it.
I have no gripe with his choice of partners in any way, indeed I have some sympathy, but it just seems so odd.
From a marketing viewpoint it could be a hard sell in the U.K., so perhaps it makes the most sense to build it in Portugal. At least he’d have some nice weather when he made progress visits. You know, make a day of it.
Ok so ex MB German subcontract engineering , the best engine developer in the world ( McLaren F1, rolls Royce V12 , m50 m3, and m62 V8) and a clear strategy of what it is and what it isnt or ....ingenium diesel and shonky electrics of the new L663 with optional plastic treadplate and drilled on Chelsea panniers .... It looks like the love child of a Kia soul and a Nissan cube .
BMW probably couldn't resist kneeing their ex UK SUV adventure in the b
ks / core brand heartland while spanking them in the X3/X5/x7 segments.
BMW probably couldn't resist kneeing their ex UK SUV adventure in the b
ks / core brand heartland while spanking them in the X3/X5/x7 segments. ian_cab28 said:
the best engine developer in the world ( McLaren F1, rolls Royce V12 , m50 m3, and m62 V8) and a clear strategy of what it is and what it isnt or ....
A strategy of hardcore off-roader for Europe where there isn't a huge market for such, 'lifestyle' vehicle in the US here it has zero heritage to play on and bare-bones utility vehicle for other markets? It's a strategy, perhaps not a particularly clear one when no one has really managed to crack the off roader-lifestyle-utility triumvirate based on one vehicle. And those engines may be Le Mans winners but they're not exactly Paris-Dakar winners.
AlexiusG55 said:
Max_Torque said:
The Game has Changed /tron
;-)
Or this, aimed at fleets:[thumb]https://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/5/2017/05/Workhorse-W-15-Pickup-front-three-quarters-02-e1493760133975.jpg;-)
[/thumb]
Even got BMW power (same scooter engine/generator as the i3)
no one has mentioned Foers Ibex, seems to be the exact principals but done a while ago. A local mole catcher has one, cool as.
http://www.ibexf8.com/downloads/Brochure12web.pdf
http://www.ibexf8.com/downloads/Brochure12web.pdf
Many many years ago Jim Ratcliffe came to address a seminar at my workplace's department. A very unassuming man and you wouldn't have known by looking at him that he was worth x amount of £billions. No entourage or retinue in tow, and not even a chauffeur either - he arrived in a gorgeous Aston DB7 vantage.
jhonn said:
Apart from (possibly) a few diehard off-road enthusiasts, I just can't see a market for this type of vehicle in the UK. The people that this type of vehicle appeal to, that use them off-road don't tend to buy new ones. It doesn't have the name, heritage or image to appeal to the lifestyle market.
Globally, unless it's cheap, easily fixed in the field and has an excellent dealer support network I can't see it taking off either.
It takes years to earn a reputation as the 'go-to' choice for the utilitarian, rugged, dependable, capable off-roader - something else this vehicle will not have either.
It's a lovely idea and I would love it to be a success - just can't see it tho'. However, I wish them every success with this venture.
Alternatively you just short cut all that crap and bung a whole chunk of cash into various Swiss bank accounts and finance the UN’s prostitute and holiday bill until they place a big enough order. Globally, unless it's cheap, easily fixed in the field and has an excellent dealer support network I can't see it taking off either.
It takes years to earn a reputation as the 'go-to' choice for the utilitarian, rugged, dependable, capable off-roader - something else this vehicle will not have either.
It's a lovely idea and I would love it to be a success - just can't see it tho'. However, I wish them every success with this venture.
They have no intention of trying to sell 25,000 units a year to private individuals. They’ll be targeting organisations whose current leaders enjoy the finer things in life.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff