BMW: Sales, Marketing, and Financial News
TQ > MPG
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,624
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From: Metro Detroit
Thats cool, but its not like he's a celeb or anything guys. :lol:
I would have somehow brought up the Bangle stuff, and try to guage what his reaction was to it. I'm sure he already gets tons of BS about it from journalists, so he doesnt need anymore amateur advice.
I would have somehow brought up the Bangle stuff, and try to guage what his reaction was to it. I'm sure he already gets tons of BS about it from journalists, so he doesnt need anymore amateur advice.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by biker
If it does come out, BMW will not market it as a minivan - they'll come up with some term, like their X3 is not an SUV but an SAV. 
Biker, who was in business class with Mini Me on a flight to Auckland and thought that the huge seat (relative to his size) was a waste.
Biker, who was in business class with Mini Me on a flight to Auckland and thought that the huge seat (relative to his size) was a waste.
Minivun?
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 8
From: Washington DC (NOVA)
Originally Posted by charliemike
Ford, however, is a mess. I don't know what they are going to do to narrow the gap between themselves and GM/Chrysler. Their lack of a cohesive plan (or at least a seemingly cohesive one) is going to hurt them. They simply cannot continue to build floaty landbarges and expect to compete.
The problem for Ford is that Jaguar is not known for being a driver's car. Until Ford bought Jaguar it was an eclectic British marque with a lot of style and a lot of electrical problems.
If I ran Ford, I'd immediately reposition Lincoln as a driver-oriented brand. Let Mercury fulfill the blue-hairs and those looking for soft rides. I'd try to place Lincoln in the same arena as Caddy is doing right now with the CTS, STS, and XLR ...
Would it work? I don't know. I do think there is still some residual goodwill towards Lincoln. The Zephyr is a mistake of the same magnitude as the X-Type was for Jaguar. If the 3-series is the target, then an underpowered AWD sedan with no character is a complete waste of time and resources.
The problem for Ford is that Jaguar is not known for being a driver's car. Until Ford bought Jaguar it was an eclectic British marque with a lot of style and a lot of electrical problems.
If I ran Ford, I'd immediately reposition Lincoln as a driver-oriented brand. Let Mercury fulfill the blue-hairs and those looking for soft rides. I'd try to place Lincoln in the same arena as Caddy is doing right now with the CTS, STS, and XLR ...
Would it work? I don't know. I do think there is still some residual goodwill towards Lincoln. The Zephyr is a mistake of the same magnitude as the X-Type was for Jaguar. If the 3-series is the target, then an underpowered AWD sedan with no character is a complete waste of time and resources.
Let me...disappoint you further. I was reading on the plane back from Europe that things at Lincoln have been (paraphrasing)...downgraded. It's almost certain that new products which will be introduced will use FWD platforms. Specifically the one from the Mazda 6. Further development of the LS platform has been abondoned as too expensive and it's very possible even for the LS to switch to FWD.
Bottom line, the article said that Ford wants Jaguar to be the..."driver's car" and not Lincoln. So that it goes against the Germans. Hence the removal of Lincoln from the PAG (Premium Automotive Group).
So now, Lincoln will go, more against Acura, if you think about it.
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 8
From: Washington DC (NOVA)
Originally Posted by kansaiwalker1
Cool. You should have asked him if the minivan will have I-drive too!
If the M5 has no manual option, you know that a different era has commenced at BMW. Not one of my personal liking for whatever it's worth.
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 8
From: Washington DC (NOVA)
Originally Posted by einsatz
wow I totally missed this thread! This is really cool stuff.
props to gav for seizing the moment.
I would have been like "damn damn damn what do I say"
props to gav for seizing the moment.
I would have been like "damn damn damn what do I say"
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: sweden
BMW: "Lexus is not in big league yet"
This is not nice of BMW.... 
BMW: Lexus is not in big league yet
Toyota premium brand begins push in Europe
Toyota's Lexus brand is not yet a global player as a luxury marque, says German rival BMW.
"Toyota has lots of cash, but we are still waiting to welcome them in the premier league," said Stefan Krause, BMW board member in charge of finance.
BMW rivals such as Lexus, Saab, Infiniti and Jaguar are successful in one or possibly two key markets, but not globally.
Krause said only two premium brands can call themselves global: BMW and Mercedes-Benz. He pointedly ignored Volkswagen's Audi brand.
Stuart McCullough, Lexus Europe director, said: "We have a lot of work to do in Europe. But I hope people are starting to see where we are headed from our products and stand at the show."
As part of its ambition to catch BMW, Lexus aims to boost its sales in Europe, helped by its new IS lower-premium sedan, which debuted here with Lexus' first diesel engine.
The IS will go on sale in Europe with a new 2.5-liter, V-6 gasoline engine by the end of the year. A diesel version with a 175hp, 2.2-liter four-cylinder unit will follow early next year.
No build-to-order
Lexus aims to sell 65,000 cars in Europe by 2010. McCullough thinks the brand can reach that goal because of improvements to its powertrain options.
Besides offering diesel variants, Lexus plans to offer gasoline-electric powertrains in most of its models starting with the RX 400h, the hybrid version of its SUV, which goes on sale in Europe in June.
BMW's Krause said he will consider Lexus a true global rival when it has:
Designs that appeal worldwide
A consistent brand image in markets around the globe
A factory in Europe that can provide tailor-made build-to-order cars, which European premium customers demand.
Said McCullough: "I don't think build-to-order is the mark of a premium brand. We think there is room for us on the global stage."
Toyota premium brand begins push in Europe
Toyota's Lexus brand is not yet a global player as a luxury marque, says German rival BMW.
"Toyota has lots of cash, but we are still waiting to welcome them in the premier league," said Stefan Krause, BMW board member in charge of finance.
BMW rivals such as Lexus, Saab, Infiniti and Jaguar are successful in one or possibly two key markets, but not globally.
Krause said only two premium brands can call themselves global: BMW and Mercedes-Benz. He pointedly ignored Volkswagen's Audi brand.
Stuart McCullough, Lexus Europe director, said: "We have a lot of work to do in Europe. But I hope people are starting to see where we are headed from our products and stand at the show."
As part of its ambition to catch BMW, Lexus aims to boost its sales in Europe, helped by its new IS lower-premium sedan, which debuted here with Lexus' first diesel engine.
The IS will go on sale in Europe with a new 2.5-liter, V-6 gasoline engine by the end of the year. A diesel version with a 175hp, 2.2-liter four-cylinder unit will follow early next year.
No build-to-order
Lexus aims to sell 65,000 cars in Europe by 2010. McCullough thinks the brand can reach that goal because of improvements to its powertrain options.
Besides offering diesel variants, Lexus plans to offer gasoline-electric powertrains in most of its models starting with the RX 400h, the hybrid version of its SUV, which goes on sale in Europe in June.
BMW's Krause said he will consider Lexus a true global rival when it has:
Designs that appeal worldwide
A consistent brand image in markets around the globe
A factory in Europe that can provide tailor-made build-to-order cars, which European premium customers demand.
Said McCullough: "I don't think build-to-order is the mark of a premium brand. We think there is room for us on the global stage."
Photoshops, and Polls!!!!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,845
Likes: 2
From: SF Bay Area
how is this not nice? this is a standard press lease from the..
BMW Corporate Communications and Public Relations group in the Marketing Department...standard stuff
Very biased, opinionated, and designed to promote BMW...
BMW Corporate Communications and Public Relations group in the Marketing Department...standard stuff
Very biased, opinionated, and designed to promote BMW...
101 years of heartache...
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 0
From: Chicago's North Side/Champaign, IL
How can they consider Saab as a competator, but not Acura? How can they consider Infiniti a competator, but not Caddy? BMW SHOULD be hard-nosed because they've been there earlier. I actually agree, BMW and MB are on a different level. Lexus, Caddy, and Audi are getting there, but they aren't quite yet. Infiniti, Acura, Volvo, and Saab are getting closer to the "2nd division" guys, but aren't there quite yet in my opinion.
Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
they are talking globally. Lexus is nothing in europe.
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 8
From: Washington DC (NOVA)
OK. A lot of confused users here.
Krause is talking on a global level. He is correct, Mercedes and BMW are the two big players. Audi may be big in Europe and North America but not as big as BMW and Mercedes elsewhere. Remember, there is still a ton of countries left outside the above two continents.
Remember, Lexus just entered the Japanese market last year. The Japanese market!
There is no bashing above at all. It's stating facts.
Krause is talking on a global level. He is correct, Mercedes and BMW are the two big players. Audi may be big in Europe and North America but not as big as BMW and Mercedes elsewhere. Remember, there is still a ton of countries left outside the above two continents.
Remember, Lexus just entered the Japanese market last year. The Japanese market!
There is no bashing above at all. It's stating facts.
Burn some dust here
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,709
Likes: 13
From: Atlanta
Originally Posted by CGTSX2004
How is Audi there and Lexus not when Lexus sells circles around Audi?
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 679
Likes: 18
From: nyc
I guess if Lexus was an independent company, they would be in the big league? After all,
doesn't Toyota cover the rest of the global market? Same with VW for Audi.
BMW is made by BMW, Benz is made by Benz. They have to cover every market.
Just my $.02.
Vybz, who thinks, BMW is premiun, and Benz is luxury.
doesn't Toyota cover the rest of the global market? Same with VW for Audi.
BMW is made by BMW, Benz is made by Benz. They have to cover every market.
Just my $.02.
Vybz, who thinks, BMW is premiun, and Benz is luxury.
Lola
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 257
From: Toronto
Originally Posted by gocubsgo55
How can they consider Saab as a competator, but not Acura? How can they consider Infiniti a competator, but not Caddy?
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 638
Likes: 0
From: California
Originally Posted by gavriil
OK. A lot of confused users here.
Krause is talking on a global level. He is correct, Mercedes and BMW are the two big players. Audi may be big in Europe and North America but not as big as BMW and Mercedes elsewhere. Remember, there is still a ton of countries left outside the above two continents.
Remember, Lexus just entered the Japanese market last year. The Japanese market!
There is no bashing above at all. It's stating facts.
Krause is talking on a global level. He is correct, Mercedes and BMW are the two big players. Audi may be big in Europe and North America but not as big as BMW and Mercedes elsewhere. Remember, there is still a ton of countries left outside the above two continents.
Remember, Lexus just entered the Japanese market last year. The Japanese market!
There is no bashing above at all. It's stating facts.
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 8
From: Washington DC (NOVA)
Originally Posted by sipark
Just curious..
Does Toyota sell Lexus models in Europe besides the IS?
Does Toyota sell Lexus models in Europe besides the IS?
The RX for example currently is still called the RX300 (although it's got our RX330's body), but uses last gen's engine.
Also most of the time the HP output for Euro-Speced Lexus vehicles is lower than they are here.
Moderator Alumnus
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 16,399
Likes: 8
From: Washington DC (NOVA)
Originally Posted by vybzkartel
I guess if Lexus was an independent company, they would be in the big league? After all,
doesn't Toyota cover the rest of the global market? Same with VW for Audi.
BMW is made by BMW, Benz is made by Benz. They have to cover every market.
Just my $.02.
Vybz, who thinks, BMW is premiun, and Benz is luxury.
doesn't Toyota cover the rest of the global market? Same with VW for Audi.
BMW is made by BMW, Benz is made by Benz. They have to cover every market.
Just my $.02.
Vybz, who thinks, BMW is premiun, and Benz is luxury.
Senior Moderator
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 47,710
Likes: 801
From: Toronto, Canada
Originally Posted by gavriil
Mercedes Benz vehicles is made by Daimler Chrysler.
Well technically yes, but in reality MB makes MB and MB makes Daimler Chrylser. The merge was really a takeover.
Chrysler has no say over MB branded cars like GM has over Saab or Ford over Volvo or Aston.
