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      09-15-2013, 05:34 PM   #16
SCOTT26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SpokenHands View Post
There will never be a front wheel drive BMW.
There will never be an M version of an X model.
There will not be an M sport version of the luxury-oriented 5GT.
There will never be an M badged diesel.
BMW don't do electric assisted power steering
M cars are manual only.


Never say never. Ask BMW.
Unfortunately the ever changing aspects of the industry forced us to accept no more dogmas as legislation and customer reaction has lead to a progressive global market. You either progress? Which for BMW , independence is the overall strategy or you become part of a committee which defines your strategy only if your sister brands can have it.

Dogma 1.
There will never be a front wheel drive BMW.

The global market has shown a paradigm shift towards the compact premium car which has led to upmarket premium cars impact heavily on volume manufacturers. MINI was the first premium compact car which led to imitators releasing their variation of a successful premium compact car.

Premium compact cars are also the defining factor in growth for the entire industry this decade , premium compact cars are very much in demand and of course essential to meet legislation being imposed on the industry.
To be in the compact market you have to compete and in regards to that one of the most required aspects is space.

The launch of the production variant of the BMW Active Tourer in a little over five months. Will make use of its FWD credentials to promote space and flexibility in a dynamic concept that will be the most exceptional car to drive in its segment yet offer customers and importantly new customers , space , dynasm and flexibility in an entirely new concept for BMW.

In regards to enthusiasts who reckon we pissed in their church. There was a negative response initially but on the BMW.com website we have a registration request on the Active Tourer that has been requested by over 200,000 users. If we can transfer that or even half of that into sales within a projected period then we will have a successful new line for BMW and a new market.

The arrival on the FWD will be known as we have about electric mobility.
We intend to change the whole definition of a front wheel driven car. The BMW FWD concepts are being interpreted as game changers for the segment.
The new FWD concepts will be aligned with MINI for better economies of scale. It will also allow MINI to become entirely profitable.

Dogma 2.
There will never be an M version of an X model.


The market changed , opened up new territories and a new customer dynamic.
The SUV market continues to grow as does the performance SUV market.
Luxury SUVs are impacting on luxury sedan sales and manufacturers are accepting demand in all segments. Performance SAVs under the BMW X5M and BMW X6M are considered volume sellers because in key important markets they are the best selling M Vehicles, and they continue to sell.
More SAVs and Performance SAVs under BMW M. And BMW M. Performance are coming.

Dogma 3.
There will not be an M sport version of the luxury-oriented 5GT.

M Sport packet is now essential for each new production model. As some customers like the look of the M Sport packet to enhance the image of their car.

Dogma 4.
There will never be an M badged diesel.

The M.Performance brand was created due to the demands of M customers particularly in Europe. Many countries have different legislation in regards to emissions , leading to more money required in taxes.

The M. Performance brand allows the M brand to continue in the pursuit of high performance cars that embode individual features and technology whilst M Performance caters for the requirements considered taboo for BMW M.
Such as diesel and XDrive.

The M50d models embodie everything characteristic about M. Individuality , Performance and Precision. The M550d is an excellent car and the Tri-Turbo engine is a feat of BMWs engineering prowess.
We will see further M Performance cars starting with the BMW M235i which will be a bigger icon for the brand than the M135i.

The next generation of BMW M cars starting with the new M3 and M4 will see a revolution in regards to weight reduction allowing each brand considerable breathing space to promote their individual performance credentials.

Dogma 5.
BMW don't do electric assisted power steering

Electric power assisted steering is a feature of BMW EfficientDynamics.
Every BMW is conceived to feature EfficientDynamics technology in regards to BMW meeting its required targets - something that is well on course ahead of their core competitors.

Of course like many implementation of new technology there is also a period of progress , the new BMW 5er for example shows progress but it is a constant to continue to progress and there are some upcoming new models that will show a 360 degree shift on what you normally expect a BMW with electrically assisted steering should drive like.

Dogma 6.
M cars are manual only

Again we can look at the changing demographics of the market but also in the progress of drivetrain technology. BMW M is an innovator it has developed areas our competitors cannot tread and utilises technology designed for Motorsport purpose on the road.

Each aspect is perfectly tailored to suit each individual model. An M car is special because it starts off with the key component. An excellent road car chassis and then they work on that to develop each element from gearshift to steering to dynamics etc. new technology such as the M DCT are more suited to cars like the M5 and M6 because of their status in the luxury market. Smaller M cars are more enthusiast driven so there is more need for more communication from the driver to the car.

But in recent years we have begun to see the demise of the manual. Sales of vehicles especially BMWs with manual transmissions are in decline and we are at an interesting phase to see if they will eventually die out. The only thing that can prevent that is for customers to continue to buy cars with manual transmission.

For BMW M. It understands that the purest form of performance driving lies with a manual transmission which is why the upcoming BMW M3 and BMW M4 will be offered with a manual transmission as will the next generation BMW M2 Coupe.
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