Comments on: BMW Press Release Regarding Future Plans and CS Concept

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:22:13 +0000

BUMER, I totaly agree. We cant unfortunately persuade BMW to build a car of our choice because if that was the case then BMW would probably have about 100 different models. Yes they did abandon the CS but that doesnt mean that the company cant use some of the CS’s design cues for future projects. Would it be great if the next gen. M3 had the same design cues as the CS, that would make the M3 the worlds most sexiest super sedan/coupe. BMW will probably(more than likely) use the CS’s design cues for future projects. Well soon I will have photoshop renders of the next gen. M3 with some CS features incorporated into it’s design. Hopefully BMW AG will get a hold of these renders and reconsider there strategic plans for future cars.

By: BUMER

BUMER — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:17:16 +0000

2Lee Not having CS in a model line is not the reason. The reason is that this model had been previously confirmed to be produced – thus the exciting moment of expectation was given to customers. And when such an auto giant like BMW couldn’t meet fans’ demand – this is a question of image and reputation. This is what I mean. Well, we have different point of views but all in all BMW made a decision and we can’t influence, unfortunately. Hope they will return to the project after all.

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:42:23 +0000

@BUMER:
“Not profitable but necessary for company’s image.”

They’ve survived how many years without the CS to bolster their “image”? Do they seem to be any more low-brow right now because they don’t have a CS in their lineup?

Would it be nice to have? Sure it would, in an ideal world. Right now, though, if they don’t feel as though they can justify the loss of $ on what they know isn’t going to be a profitable venture, I don’t blame them a bit. In business there comes a time to be conservative; this appears to be one of them. After a while when things turn around they can go back to having fun, cranking out concepts and expanding boundaries. As of now, they’re probably correct to put more resources into their other projects instead of some “flagship” that’s likely to hemorrhage money.

By: BUMER

BUMER — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:39:33 +0000

2Lee But MB CLS couldn’t satisfy needs of all customers! Even if CLS is a great car, it’s boring just to have one 4-door coupe in the market – I mean market of premium brand cars. That’s why it seems to me that BMW’s project CS would be successful. Just because people tired of CLS. Isn’t it a good opportunity for BMW to try to compete with Porsche Panamera and Aston Martin Rapide for winning the game? And of course BMW should think not only about justifying costs but also about what customers want. Like VW with its Phaeton model which is not profitable but necessary for company’s image. I’ve already mentioned it.

By: A miało być tak pięknie.. | BMW Time - Kult marki BMW

A miało być tak pięknie.. | BMW Time - Kult marki BMW — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:26:45 +0000

[...] potwierdzona: BMWblog (1), BMWblog (2), BimmerFile, GlobalMotors, Leftlinenews, [...]

By: Lee

Lee — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:10:06 +0000

@BUMER:
Mercedes has already beat BMW to the punch with their “4-door coupe” concept CLS. If BMW released the CS, it would just be for the sake of having one to compete with MB in a very limited portion of the market that would want one.

Would they sell a few CS’s? Sure. Would they sell enough to justify the cost of adding another model to their line-up? Who knows. BMW apparently doesn’t believe they would. I’m inclined to agree with them.

By: BUMER

BUMER — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:44:55 +0000

Cannot see any really strong reasons for not making a production car based on Concept CS from this press release. Not only BMW Group is facing the financial crisis. Why Mercedes does not cancel their Gullwing SLC? Or Audi, for instance, is going to make A1. These companies don’t tell their customers something about “crisis, decreasing sales” or whatever. In my opinion, CS project will only help BMW with sales, popularity and no doubt that if CS had been built, it would have been high-demanded product. Maybe I’m very subjective but I think that BMW is making a big mistake.

By: Auday

Auday — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:42:16 +0000

“So for the time being, we can do without this “brand shaper” since we have many others in our portfolio.”
So arrogant!!
they can’t say it more clearly, BMW only cares about direct instant profitability.

By: Lee

Lee — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:20:49 +0000

@Gragop: It is cyclical and it will bounce back... The only question is whether the CS will even be relevant by then.

By: Brookside

Brookside — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:01:31 +0000

All in all, a business syllabis that acknowledges the grim financial global reality. Hey, it’s tough out there….even for BMW.
A shame to read of the layoffs- but this (like Gragop says) is a fluid situation…already some pundits are saying that we’ve hit bottom in the real estate/bad paper mortgages.
What I worry about now is the tightening of the credit markets- whether for loans or other methods of financing, eg; leasing. It does seem that the US election is going to fuel perceptions that a new leadership team will begin to turn this around. I sure hope so.

By: Gragop

Gragop — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:24:12 +0000

The 1973 oil crisis cannot be used as reasoning for BMW not producing fast cars – they made the 2002 turbo and 3.0CSL in those years too … just sayin…

The market is cyclical – it will come back around then BMW will reissue a press release that says “wait! we’re making it!”