Quote:
Originally Posted by Ryephile
Do they really need 12 model line-ups, with 5 of them having a barrage of unique sheetmetal amongst them? This is ignoring the //M offerings too, which have their own sheet metal too.
*1-er hatch 3 & 5 doors
*2-er coupe and GC and 'vert
*3-er sedan and wagon and GT
*4-er coupe and GC and 'vert
*5-er sedan and wagon and GT and LWB sedan for China
*6-er coupe and GC and 'vert
*7-er sedan short and long wheelbase
*X1
*X3
*X5
*X6
*Z4
That's a rather busy portfolio for a company that doesn't sell all that many cars. I'm not sure I see long-term financial viability with so many micro-niche offerings.
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Yupp, and more models coming. The lines seems to be expanding.
They are introducing i-series. And new FWD cars too.
I would not say they are micro-nice offerings. BMW sales are increasing, and quite good. They are adjusting to the times and meeting new markets while making production costs lower per car.
Here are some US numbers for November, a great month for BMW in the US. Insane growth compared to last year at the same time:
Worldwide BMW sales, first half year.
Worldwide Mini sales, first half year.
Mini have also been expanding. Mini coupe, Mini Roadster, and now Mini Paceman
(BMW also have Rolls-Royce)
BMW+Mini Wordwide sales are: 900k in the first 6 months. I think the 2. half of the year is better. So numbers might be close to 2 million cars sold in 2012.
By increasing the line-up BMW are also decreasing the cost of production per car by a little. As long as sales, market shares and overall profit are increasing they will not stop increasing the line-up.
Considering that the VW group are made by Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, SEAT, Skoda and Volkswagen I would assume they have several production advantages. Especially Audi, Skoda, Seat and VW, which in many cases use the same engines and chassis, and mix many components.
Looks like the new thing is to either go big or go home.. Or collaborate.. Which several manufacturers are doing.
Mini (BMW) have collaborated with the PSA group. Peugeot/Citroen on the engine in the Mini.
BMW have some stuff going on with Toyota in terms of engines and EV-technology.
BMW are also collaborating with Boeing (the airplanes!) on carbon fiber. Which BMW plan to use a lot of in the future, starting with their i-cars.
They probably have lots of other stuff going on too.