official: z4 sales down 32.3%; e65 down 21.1% for the year.

[lemming]

(got my Automotive News 2005 Market Data Book today).

the e60 was only down 2.9%; the aged 325 -4.2%, the aged 330 -7.4%, the m3 -1.5%.

even the x5 was -13.5% for the year.

how does one interpret this?

from my point of view: the automobiles that are about to be replaced or are beyond mid-cycle actually did okay (i.e. e46 and x5). the middle of the road redesign 5 series is flat but may pick up; the excessively styled vehicles such as the z4 and new 7 series fell flat on their automotive faces.

in comparison, MB and Audi didn't do too badly: their old platforms went down and the new ones increased in sales. if the e90 doesn't sell like hotcakes and the e60 sales do not pick up, someone is going to get fired at BMW.

count on it.

relying on low profit margin x3s and mini coopers to boost sales for a luxury brand is a road to financial ruin.

[lip277]

That and BMW seems to be saying that they are "OK" with not building a car that caters to their historical sales base.

Now their 'new' sales base seems to be looking the other way as well.

Yep - Someone's going to get canned. Big time. Maybe even several people.

Gawd - I hope so. ;)

[lemming]

was there ever a dropoff in sales like this before while they were restyling the cars?

(historically, i mean).

[ARCHER]

Yep - Someone's going to get canned. Big time. Maybe even several people.

Gawd - I hope so. ;)

Apparently, the new design direction isn't "growing" on a lot of people. As I have always contended, this design trend at BMW is purely design for the sake of design. It has no substance and the numbers bear that fact. They were launched ugly, they are maturing ugly and they will die ugly - much like Bangle's employment at BMW, I suspect.

Controversial design will grow on people if it is truly good, but all the smoke and mirrors in the world won't help it if it isn't.

[SCA]

Oh please let there be a BIG shake up @ BMW AG! :banana:

[FC]

Oh please let there be a BIG shake up @ BMW AG! :banana:

I'd love fro BMW to make proper Z4 and Z4 coupe sportscars. A true Boxster/Cayman competitor with a 15-20% discount vs the Porsches. I'd be all over one.

But I am afraid a shake up may bring back beautiful BMW's, but I'm not so sure about it ridding the brand of electronic nannies, bloated weights, and useless gadgets.

What I don't get is, BMW already has all the infrastructure to make EVERY car a la carte. They should, on their performance vehicles ONLY at least, have them start basically stripped, and allow you to put as much crap into it as you desire. Maybe that way you could have a good-looking Z4 that weighs a LOT less. I'm sure that would kick ass.

[John V]

good-looking Z4

That term is an oxymoron.

[FC]

good-looking Z4

That term is an oxymoron.

As we currently know it, absolutely. But there is always hope.:crossing fingers:

[dan]

:speechle:

http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/70379.jpg

http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/70377.jpg

http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/70378.jpg

http://bilder.autobild.de/bilder/1/70376.jpg

[TD]

That last pic aside, is that supposedly a facelift or the next gen Z4?

It doesn't look all that bad. There might be hope.

[FC]

That last pic aside, is that supposedly a facelift or the next gen Z4?

It doesn't look all that bad. There might be hope.

I was going to say the same... It could be better, but at least I would not dismiss it on looks alone like the current one.

[lemming]

the 2 middle pictures look decent.