Quote:
Originally Posted by Inablur
Its just that there is almost an X - vehicle for every series. All we are missing is an x2 now. The porsche cayenne fits right in with the x5 and ML segment. Do we really need anything bigger than that? Its just that BMW are producing so many cars that not only is it diluting the brand. but the core elements that made bmw's stand above the rest. Nowadays we have mercs and audis that drive better than bmws and thats what Im essentially getting at. The company is becoming like toyota for people with money (and i thought that was a job for lexus)
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The same sentiments that Porsche fans made when they introduced the Cayenne, Macan and Panamera...
Diluting the brand or not, BMW probably looks at Audi, Merc and Porsche and see that they make a good profit by expanding their model range.
Audi has:
Q3
Q5
Q7
MB has:
G-Class Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
GL-Class Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
GLA-Class Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
GLB-Class Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
GLK-Class Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
M-Class Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)
R-Class Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
That BMW expands their model range into X3, X4, X5, X6 and X7 isn't such a big deal IMO. In fact, it would have been a bigger problem if BMW was stuck in the past because of old rigid principles that meant they could only make sedans. Old dinosaurs that can't adapt to a changing market tend to disappear after a while... If the market wants premium SUV's, and are willing to pay, then BMW has to look into those opportunities. Even Porsche decided they had to this. And BMW isn't as exclusive and premium as Porsche is. BMW is a mass manufacturer and profit (short and long term) is what the shareholders want.