German car companies are passionate about cars, in contrast US car companies are passionate about money. Today US auto industry is being dismantled in the most disrespectful way into small parts and being sold off at dirt cheap prices.
The point I am trying to make, is that if you let money become the priority in life it is only a matter of time before you have nothing to offer.
I am sure this hideous piece of machinery will bring a descent amount of profit to the company, I mean why wouldn't it? There are plenty of one-uppers that would love to get it just to impress their next door neighbor. What it is going to take away from BMW is the meaning of the letter ///M. Soon enough that letter will represent nothing more than a trim... you know much like the R/T symbol on Chryslers.
In auto industry reputation takes decades to build and only years to tarnish. BMW is still riding on their Motorsport Division reputation from the 70s and 80s. So while the actual # of true BMW gear heads right now is small, those are the folks leading the wave. When they leave the brand it will turn into nothing but a company building glorified Civics for the upper middle class.
...but then again... to each his own. Wanna know what ///M used to stand for? come visit me, I'll take you for a spin in the greatest ///M ever built.
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Originally Posted by Brooklyn
I do understand the background. I also understand BMW is a business and the M-division, which was founded as a racing department, started selling cars to the public because there was a demand for performance cars. That was in the late 70's, now, 30 years later, there is a market for performance trucks and they have started selling M-trucks to the public. How is this any different?
So the argument is that BMW is turning their backs on their "loyal fan base" of M buyers? To begin with, this fan base isn’t a particularly large % of the BMW consumer base to begin with. Then we can reduce that percentage of the M fan base by those who aren’t personally offended by BMW's choice to produce these vehicles, and the number of personally offended BMW M-enthusiasts shrinks even further. Should BMW worry that a handful of people will stop buying M cars?
The automotive world is in constant flux, it would be stupid of the BMW development group to NOT include a vehicle to compete with the Porsche Cayenne’s and the Mercedes AMG trucks. What will the M enthusiasts, who think of this as a personal affront, say when BMW M division replaces their traditionally naturally aspirated engines with forced induction engines to compete with the changing markets?
Furthermore, where will these dedicated enthusiasts go? Will they start driving Mustangs for their naturally aspirated engines? Do you think BMW will lose customers because of their choice to produce M-trucks to compete in the ever-changing market? If they are so offended by BMW's choice to produce M-division trucks it will be hypocritical of them to drive MB's whose AMG tuning department also has a line of trucks, or Porsche's, with their Cayenne's. The fact is, most of them will continue to buy M cars.
Lets face it, the BMW marketing department probably has a better idea of what will be best for their business than some BMW forum members and M-enthusiats who feel personally betrayed by a large automotive companies choice to make more money. Things will always change and I suppose there will always be a percentage of the customer base who feels as though they are in some way important, when in reality, they arent.
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