BMW to Add a Brand

Rocha May 13th, 2008 Link

Is Lotus really on the table, or are you just being whimsical? The Prince engine in an Elise/Exige body is a tantalizing proposition.

cct1 May 13th, 2008 Link

While I’d love to see BMW buy Lotus (the only reason a Lotus won’t be my next toy is distance to dealer; BMW buying Lotus would potentially fix that), it doesn’t really fit in with “ensuring long-term ,tightening costs and, increasing its revenues”. Lotus is a niche car (although a damned fine one), and when it first came to the States, everyone wanted one, and many bought them, only to realize that this is a street legal race car, not a practical daily driver. Throw in the hard to get at mid-engine layout, which is not a BMW forte, (and relatively high dealer service costs), and it’s even less attractive. The result was a bunch of used ones available 1-2 years after release, with some fantastic bargains…I don’t think this would be what BMW would be after.

A relatively more civilized Triumph, however, would make more sense. It wouldn’t be as big as the new Mini–simply because it wouldn’t be practical–but it could find a nice little niche to stimulate growth.

Michael May 13th, 2008 Link

Nothing indicates that Lotus is in the plans, but it would be a nice treat to have a lighter BMW with a four cylinder and/or a diesel to increase those fleet averages!