Aug 2nd, 2008
As we had mentioned earlier in the year, when BMW moved the majority of US bound 3 series production to outside of Germany, BMW is adapting to worldwide economic conditions in order to increase profitability.
We could further elaborate on this after several announcements yesterday by BMWAG but to put it simply: We can not analyze the situation any better than our dear friend Jonathan Spira. Jonathan is CEO and Chief Analyst of Basex Inc., as well as a key contributer to Roundel and the BMWCCA. His full analysis of the future BMW strategy can be found here: Shifting Gears: BMW to Cut Production and Raise Prices
We have seen this coming for sometime due to the down turn of the US economy and the strength of other emerging markets, what will be interesting to see is exactly how much of an increase we are talking and what future models will get scrapped.
Jul 16th, 2008
Today BMWUSA.com now has a link to the 2009 3 series sedan. Instead of telling us what the US version will have and what to expect this fall they link to the European press release.
The new 3 Series Sedan Breaks Cover
The epitome of sporty style, the new 3 Series Sedan remains, as it has for years, one of the most widely sold premium vehicles in the world. The latest model includes a redesigned interior, restyled exterior and new safety and comfort technology.
The new 3 Series Sedan will be available at BMW centers in fall 2008.
Until then, explore the International Press Kit. Note: the European models includes slight variations from those that will be available in the U.S. The U.S. press release is coming soon.
If they would like some of us enthusiasts to write the press release I think we would be more than happy to help! It is troublesome to think that they are keeping everyone in the dark and speculating on what will be in order to possibly move a few more 2008 cars by leaving the possibility of something not being available in the US. The current lease programs and finance rates should be more than enough to move the current stock or is there something else holding them back from making things official?
What do you think?
Image: BMWUSA.com
Jun 5th, 2008
Today, I thought I would discuss this little conundrum BMW has gotten itself in.
I was able to spend sometime this weekend with some friends discussing the finer things in life; cars, fences and window blinds (please keep reading, in all seriousness this really has to do with cars). I am blessed to have friend’s that share my passion for cars, though we all have some what different tastes. Some like US built cars and trucks, others Japanese and of course German engineered marvels. During this discussion (the car portion) the one thing that I could not get out of my mind was how BMW has not learned from the past or from other’s mistakes.
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