Quote:
Originally Posted by ChicagoM4
I totally agree with how BMW or any company doesn't care about individuals and I think it is kind of a ridiculous expectation for someone to think so. Business is all about money and the perception that people should be loyal was designed by companies to keep their customers (hotel, airlines, car rentals, grocery stores and BMW all do it to different extents)
To your second part about legacy; however, I half agree / half disagree and here is why. I don't necessarily believe a legacy for a car company should be such a 'concrete' idea as some believe (i.e. building 'racing vehicles' that have luxury elements) but rather I believe their legacy is around progressing forward in technology and being forward looking and relevant so that they can continue to sell cars to the 99% of drivers who aren't enthusiasts.
The part about M SUVs and just bolting on huge wheels, implanting a massive engine and giving it a slightly sportier design is spot on. BMW has sold these cars like hot cakes though which does allow them to spend money in R&D for other cars though. If I am not mistaken, this is what happened with the Porsche Cayenne, Porsche was so profitable off of that SUV and also the Panamera that they were able to funnel that revenue to to 918 team.
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Agreed. My comment regarding legacy had to do with offering well-driving simplistic cars and really bastardizing the M brand. I think BMW has chased Lexus to the point where its forgotten itself. Back in the day, when you bought a BMW, it made you a better driver simply because the car was able to do what you wanted, instinctively even if you didn't know you were doing it. Maybe with the electronic controls we now have (most pioneered by BMW ironically) we've past the point of cars making better drivers; but maybe not with the proliferation of I-drive and the like.
Loyalty to me is, does the manufacturer retain it's roots, that brought me to them in the first place. BMW not so much any more. I understand they must progress. My thought is BMW built itself on, "why do cars have to drive the way they do, why can't they be better driving?" The F10 and F30, from my experience steps back from that adage.
Good post...