BMW boss confirms FWD future

[Ryder]

http://www.wheels24.co.za/Content/N...18-03-2010-07-56/BMW_boss_confirms_FWD_future

The disturbing part of the media conference came when Reithofer conjectured about BMW’s future growth being fundamentally driven by small cars. Front-wheel driven small cars in fact – and we're not talking Mini here…

"We are exploring the possibility of developing a joint architecture for the front and four-wheel drive systems of these (small) cars. In other words: There will be front-wheel drive BMWs in the smaller vehicle classes in the future."

If the boss says that, then you had better believe it's going to come to fruition.

:mmm::mmm::mmm:

 

[freerider]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Yulz9081]

:bawling::bawling::bawling::bawling::bawling::bawling::bawling::bawling::bawling::bawling::bawling::bawling::bawling:

 

[Major]

Hey, if it's in the small cars, I can understand. Imagine a RWD Smart car or something, there's just no point. But yeah, FWD BMW's? Eish.

 

[Nic_s]

The problem with "Small" BMW's are that they're not cheap. That's one of the biggest reasons people buy small cars. These "Small" BMW's will not be as cheap as some of the other cars on the road. If BMW wants their small cars to compete against cars like the fiesta or fiat panda, they will have to bring their manufacturing costs down. Building FWD cars is just the first step to cutting costs. BMW will have to lower their build quality standards to cut further costs.

These cars will be like that Merc A1. It's a very nice car (Compared to the rest of the cars in the same class), but it's way to expensive. And thus people will end up buying the cheaper alternatives like ford, opel, or VW.

This is a bad move by BMW. People are already way to scared to buy a BMW because of the fear of high maintenance costs... they will much rather buy something like a ford before even considering a Small BMW.

 

[Ryder]

The problem with "Small" BMW's are that they're not cheap. That's one of the biggest reasons people buy small cars. These "Small" BMW's will not be as cheap as some of the other cars on the road. If BMW wants their small cars to compete against cars like the fiesta or fiat panda, they will have to bring their manufacturing costs down. Building FWD cars is just the first step to cutting costs. BMW will have to lower their build quality standards to cut further costs.

These cars will be like that Merc A1. It's a very nice car (Compared to the rest of the cars in the same class), but it's way to expensive. And thus people will end up buying the cheaper alternatives like ford, opel, or VW.

This is a bad move by BMW. People are already way to scared to buy a BMW because of the fear of high maintenance costs... they will much rather buy something like a ford before even considering a Small BMW.

I dont think they're aiming for the budget segment though, small does not necessarily mean budget like panda and fiestas. It's most likely they're going to compete against Audi's A1 which is going to be premium priced.

 

[Gizmo]

I will believe it when I see it....

 

[Nic_s]

The problem with "Small" BMW's are that they're not cheap. That's one of the biggest reasons people buy small cars. These "Small" BMW's will not be as cheap as some of the other cars on the road. If BMW wants their small cars to compete against cars like the fiesta or fiat panda, they will have to bring their manufacturing costs down. Building FWD cars is just the first step to cutting costs. BMW will have to lower their build quality standards to cut further costs.

These cars will be like that Merc A1. It's a very nice car (Compared to the rest of the cars in the same class), but it's way to expensive. And thus people will end up buying the cheaper alternatives like ford, opel, or VW.

This is a bad move by BMW. People are already way to scared to buy a BMW because of the fear of high maintenance costs... they will much rather buy something like a ford before even considering a Small BMW.

I dont think they're aiming for the budget segment though, small does not necessarily mean budget like panda and fiestas. It's most likely they're going to compete against Audi's A1 which is going to be premium priced.

BMW already has the 1 series which will compete directly with the A1 as far as I can tell. If BMW goes even smaller and FWD, then one can only assume they're planning to build cars to be in the same class as fiesta's or polo's.

 

[zaleonardz]

but then its not a premier german car anymore

Mind you, I believe a new 320d is like 500k nowadays...

 

[Ryder]

The problem with "Small" BMW's are that they're not cheap. That's one of the biggest reasons people buy small cars. These "Small" BMW's will not be as cheap as some of the other cars on the road. If BMW wants their small cars to compete against cars like the fiesta or fiat panda, they will have to bring their manufacturing costs down. Building FWD cars is just the first step to cutting costs. BMW will have to lower their build quality standards to cut further costs.

These cars will be like that Merc A1. It's a very nice car (Compared to the rest of the cars in the same class), but it's way to expensive. And thus people will end up buying the cheaper alternatives like ford, opel, or VW.

This is a bad move by BMW. People are already way to scared to buy a BMW because of the fear of high maintenance costs... they will much rather buy something like a ford before even considering a Small BMW.

I dont think they're aiming for the budget segment though, small does not necessarily mean budget like panda and fiestas. It's most likely they're going to compete against Audi's A1 which is going to be premium priced.

BMW already has the 1 series which will compete directly with the A1 as far as I can tell. If BMW goes even smaller and FWD, then one can only assume they're planning to build cars to be in the same class as fiesta's or polo's.

The 1 series falls into the same class as the A3, the A1 will be a small city car along the lines of the Nissan Micra and Fiat 500, and which I suppose will aim to rival the Mini as well. All these cars are in a niche segment and are premium priced. If BMW decides to build something smaller they would have to think about how much sales it would potentially take away from Mini. :thumbsup:

 

[///Marksman]

I'm with Gizmo on this one.

I sure hope Reithofer is talking BS again much like his colleagues did when they mentioned that there would be NO Z4 M Coupe & No stripped out e92 (read: GTS).

 

[msm]

Well IMHO BMW did a pretty good job with the Mini, so I'm keen to see what happens ...

 

[M3SMG]

Always wished they made a 4 wd mini. As for FWD not cool.:nono::nono: BMW is rear wheel drive and its unlikely they will change this. I think they also realise loyal BMW fans will not buy this.

However if it enables BMW to generate more revenue I'm up for it as long as they spend an equal amount on developing ///M cars

 

[splintheter]

Hey, if it's in the small cars, I can understand. Imagine a RWD Smart car or something, there's just no point. But yeah, FWD BMW's? Eish.

Dude, Smart cars are RWD!!!

 

[Major]

Hey, if it's in the small cars, I can understand. Imagine a RWD Smart car or something, there's just no point. But yeah, FWD BMW's? Eish.

Dude, Smart cars are RWD!!!

You're absolutely right, my bad, they're RR cars, I didn't know that! Just assumed they would be FF!

 

[zaleonardz]

I did not know that either, and that really begs the question :WTF:

 

[Mike1]

Since we are all correcting each other...

Mini has launched a 4WD Car. Its called the Countryman.

Mike

 

[Hellas]

Mini has launched a 4WD Car. Its called the Countryman.

Imagine that short wheel base with AWD capabilities... It would sit in the corners like duct tape on a cortina... (borrowed that one from clutchy...)

 

[veridico]

FWD isnt the end of the world, its sad BMW would consider selling out to make some extra cash, but the Mercedes A and B class are both FWD. It is just another segment of the market for BMW to make cars that dominate.

 

[M3SMG]

just looked at the countryman, looks pretty decent. Would love a performance based mini AWD though. Why doesn't MINI enter the WRC? would be cool, just a thought:thinker: