[bucket328]

I'm glad they finally see the light, but don't start axing models you've made for years!!

Get rid of the 5 GT, 3 GT, 4GC, X4, X6, Forget the X2 and just stop with all the BS Combo models. You don't need them. Stick with the basics, Sedan, Coupe, Wagon!!! BMW lost the plot years ago.

[dslboomer]

Auto manufacturers figured that new models were needed to gain market shares and blanketed every segments. There are limited amount of consumer's money to share, and consumer will dictate which models will loose.

[M3 Adjuster]

BMW tries to convince us that the roadster Is dead.. meanwhile.. Miata sales explode to the highest in decades... Boxster keeps on selling..

[Gamb1t]

There are still areas to expand for BMW. Pick-ups, minivans (sliding door kind), minivan Gran Coupe, Pick-up Gran Poupe, micro-SUV, micro car (is it that the i3?) etc.

BTW speaking of demise, BMW will be axing manual non-M cars. According to BMW execs...

I know that I can't take no more
It ain't no lie
I want to see you out that door
Baby, bye, bye, bye

[Kiwi]

BMW's Z4 was compromised when it went from soft top to hard top convertible as well not updating the whole car years ago. It has lost it's fan base and may never get them back to numbers it once had.

[MalibuBimmer]

The one model that BMW doesn;'t make, but should, is a Mercedes SL or GT killer. The Z4 and upcoming Z5 are not competitive.

[mvigod]

Way too confusing and too many choices (google "paradox of choice"). Steve Jobs famously understood this and came back to apple and slashed their BMW like expansive and confusing product lines. 3 models were left. Good. Better and Best.

Granted doing a good, better, best in cars is more difficult but I think they need to pare down at least half the lineup or at least clean up the naming nomenclature. Instead of the odd/even BS just give it one name and let consumer order with 2 or 4 doors. That alone does alot there. Then kill off any model that the sales don't justify it. Take those engineering resources and pour it into what remains to make them that much better.

Ask yourself "What would Steve Jobs do?"

[Jono2112]

Porsche here I come (...back)!

[instalher]

I said kill the m3 only because the m2 is a better car at doing the "m thing" the 3 series is a great car for someone to get into a bmw for not to much of a hit to the wallet, and I think that's why its BMW #1 selling model. So to that extent they should concentrate on keeping it affordable and for anyone... Now the 2 can be slotted for the sports minded driver, the 5 for the up and coming bank executive, The 6 for the baller who really dosent want his blinged out h3 anymore... and the 7 for the actual bank owner... find your niche and built on it..

[Jadar]

Lol do they think they have too many models. Start by cutting that 1 series active tourer abomination mini van and the 4 series! Wtf did we need a 3 series and a 4 series. So stupid.

[Yay-Z]

Originally Posted by instalher

axe the 4, kill the mx6, kill the m3, stick with whats golden.... to many choices just confuses people.. its nice to have choice but common sense has to come into factor at some time... the m2, keep the 3 but make one a convertible, keep, the 5 and 7 done for cars, make a x1 3 5 done... and start making thorium cars,, right now tata motors is the only company doing anything with this super efficient and CHEAP technology,

[3M TAPE]

Originally Posted by instalher

axe the 4, kill the mx6, kill the m3, stick with whats golden.... to many choices just confuses people.. its nice to have choice but common sense has to come into factor at some time... the m2, keep the 3 but make one a convertible, keep, the 5 and 7 done for cars, make a x1 3 5 done... and start making thorium cars,, right now tata motors is the only company doing anything with this super efficient and CHEAP technology,

[Pyrat 2]

They are really just figuring this out now!??? Well better late than never. I don't recall the latest annual sales figures but that would be the starting point but also considering where each model sits in the lifecycle. I suspect that the GTs as well as the X4 and X6 would be getting scrutiny. Plus these cost real extra dollars for them because they are unique body styles with high tooling costs.

[DonkeyBalls]

.

[W///]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

BMW tries to convince us that the roadster Is dead.. meanwhile.. Miata sales explode to the highest in decades... Boxster keeps on selling..

I'm not sure I agree here. Even if the MX5 are selling as high as they've been in 10 years, they're still a drop in the bucket compared to all the other cars they sell. No offense to anyone that buys them, but I could never imagine myself dropping $30k for a new one. That's a lot of resources a company has to spend to come up with a bespoke chassis

Also, if you go to a Porsche dealerships, the Boxsters either don't sell, or they are offered at a significant discount. Meanwhile, the Macans and Cayennes fly off the showroom floor. At least this is what's going on around here.

Don't get me wrong, I finally saw the light and got myself the Z4MR, but I'll be the first to admit that these cars are one trick ponies. I think most people nowadays want cars to do everything. Look at the M3 now. Decently comfy, practical, fast, somewhat economical ect ect...

I predict that once the Z5 comes out, it'll be a slow seller

[DonkeyBalls]

Originally Posted by instalher

axe the 4, kill the mx6, kill the m3, stick with whats golden.... to many choices just confuses people.. its nice to have choice but common sense has to come into factor at some time... the m2, keep the 3 but make one a convertible, keep, the 5 and 7 done for cars, make a x1 3 5 done... and start making thorium cars,, right now tata motors is the only company doing anything with this super efficient and CHEAP technology,

Kill the M3?

Seriously, step away from the crack.

[instalher]

Originally Posted by DonkeyBalls

Kill the M3?

Are you on day release?

lol. I love the m3 but if they are thinking about cutting something out, between the m2 and m3, I say the m3, everyone agrees the m2 is the perfect blend of price to power to comfort.. That cant be said for the m3, But the 3 series outsells the 2 brand by a long shot, so keep refining the 3 and keep making the 2 the perfect all around sports luxury car...

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

A sensible analysis with a bit too alarmist a slant and perhaps too aggressive a timeline.

No doubt some models will be discontinued in the coming years, but I think it's more than safe to say that lower end four seat coupes and convertibles will remain, including performance models like the BMW's M2 and M4, and Mercedes' C63. Likewise, the AMG GT and legitimate near-exotic sports cars from others (such as Porsche for example) will remain.

What will go? Either the SL or SLK probably won't survive, and arguably both could go if they were to expand the AMG GT down market with a six cylinder model. Either the E or S class coupe could also bow out. For BMW the upcoming 8 Series models may already have killed the two-door 6 Series. And BMW's two new yet-to-debut roadsters - the 'Z5' and i8 Spyder? If they don't catch on I could see both not being asked back for a second round.

Audi seems to be in the best spot in this area. TT, A/S/RS5, and R8 all seem like viable products. Maybe the A3/S3 convertible not so much, but the convertible is really the odd man out in that model lineup anyway.

I think the i8 spyder is going to be an awesome halo car, and the Z5 will be built on the same platform as the toyota supra. Would be curious to see which ones they kill. Maybe the cheaper 2 series but keep the M240i and M2, those resonate with enthusiasts. Maybe also kill the 320i and make the 330i the base model with a base price lower than the 330i currently is but maybe a couple grand more than the 320. Throw in some extras as standard like M-sport package as well to justify the price increase in addition to the added ponies and much quicker 0-60

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

BMW's Z4 was compromised when it went from soft top to hard top convertible as well not updating the whole car years ago. It has lost it's fan base and may never get them back to numbers it once had.

I mean, they all probably bought Boxsters, and I don't blame them if they never looked back.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

BMW's Z4 was compromised when it went from soft top to hard top convertible as well not updating the whole car years ago. It has lost it's fan base and may never get them back to numbers it once had.

I mean, they all probably bought Boxsters, and I don't blame them if they never looked back.

[farns2345]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

BMW tries to convince us that the roadster Is dead.. meanwhile.. Miata sales explode to the highest in decades... Boxster keeps on selling..

Not to challenge this, but I agree w the general statement that roadsters are dead or at least have been dying a slow death for many years. The sales numbers back the statement. How many roadsters do you see on the road on a daily basis? Sure the boxsters 'sell' but the numbers aren't great. Porsche doesn't sell the volume of cars that BMW or Merc does. As for the Miata it's the cheapest fun convertible you can buy and they recently released a new generation so that would explain the recent sales explosion.

Don't get me wrong it would be great if car manufacturers could continue to produce all kinds of models to satisfy all buyers, but at the end of the day businesses have to do what makes sense and maximizes profit. It's the same reason why they're getting rid of the manuals.

[scoleda]

we all do realize we are about to get a 6GT as well in the states right? They will be on the ground in a few months.