Quote:
Originally Posted by hyperzulu
Unfortunately the company has shareholders who expect a return. The motto of the company doesn't mean as much to them. If they managed to build a following that attracted buyers, they're not about to watch as those buyers jump ship to Audi because they released a model more appealing to them. It's unfortunate but cash rules everything.
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I'm sure that's right, but those shareholders should think about what happens in the long run if BMWs become completely indistinguishable from everything else on the road (save a handful of subtle styling cues and the Roundel).
I'm okay with the X and GT models not driving like traditional BMWs, but it should always be possible to equip a straight up 2 through 7 Series vehicle so that it drives
ultimately. It could be argued that the Ms serve this role, but I haven't honestly found an M appealing since the E36 M3 (or perhaps the 1M). They've basically become all-out hi-po luxury, muscle cars, which is really not the primary mission of BMW. The primary mission is to make upscale sporting cars that provide lots of feel but don't beat you up. It's not too late for them to course correct back to this, but I don't see it happening.