Quote:
Originally Posted by CarGuy An once again Im wondering maybe even more so than when i heard about the X3, what is the point of this segment???? |
Mind that production green light for such vehicles is also based on market researches, consumer behavior researches, trend researches etc.
BMW is very rational & conservative regarding model line (therefore no mid-engine supercar in their portfolio!). The decisions for new vehicles are not a product of emotions, but reason.
X3: BMW marketing department detected bigger SAV demand in Europe, yet researches showed established SAVs were too big and too expensive. Customers prefered RAV4 size, but wanted more premium product. And BMW made one. Last year BMW sold more than 111,000 units of X3 worldwide!!!
X6: Large SAV segment is becoming crowded, compact SAV segment is also developing - meaning BMW will face more & more competition there (GLK by MB, Q5 by Audi, Lexus is thinking about RAV4 based vehicle etc). So BMW went out and researched the trends & needs. They found out some people want very sporty SAV - with emphasis on sportiness, not utility. A lifestyle vehicle. A statement. X5 was too "utility" for many. People wanted some sort of off-roadish coupe. A vehicle with SAV-like sitting position, but with a driving dynamics, performance & shape of a sports coupe. Where utility is a second hand matter. And BMW will offer such vehicle: X6.
V5: Especially in Europe wagons are very popular. But they are also perceived as "utility vehicles" ... with a sporty touch. But there is a need for different vehicle, researches showed. People want an upscale vehicle with a specific design (to differ it from wagons), luxury of a big sedan, space of a wagon, and sportiness of a coupe. And BMW will offer one: V5. Also MB detected such trend, but they interpreted it wrongly: they thought people wanted van-ish like luxury people mover. Also they somehow (???) detected US is more potentil market than Europe. They missed the will a bit. BMW interpretation will be much better. You'll see.
Also:
1. eg. what's the point of 4dr coupe CLS??? But the vehicle proved to be a hit, and now many other manufacturers rush to be there ASAP with their own products.
2. BMW also detected a need for premium compact hatches in Europe, and offered a 3er Compact in 1994. Unfortunately the product was mis-marketed, also the design was not too well excepted, so the car was not a success. But with the introduction of 1-series hatch BMW proved to be correct: 1er is a hit.
...