Autoblog: Dr. Segler Says No Limited 1M production

[Mark]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Autoblog asks Dr. Segler about limited production

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Well, during the Detroit Autoshow, Autoblog got to ask Dr. Kay Segler a few questions about the 1M. The main topic of the conversation seems to have revolved around the affordability of the car, and how the 1M is the least expensive car BMW M has ever sold.


But what I found most interesting is Autoblog reporting that Dr. Segler definitively confirmed the BMW 1M is not limited in overall production numbers. He did qualify the statement by saying, "But they will be hard to get."


What does this mean exactly you may be asking yourself right now? To me, what I take from this is: BMW has put no artificial limit on production #s as has been reported on and off again, but there likely is some overall number of these cars that can physically be produced by BMW at a time, and the demand is out there to either match or exceed what BMW can actually produce. Thats the best I can come up with.

There you have it, no production limit.

Source: Autoblog

[Jaguar66]

So why would they be hard to get? If they were produced in unlimited numbers, they would be easy to get. I think he has made a little M lie.

[Dackelone]

So... "no production limit" but... "they will be hard to get" ???

This sounds like German double-speak to me.

[BrokenVert]

Say what?

[HERR FSTIR]

This coy marketing routine about production numbers is really getting silly. This on-again-off-again production limit schtick is getting tiresome.

Segler should just be honest and state production lasts until early 2012, and if you want one, then place an order within the next 12 months. If the car is as "M pure" as he has claimed, then sales volume will be just fine.

[PyratOne]

it means they are making plenty of them, but they are already sold to someone besides you!

[blueshark]

Bravo Dr. Kay! Would love to own one of these.

[bozola]

I predict... slow seller.

[BMWDAD]

At the auto show 2700 world wide. 600 coming to USA. ASKED 6 different reps.

[gstopyra]

Originally Posted by bozola

I predict... slow seller.

$47k base...$50k+ with options. I agree and hence the need for them to drum up support. I always thought the production number is an intentional marketing ploy. If I recall, DIAS stated limited numbers for 2011...but what about 2012? has anyone thought these rumors of limited first year production, and if BMW meets those numbers, they will produce for a second year?

I too had bought into the hype, but my inability to off-load my 135i and the release of the price, has me thankful I have a 135i that is about 85% of the performance of the 1M. If it's that great a car, I'll pick one up used in a few years or look towards the M2.

[techthentic]

No production limit but hard to get makes perfect sense.
There is still a production run time line... and they only allocate so much of the production line for the one 1M. So depending on demand, demand could easily out number the amount of cars allocated for the production line to build in the timespan for 1M production.

[Technic]

Originally Posted by bozola

I predict... slow seller.

Since BMW started doing the stupid 1M strip tease marketing the only thing that I kept thinking was that this sucker will have a hard time selling.

[blueshark]

Originally Posted by techthentic

No production limit but hard to get makes perfect sense.
There is still a production run time line... and they only allocate so much of the production line for the one 1M. So depending on demand, demand could easily out number the amount of cars allocated for the production line to build in the timespan for 1M production.

exactly

[Séve]

Originally Posted by techthentic

No production limit but hard to get makes perfect sense.
There is still a production run time line... and they only allocate so much of the production line for the one 1M. So depending on demand, demand could easily out number the amount of cars allocated for the production line to build in the timespan for 1M production.

No flame at all, but to qualify this statement, are you implying that BMW production is at its peak? I would think not, given the economic climate here in the States and world.

[HERR FSTIR]

Agree. The production capabilities of the Leipzig plant have been previously discussed, and it that doesn't appear to be a bottleneck for producing significant numbers of the 1M.

[Dackelone]

Leipzig can only build so many cars. I read just last week about the new X1 selling so well that the US model will be delayed. BMW said they are producing about 100K X1 units per year. Leipzig also builds ALL e82(coupes), e88('verts) and e81 two door hatches - as well. The e87's are built in Regensburg.

SO... Currently Liepzig can only build about 177K units per year... so I wonder what the break down in car models is like. My best guess(estitmate) is:

100K = X1's
44K = e82 & e88's
33K = e82's

177K total units

So how are they gonna built the 1M on the same line? Maybe add a thrid shift?

Dackel

[blueshark]

Originally Posted by Séve

No flame at all, but to qualify this statement, are you implying that BMW production is at its peak? I would think not, given the economic climate here in the States and world.

I don't think techthentic is referring to all of BMW's production.

In this case, supply / demand comes down to the 1-series production line. BMW must allocate limited production between base 1-series demand and 1-M demand. This could be logistically difficult, especially since the 1 doesn't have a huge amount of production in the first place (not like the 3-series).

The 3-series, on the other hand is much higher in volume, and I would think the M3 has its own dedicated production capacity. BMW plan their manufacturing strategy from the start of 3-series production to support M3 volume.

I don't think the 1-series production benefited from the same long-term capacity planning.

[E821M]

Originally Posted by BMWDAD

At the auto show 2700 world wide. 600 coming to USA. ASKED 6 different reps.

I'm wondering if the 2700 world 600 US are rough estimates of what BMW expects to sell instead of a set production limit.

[Séve]

Originally Posted by blueshark

I don't think techthentic is referring to all of BMW's production.

In this case, supply / demand comes down to the 1-series production line. BMW must allocate limited production between base 1-series demand and 1-M demand. This could be logistically difficult, especially since the 1 doesn't have a huge amount of production in the first place (not like the 3-series).

The 3-series, on the other hand is much higher in volume, and I would think the M3 has its own dedicated production capacity. BMW plan their manufacturing strategy from the start of 3-series production to support M3 volume.

I don't think the 1-series production benefited from the same long-term capacity planning.

That makes sense, although I thought the Leipzig plant was able to build multiple cars (1, 3, etc.) on the same line without delay. I could be and, probably am, incorrect in my thinking, though.

[ORIGIN M.]

Dr. Seglar also said it was pure M, and guaranteed it, and it's not PURE M. But rather a Quasi M-Car. I'm still on the fence, and I have been number 1 on my dealers list for 18 months or more.

[Grey Dove]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Leipzig can only build so many cars. I read just last week about the new X1 selling so well that the US model will be delayed. BMW said they are producing about 100K X1 units per year. Leipzig also builds ALL e82(coupes), e88('verts) and e81 two door hatches - as well. The e87's are built in Regensburg.

SO... Currently Liepzig can only build about 177K units per year... so I wonder what the break down in car models is like. My best guess(estitmate) is:

100K = X1's
44K = e82 & e88's
33K = e82's

177K total units

So how are they gonna built the 1M on the same line? Maybe add a thrid shift?

Dackel

My guess: they'll just fit it in en waiting list a little bit longer?

[MWM]

At $50k it's a ridiculous steal. For those who have driven street cars on the track, track cars on the street, and vice versa, this is possibly the best street car for hard driving ever created. It is a little heavy, for sure. But the handling and torque should be there in spades. It's kind of like a de-tuned Porsche GT2 but with the engine in the right place (behind the front axle, instead of behind the rear axle). I've owned M3, M5, 996TT, 996GT3, and this 1M takes the best of each of those and bakes them into one package.

AWD is a joke, and so is an engine that needs to be run over 4k rpm to actually go. Rear-engine is quirky and traditional but less than ideal for handling (this is why Porsche refuses to put a big engine in a Cayman -- they know it would kill 911 sales).

RWD with a nice locking diff. Big brakes. Good suspension. Proper gearbox. Street-usable power. Small footprint and overall size. Sign me up.