1M Production Will Be "Unlimited But Hard To Get"

[aaron529]

I think its a marketing scheme. They want you to think that it is going to be limited and that you are purchasing a rare piece of automobile history. Smart on their part.

[JimBilly]

BMW's marketing strategy is smart if people don't become disillusioned with BMW because of the games they are playing. But I for one am already becoming disillusioned .

The slow unveiling did not bother me. It increased my anticipation. When I put my deposit down last year my dealer told me I would definately get one because they had lass than 10 deposits and are a high volume M dealer. Now my dealer tells me I will probably, but not definately get one and many of those who paid deposits probably will not. It is time for BMW to bite the bullet and inform those with deposits whether they will get one or not.

I've been holding off on a new car purchase for months because I assumed I would get one. If I do not, I will never buy a BMW again. I do not blame my local dealer; they were in the dark as I was.

[Augenbrauezug]

Originally Posted by JimBilly

BMW's marketing strategy is smart if people don't become disillusioned with BMW because of the games they are playing. But I for one am already becoming disillusioned .

The slow unveiling did not bother me. It increased my anticipation. When I put my deposit down last year my dealer told me I would definately get one because they had lass than 10 deposits and are a high volume M dealer. Now my dealer tells me I will probably, but not definately get one and many of those who paid deposits probably will not. It is time for BMW to bite the bullet and inform those with deposits whether they will get one or not.

I've been holding off on a new car purchase for months because I assumed I would get one. If I do not, I will never buy a BMW again. I do not blame my local dealer; they were in the dark as I was.

I don't think BMW knows for sure who will and who won't. It's produced in Leipzig along side x1 and other e82 vehicles. There is a production limit that they can meet, but even that can change due to demand of the car. They likely won't slow production of the x1 though. This is where the ROUGHLY 60 cars per month comes from.

I agree it's frustrating waiting when you've got a deposit down, and waiting to know if you'll even get the car is even worse. BMW is running a business first and foremost though, and they are out to sell as many of these things as they can. Sure they'll piss some people off in doing so, but not so many that it won't be made up by the sales of the car.

The hype is what got me to not even place a deposit, (I know, I know, it's refundable) but it certainly wouldn't keep me from buying BMW in the future. That's a little ridiculous.

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by ferrari4evr1

What you say might be true but there is a flip side to this coin. BMW did create this little rocket ship and is doing a ton of marketing on this car to excite new buyers. But, the thing you also have to consider is that this car comes with no sunroof (which is a bummer for most people), only comes in a six speed (which i heard the average BMW customer prefers automatic), only comes in 3 colors (one of which (VO) -you either love it or hate it), is a performance version of the 1 series (which most might consider a mid sized sedan before they would consider this - dare i say a Mercedes?), only comes with one interior color and is $50k (which some potential buyers would consider something more feasible for that kind of coin)... There are a lot of variables here so, anything is possible if you look at it from both perspectives. Even 1M's sitting on the lots 6 months down the road or pre-owned (a year from now?) for $5-8K off sticker?? They say, "patience is a virtue..."
We'll see if that holds true

Very good points. They are marketing the hell out of it but at the same time they are purposefully limiting the appeal to a wider market. Strange strategy but I see the point, more important to just snag the big profits they can from a massive resuse build strategy (very little engineering) and help their image as only building big boaty Ms and M SUVs.

[Ayrton91]

Again BMW is leveraging the Internet to their advantage by getting us to get this car at MSRP. How can we do the same to eliminate the information asimmetry? There has to be a way for us to team up and try to figure out true demand for this car. The deposit tread is a start but based on that one initial demand would be met in a couple of months. We have read the order bank is alreafy full, but what does that mean? C'mon if Egyptians could overthrow a 30 year regime leveraging social networking we can outsmart BMW's marketing guys...

[Yogijet]

Originally Posted by Augenbrauezug

Last week I would of wholeheartedly agreed, now I'm not so sure. I doubt there will be very many on dealers lots, and if I want to find a deal like they were doing on Mcoupes after the hype died down I'd probably have to go out of state, but I'm willing to take the chance.

Besides I know these things will be hitting the used market before they are even done delivering the last of the new ones. I don't mind one that's got a few thousand on it. Saves me the stress of breaking in a car that I want to flog the moment I get it.

Unlike you guys in the US, I don't have a choice but to wait for a used one with all the stuff I want, minus the stuff I don't so I'm keeping very quiet in the new-1M-availability melee. We don't have a dearership here and you can't ship new from the US market. Fingers crossed that everybody who really wants one will get it eventually whether new or in my case, lightly used.

[DiavelM3]

Originally Posted by Ayrton91

Again BMW is leveraging the Internet to their advantage by getting us to get this car at MSRP. How can we do the same to eliminate the information asimmetry? There has to be a way for us to team up and try to figure out true demand for this car. The deposit tread is a start but based on that one initial demand would be met in a couple of months. We have read the order bank is alreafy full, but what does that mean? C'mon if Egyptians could overthrow a 30 year regime leveraging social networking we can outsmart BMW's marketing guys...

I agree with you. As I mentioned in previous posts, I am waiting for the hype to die down. Probably summer or fall before engaging in one of these beauties..... As for now, One major dealership here in Colorado only has 2 deposits. One other major dealership doesn't have ANY information on the 1M whatsoever nor are they taking deposits and another dealership (not so big) didn't know anything about the new 1M.... I also believe this is a major marketing ploy, to get buyers to buy one now at msrp (to get as much money as they can before year end and before they replace the N54 engine with 2012 spec?) with the fear factor of, "not limited but hard to get" out on the internet and word of mouth...
Let it go BMW. Just build them and "they" will come...

[Red135]

Originally Posted by Ayrton91

Again BMW is leveraging the Internet to their advantage by getting us to get this car at MSRP.

At this point, good luck with even doing that. The dealership that I go to was charging a straightforward MSRP. Then BMW released the allocation numbers. Now it is $2500 over MSRP.

[DiavelM3]

Originally Posted by Red135

At this point, good luck with even doing that. The dealership that I go to was charging a straightforward MSRP. Then BMW released the allocation numbers. Now it is $2500 over MSRP.

I don't think ALL dealerships are on the same page here. I think that is evident in all these threads on this forum, as well as contacting my local dealerships about this car..

[Red135]

Originally Posted by ferrari4evr1

I don't think ALL dealerships are on the same page here.

That seems to be the only sure thing. Someone posted that a dealership wasn't going to allow preorders and make people buy the car first-come-first-served off the lot.

As much as I love the idea of this car, the more I becoming upset with BMW's handling and marketing of it.

[as7920]

Just a few days after confirming my order with my dealer for MSRP, UK broker sites are offering the 1M as low as £36.5k, nearly 10% off MSRP.

Can't be that limited.

[sq86]

Originally Posted by Augenbrauezug

They likely won't slow production of the x1 though. This is where the ROUGHLY 60 cars per month comes from.

The X1 has been far more popular than expected in Europe and they have actually pushed back the release date for the X1 in the US till later this fall/winter. I believe this is because they will be unable to fulfill the requirements of meeting the X1 demands for Europe and building the 1M at the same time. Once they start to meet all of the orders for the X1 in Europe they can then open production a bit more, however, they will most likely start building X1's for the US by then therefore never opening up enough production availability for the 1M. This is just a theory of mine that is based on the facts at hand.

[Drillslinger]

See, and some people thought that my hate for the X1 was irrational

[Grey Dove]

Originally Posted by sq86

The X1 has been far more popular than expected in Europe and they have actually pushed back the release date for the X1 in the US till later this fall/winter. I believe this is because they will be unable to fulfill the requirements of meeting the X1 demands for Europe and building the 1M at the same time. Once they start to meet all of the orders for the X1 in Europe they can then open production a bit more, however, they will most likely start building X1's for the US by then therefore never opening up enough production availability for the 1M. This is just a theory of mine that is based on the facts at hand.

+1 plus the fact that the 1 coupe as never been a great volume seller in EU compaired to the hatchback. The 1M on the other hand is a big hit allready. That 's a fact!

[GeniuneSorny]

I really don't think that makes sense... The 1M has a higher price (and I'd have to assume higher profit margin) than any X1 or regular 1er. If they have to sacrifice production of any model they could be selling, I wouldn't think they'd pick the 1M.

Besides that, every dealer in my area has multiple 128s and 135s sitting on the lots right now... clearly they've got excess supply of those. There's some wiggle room in Liepzig, and I think we'll see they find a way to make as many 1Ms as they can sell.

[superchargedman]

Originally Posted by gs/e60/1m?

+1 plus the fact that the 1 coupe as never been a great volume seller in EU compaired to the hatchback. The 1M on the other hand is a big hit allready. That 's a fact!

I think conclusions about the 1M's popularity still have to be reserved. The forum community is a small one. Hell, the cobalt ss turbo has a huge online community, but you don't see them selling off the shelves. So, I wouldn't say that the 1M being a hit is a fact at this point, despite the current order list.

[Augenbrauezug]

Originally Posted by sq86

The X1 has been far more popular than expected in Europe and they have actually pushed back the release date for the X1 in the US till later this fall/winter. I believe this is because they will be unable to fulfill the requirements of meeting the X1 demands for Europe and building the 1M at the same time. Once they start to meet all of the orders for the X1 in Europe they can then open production a bit more, however, they will most likely start building X1's for the US by then therefore never opening up enough production availability for the 1M. This is just a theory of mine that is based on the facts at hand.

Agreed, this is what I meant. I see 1er coupe and cab production being slowed, but not x1 production. x1 will be far more of a money make for them than the m1. Even then I don't think they will slow production of the 1er very much to allow for the m1.

All just speculation though.

[Drillslinger]

Hmmm, think they'd let me order a 135 and then once production is scheduled, change the order to a 1M? (j/k, here, I'll do it for you.... )

[Grey Dove]

Originally Posted by superchargedman

I think conclusions about the 1M's popularity still have to be reserved. The forum community is a small one. Hell, the cobalt ss turbo has a huge online community, but you don't see them selling off the shelves. So, I wouldn't say that the 1M being a hit is a fact at this point, despite the current order list.

Yes ok. I'll refrase: compaired to the 1 coupe the 1M is already a big hit in
EU. It all as to do with less $$$$$$ for a M car (taxes you know!)

OH sorry but cobalt ss turbo is a car i dont know, so is or was it for sale anywhere else than NA? I'm maining the 1M can bought almost everywhere.

One thing i dont understand (ammongst many others prop.) is how do they allocate? Is it by population numbers? For ex. US 307 MLJN- +600 cars; Germany 86MLJN-+600 CARS; UK 65MLJN-+250 cars; Australia and Canada 32MLJN-+100 cars each? Ore are they using other ref. ?

[grimlock]

The guy who said "unlimited but hard to get" didn't read the marketing manual - you're only supposed to say the 'hard to get part', and keep the 'unlimited' to yourself

how badly do you want to buy something that is 'unlimited'?

[DiavelM3]

Originally Posted by grimlock

The guy who said "unlimited but hard to get" didn't read the marketing manual - you're only supposed to say the 'hard to get part', and keep the 'unlimited' to yourself

how badly do you want to buy something that is 'unlimited'?

I agree. Almost sounds like a contradiction in wording yes? Unlimited, but hard to get?
If it was unlimited, then it wouldnt be that hard to get. Unless they plan on making a small production (limited), in which case it would be hard to get?

[skyphab]

Originally Posted by ferrari4evr1

I agree. Almost sounds like a contradiction in wording yes? Unlimited, but hard to get?
If it was unlimited, then it wouldnt be that hard to get. Unless they plan on making a small production (limited), in which case it would be hard to get?

You have to understand what the word limited means in that context:
When they say the car is limited that means there exists a number X of cars (2'000 e.g.) and not one more. That's a quite strong commitment.

What they're doing is a more indirect limitation using the production capacities. So yes, it's not limited but it is hard to get. There's nothing wrong with that statement.