German Car Forum

Audi.

And you just made the decision sooo much harder

But tbh I like them all equally, but Audi is my Favorite

Audi is the cool and quiet one -- Merc and BMW like to make a big noise about themselves all the time .....while Audi calmly goes about its business studiously working on its master plan .....wait for the A8

I'd say Audi are very loud at the moment, especially in their US marketing.

Well Audi is going to have to speak up if they wanna get more noticed in the US...Sorry, but I feel like Im only speaking the truth.

Audi, BMW and Mercedes are all amazing companies, they are all as good as each other, each great in different ways

atleast as far as recent press releases go (ooh, esp the SL65) the press shots are suberb. Im not saying BMW pics suck, but they can do better.

On the other hand BMW adverts are the best thing since sliced bread. BMW definitely dominate in their adverts, both print and film.

Mercedes takes some of the best press pics in the business, sadly I'm not as impressed apond entering the show room floor! BMW's the exact opposite imo, there press pics are nice, but nothing spectacular.. Go to the dealership & you'll be more then impressed!

Bingo! I was just going to say this. Audi needs to flaunt whatever their actual or perceived advantaged are. People say they're being agressive, yet I still see far more BMW and Mercedes ads.


M

It appears to me that efforts are being made ever since the SUPER BOWL..

Hmm, such differing points of veiw.

Audi advertising and sales is obviously a bit of a mystery ....it's kind of like Michael Jackson's kids -- we know they exist, we're just not precisely sure how they happened

LOL!

... and how do they look like, what they do, what's happening with them, and what will be the final outcome in few years when they "mature" ... (I hope they do since their father never did)

Yep, quite some similarities.

Lately - definately Mercedes.

Mecedes shows us more photos and material and that is what really counts in eyes of most of us. Maybe it is due to different design, nevertheless I have more defined view on new Mercedes cars which isn't the case with BMW.
BMW releases bland and boring photos, cars in the photos have regular paint, small wheels. Generally, BMW cars look much better in real life. I think if BMW gave us more and better photos of the new models (which wasn't the case with i.e. new 3-Series Coupe, new 7-Series) we wouldn't have so many pointless debates over design, we would know how the car exactly looks, IMO.

Great topic!
I totaly agree with that.. presentation is bacally the first impression and is a stepping stone to the selling process. I agree that BMW could do a better far better job with their press photos and videos.

You can be on a tight budget and still take great photos and videos.

Actually it is nothing to do with the marketing budgets of how we promote our models. BMW has always been conservative and restrained in it's identity now and again we have the exception to the rule being the 1er line aswell as Coupe and Cabrio in which they are designed to appeal to an entire different demographic.

entirely we do not go crazy but we do have a conservative approach in everything we have done, you might not agree with the press photos at first but these are the first substitute for the real thing and @ BMW we prefer you make your judgement from the real thing instead of a photograph.

Each BMW model has a specific marketing approach to it's segment , announcing the 7er it is a new interpretation of dynamics , style and refinement so we incorporate this into the marketing - subtle elegance a real statement BMW are making hence " The new Era" as this is an approach how BMW intend to progress the car further , China was a very exceptional market for the E65 and with the F01 we intend to penetrate other markets further , We pulled the wraps off the 7er in Moscow because we know how Russia adapts to the luxury car segment - Whenever something new appears they intend to be the first and we are aiming the 7er right at this , although Russia has been an exceptional market for E65 series aswell.

with the Z4 which begins filming next week , It is intentional to return this as a German built sports car and totally de-Americanize the image associated with the current model , With some great ideas on the strategy how to bring this core BMW sports car back into enthusiasts minds.

But what we have found is that people especially new customers appreciate the restained approach to our cars which focus more on the core specifics of BMW sheer driving pleasure . Our marketing conveys real luxury and an inviting approach to our cars and we have found that more and more younger people are attracted to our cars this way - A great car is the start but you have to showcase that car in a capture you heart kind of way, Show how it moves , show how dynamic it is , great locations , great visual aura and captivating music. BMW dont limit there marketing shoots in just one location. we go wherever there is great driving roads and that associates well with our cars, City panoramas as work well in showing off the architechtural simularities of our products. Thats why for the Z4 we will be using Australia's "great ocean road" as one driving location.


For the M3 the approach is more restrained than an AMG. Because our cars look more restrained and do not scream power (until you drive and turn the wheel). With Mercedes that element of surprise is already visible so there goes the element of surprise until the car actually begins to move.

Surprisingly being erstwhile and kinetic can also work magic between any demographic , look @ MINI as a brand it's marketing is pure pop-culture , image , music , fashion and of course the MINI itself , It is a very exciting prospect in not taking life seriously. MINI might be determined as the "yoof" brand of BMW? It is not just young people that buy MINI's. You only have to look at the sucess of the marketing of MINI to what it has achieved as you see how Smart has floundered.

As you regard the motor show events? Your pictures of the IAA in 2007.
BMW actually build from the ground up a purpose built hall to showcase automobiles and innovation. Where as Mercedes transform the festival hall into the stage for it's event. This is more to do with the home market than anything else, @ BMW @ Geneva the theme was "Efficient Dynamics" and therefore everycar which featured ED technology (Class-leading cars in their respective segment )were on show in Geneva - I know people hated that because they wanted an M3 Coupe instead of a 118d well sorry but ED Innovation was the key message from BMW @ Geneva 2008.

And as for the comment I probably hold the tri-pod or something...
Well yes I do , ocassionally I give feedback and suggest maybe we should do this ... And on no matter what shoot I am on I always help in adding a personal touch such as polishing the car because as this is my project I am looking for nothing but perfection, when the car goes on film for the first time.

^Everything you said that BMW does MB does aswell..
And obviously better..

About the IAA ive been there..2 times..and ive seen with my own eyes..
It doesent matter that they bring up the hall from scratch..its still isnt very good..
And this can be felt by most IAA visitors..
The Mercedes Hall is epic..

I don't see how in the world BMW could not want a person to form an impression by the initial press pictures. That is what they're for!!! So this about BMW rather having seeing the car in person is more of the same marketing nonsense we've been hearing for a while now about BMW. Hello...the press shots is what gets people interested and determines if they car is something they want to see more of. If the press shots aren't good then some are turned off. Everyone will see the car in person eventually anyway!


M

@ SCOTT27


With all due respect but the E90 / 91 LCI photos are a disaster: lighting is terrible, overexposure is present. As usually the shooting angles are strange. Etc.

Something isn't right when the photo team manages to portrait an utterly dynamically styled car as completely dull & boring.

It's not news - BMW press photos (the ones featured in press releases) suck. It's a fact. The problem has been there at least since E36 intro.




On the other hand the enhanced photos look brilliant, and so do the latest promo movies (eg. 1er coupe, X6, 7er - new era).

And so do the ads.

The only & huge problem are the initial press pics - usually they are unattractive, even repelling. Shame.

They say a picture says more than thousand words. Look at this:




Best regards, south

OK criticism taken on board , I will hire Testino for the Z4

ROFL

Oh Rob

I've been to the IAA at least 4 times, and I think the BMW stand is the best, on the middle of the square a place of their own...perfect. Fans like their brand's stand obviously the best. I can however say that the MB stand on IAA is indeed epic in proportions and spendings (2 million per day for two weeks I believe) BMW is much more simple and clean, I just like that better.

And South....I am not sure what you mean? You think that's an ugly pic? I think it is. Looks pretty terrible for a 3er coupe....

^yeah well you see
You have something good to say about the MB stand..even though your a BMW fan
And i dont have anything good to say about the BMW stand..
So if you count away the brand nutts like us..
I think ppl waay more enjoy the MB stand..

^ Lol!