In contrary: the future is brighter then ever with those things. For MB, and for BMW.
Admit it: nobody would make noise about such cars if BMW had a supercar or any similar exotic halo car in its portfolio.
But without supercar in BMW portfolio some think such cars are making BMW a less sporty brand.
MB has cars like R-class, B-class, van-like A-class in its portfolio, but nobody is complaining about. Because there is SLS (or SLR in the past), and AMG galore incl Black Series.
Why not picking on MB since they have no luxury car beyond S/CL - and cars like A-class (definitely not a luxury car) can hurt MB as luxury brand?
Double standards?
Just like B-class this BMW Compactive Tourer is targeting specific customer pool - if you are not part of it, why complaining? If you like 3er, buy a 3er. If wanting Z4, buy Z4. Lusting for M5 - get M5. Etc. And those who want a family-friendly BMW will pick the Compactive Tourer.
Anyway its a European-centered model, so what's the point US members whining about it. Don't know ... BMW, MB & Audi has quite different image in Europe (especially in domestic German market), and are not per se perceived as luxury. There are many base models sold in Europe - with stark standard equipment.
MB, BMW, Audi etc are global companies, and has to cater different tastes & different customer needs. So, some markets get models other don't (eg. 5er/A&/E-class LWB in China; A1, A-class, B-class, A3 3dr, 1er hatch, even A5 Sportback not available in US etc).
Why dissing models that target different markets then your own?
I think if people honestly take the time to read and UNDERSTAND this post by Eni, ...
and by read and understand I mean to read it without bias and actually think about it for about 5 seconds... then this should answer all the questions and continued complaining about some of the new niche/target market-centric products that BMW have and will continue to develop.
Read...AND Understand.
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COMPACTIVE!!!! What the? Does that word even exist? Or is it BMW marketing at its finest (yet again...).
Compact + Active = Compactive. Nothing new from BMW, they renamed the SUV to SAV with the first X5 back in 1999. That's a good 12 years ago.. surely people have got over this by now. Surely.
Hey guys i hope i dont get attacked by some but let me be clear here there is no way i can associate BMW with a car like this really it shocks mr for BMW to make such a B class type car.
When I think of Mercedes-Benz, I think of big luxury cars, a status symbol...I think of the S-class as the focal point of the Mercedes-Benz brand. Yet they've got the B-class, and even a smaller A-class. I'm sure if you can swallow the A/B-class from MB, then I don't think there's any reason you should be gagging at this BMW model.
I can upsettingly expect these kinds of cars from Mercedes, but Sayyaaf said it best; BMW have a Sports legacy to uphold, and these cars will all but diminish that stronghold for good to the coming generations.
And again... MB have a luxury image and status to uphold...but they've got the A/B-class. If anything, this mini-MPV at least is sized right to be a sporty driver-car (kind of like the Mazda 2 is still a sporty and stylish car even though it's smaller than some people's TV's). MB haven't brought the A/B-class to the US market because yes they have their own image/legacy to uphold...same reason why BMW hasn't brought the 1er hatch..and the same reason why BMW won't bring this 1er Compactive thingamebob to the US. Open your mind to the world as a whole, not just US-centric thinking.... it'll do wonders.
Whatever cars BMW produce. Whatever names they give them. You can guarantee that the marketing department will insist it's a brand new niche that no other manufacturer has thought of filling before, and no consumer has realised they needed filling.
It's what they're paid to do...again, you'd think people would have got over that by now. What would you rather the BMW marketing guys/gals say? "Yeah, we saw how popular the Mercedes A/B-class is, so we decided to join in the party!". Considering that the A/B-class is really the only
premium option in this mini/city-MPV category...and considering the A/B-class isn't exactly sporty or visually aggressive, it's only natural that BMW marketing will most likely convey a message of sportiness and 'activeness'. It may not be a 3 series coupe, but relative to its competitor/s (the A/B-class), I definitely think it'll be more 'active' and sporty.
I wish that M-B and BMW would just utilize sub-brands (like Mini, Smart, etc.) to make these dumb cars, and keep the core brands as elite. The future is in question with stuff like this.
I agree to a certain extent. But again, the A/B-class for Mercedes hasn't hurt MB's brand image/identity in Europe..so I don't expect this thing to hurt BMW in Europe either. The thing is, these smaller, more affordable 'dumb cars' aren't simply created to fill niche gaps or inflate sales numbers, they also serve the purpose of attractive customers to the brand at an earlier stage. It's an aspirational thing.. climbing the ladder of vehicles as your lifestyle needs/wants change.
Oh fear not, I perfectly understand the rationale, the business case for such products. I'm not stupid.
No one's saying you're stupid. I'm simply saying that at times people need to
think about it.
Agreed that you don't have to like the product. I certainly don't like the idea, and I wouldn't consider this sort of vehicle when you have the regular 1er and X1 to choose from....but then again, I bet Mercedes wasn't thinking of someone like me or you when they green-lighted the A/B-class. If you don't like it.. no worries, you have every right to say that, but at least you still understand the rationale behind such a product.
i3 boxy little car (3dr, 4 seats) is another story - it's electric, it's made of carbon, it's RWD.
