BMW hands out flyers to employees telling them to buy its cars

[PanterroR]

BMW may be topping the luxury sales charts here in the U.S. but over in Germany things aren’t so peachy and the automaker is resorting to some drastic actions to help boost its sales. At a number of its German factory parking lots, the automaker has attached more than 7,000 cards requesting employees who don’t already own a BMW to consider buying one.

As odd as it sounds, the information was confirmed to Bloomberg by BMW spokesman Alexander Bilgeri. The effort is the first of its kind in a three-decade marketing program to employees and is designed to raise awareness among the factory workers that they too are an important part of the company. Bilgeri was quick to point out that no one would be losing their job because they didn’t drive a BMW.

“What’s wrong here? You like working with us. You appreciate your job and income. But you drive a vehicle from a competitor,” read the cards signed by Ian Robertson, the company’s sales chief, Harald Krueger, BMW’s head of personnel, and Manfred Schoch, its top union representative.

Government incentives and vehicle scrapping schemes in Germany haven’t helped luxury automakers like BMW and Mercedes Benz as they have pushed towards cheaper models made by other brands. Sales for the BMW Group, which includes BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce, are down 21% for the first five months of the year, totalling roughly 488,000 vehicles.


Source: BMW hands out flyers to employees telling them to buy its cars - [BMW sales] - MotorAuthority - Car news, reviews, spy shots


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OMFG... What a desperate and pathetic move...

 

[coolraoul]

I find it normal, for a BMW employee, to drive a BMW if he can.

There are Bimmers at all prices, so unless you need a huge cargo space, have back problems or have a family with 7 childrens, I see no valuable reason for a BMW employee not to drive a BMW.

That said, BMW using such methods is rather funny...

 

[VroomVroom]

Now thats desperate!

 

[SCOTT27]

Mercedes-Benz and VAG do the exact same thing. Especially VAG.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Now thats desperate!

Yea, that really doesn't look good. Then again the economy will do that to you.

 

[coolraoul]

I think there were problems at Peugeot, because some employees drove non-Peugeot cars (like Renault) and were getting troubles because of that...
It's mandatory to have a Peugeot from what I know, to work at Peugeot (even a Citroën is not well-received). Same for Renault AFAIK.

 

[Human]

Whilst other welknown manufatures has done it before I don't think it's desparate at all. If you consider the compony as well as the brand you work for and build to be the best and putting in your best efforts to build it up to standards....it builds loyalty so...WHY NOT???

If I were to build a BMW I would be proud driving one..LOGIC!

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Well its one thing to ask an employee to drive their cars, but telling them is one thing. Not to mention taking it to disciplinary actions such as firing a worker or harassing them. I can understand the idea of picking up sales from employees, but the car may not fit into their budget. Even though they may be paid well, they still have other bills and family expenses. For example, let say a guy can afford a car around early 30k and let’s say he has the option to buy an SUV that fits 7 members of his family. If the company tells him that he has to buy a BMW and for his price range he can only afford a 3 series that puts him in a major predicament.

The only time it should be absolutely mandatory is if you are the current CEO. It would be ridiculous to see a BMW CEO, CFO etc. driving a Mercedes-Benz. The thought of it is absolutely funny. It would send the wrong signal to buyers and stockholders. Of course I am sure that BMW’s CEO is driving a fully loaded 7 series right now (Can a BMW fan please confirm?). I do wonder what type of incentives they give for buying a BMW for their workers. And God forbid you miss a payment, I guess you’ll just “miss” your paycheck lol.

I guess it will be interesting to see the response from their employees on this matter. I’m sure a good percentage of them might already own a BMW.

 

[LaArtist]

Sad

 

[coolraoul]

Well its one thing to ask an employee to drive their cars, but telling them is one thing. Not to mention taking it to disciplinary actions such as firing a worker or harassing them. I can understand the idea of picking up sales from employees, but the car may not fit into their budget. Even though they may be paid well, they still have other bills and family expenses. For example, let say a guy can afford a car around early 30k and let’s say he has the option to buy an SUV that fits 7 members of his family. If the company tells him that he has to buy a BMW and for his price range he can only afford a 3 series that puts him in a major predicament.

The only time it should be absolutely mandatory is if you are the current CEO. It would be ridiculous to see a BMW CEO, CFO etc. driving a Mercedes-Benz. The thought of it is absolutely funny. It would send the wrong signal to buyers and stockholders. Of course I am sure that BMW’s CEO is driving a fully loaded 7 series right now (Can a BMW fan please confirm?). I do wonder what type of incentives they give for buying a BMW for their workers. And God forbid you miss a payment, I guess you’ll just “miss” your paycheck lol.

I guess it will be interesting to see the response from their employees on this matter. I’m sure a good percentage of them might already own a BMW.

Carlos Ghosn (when he was only Nissan CEO) was caught driving a 911 just after the launch of the GTR... Embarassing...

And if you can't afford a new BMW (or whatever brand you work for), buy a used one.

BMW said they didn't give this little paper to people driving cars they did not offer a competition to (vans/7-seaters for instance)

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Carlos Ghosn (when he was only Nissan CEO) was caught driving a 911 just after the launch of the GTR... Embarassing...

Yea, that does look bad unless he was testing it against the GT-R, which he probably wasn't. Shame on him, they should cut his pay Lol.

And if you can't afford a new BMW (or whatever brand you work for), buy a used one.

Then again, why should I have to buy a used BMW, when I can get a new Ford? Expecially since the X5 might not be as roomy. What if the guy has chubby kids and needs extra room. All must be considered.

 

[coolraoul]

Then again, why should I have to buy a used BMW, when I can get a new Ford? Expecially since the X5 might not be as roomy. What if the guy has chubby kids and needs extra room. All must be considered.

Yeah, if the car you have has no competition from BMW, then you didn't get the flyer. So if you drove a Galaxy, no prob for you. If you drove a Mondeo however...Bad for you! if you drove a C-Class... FIRED!

 

[MikeJ]

If I were one of the workers to receive those flyers, I'd probably buy a rusty old BMW 316 to commute in.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

if you drove a C-Class... FIRED!

LMAO...Probably so! I'm sure they are really focused on Benz and maybe audi drivers. I'm guessing most of them will get the car for INVOICE so it's probably not too bad.

I think if I was an employee I would go for the 7 series or X6. I wonder if they would allow employees to weight for the 5 and 5GT, or if they have to do it right now.

If I were one of the workers to receive those flyers, I'd probably buy a rusty old BMW 316 to commute in.

Exactly...and save some money. Know them, then they would tell you to trade it in for a new one.

 

[coolraoul]

If I were one of the workers to receive those flyers, I'd probably buy a rusty old BMW 316 to commute in.

I'd buy a super-ugly riced-out e36 with a super-noisy exhaust. This way, everybody could see and hear me coming/going in a Bimmer, while the boss would regreat the day where they send me the flyer...

 

[E38_E30]

How should one employee buy/finance a BMW being put on reduced working hours due to the declining demand?

 

[HighestOfHigh]

How should one employee buy/finance a BMW being put on reduced working hours due to the declining demand?

Oh wow...Didn't know they did that. Then they really should expect someone to buy a new BMW.

 

[EnI]

BMW employees can get huge discounts on new BMW cars. And some other privileges not accessible to other people.

Suggesting employees to drive a BMW is not a move to increase sales but merely a marketing move - to encourage employees to show loyalty to the company.

Nothing mandatory. Just a suggestion.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Nothing mandatory. Just a suggestion.

That sounds much better. But if it's not about money, then they should not even ask. I highly doubt MB has spys taking pictures of BMW's lower level employees driving other the cars.

That suggestion should have only been to CEO, CFO, board members and top associates at BMW headquarters.

And unless employees are getting 30%-50% off Invoice price, it's still not a good deal.

 

[Foxfire]

Well middle and top level management should really not even consider working in company they wouldn't buy products from.
If I got to a BMW/MB/Audi dealer and the owner was driving a car from the competitor, I'd never buy a car from him. Same as if you see your neighbor who you know works for a certain car company, yet drives a car from the company's competitor. You'd think to yourself - if they can't get their employees to believe in their products, why would you?