Press Release New BMW sub-brand: BMW i

[Sunny]

Meaning Audi and Mercedes?


M

Yup.

I doubt Mercedes will follow suit. They have Smart. They've just done an atrocious job so far with it. They need to be more visionary like what BMW is trying to do with BMWi.

Yea, good point, forgot about Smart, but then again I doubt they will sell an electric SLS or anything higher than a city car under Smart. Or maybe they will.

 

[K-A]

So these won't technically be BMW's but they'll be "BMWi"'s?

Very smart to make a new name for the "lesser" cars, as this can keep the BMW name as prestigious (they're already cluttering up the brand IMO). However, I think BMWi isn't the best name, and it further proves to me that they are obsessed with Apple (although I understand that BMW has used "i" at the end of their model designations for some time now).

I'd love to see Mercedes do this, and move anything lower than the C-Class to it, and some other idea's and maybe even existing models in the brand. However, giving it an all new name would be ideal (i.e, not utilizing the actual "Mercedes" name).

 

[Sunny]

^ I doubt it is a "lesser" brand, considering how i8 will probably be even more expensive than even a 760. It is just an alternative line for electric cars like how X is for SUVs or Z is for roadsters. Doesn't mean lower or higher.

 

[K-A]

Ah, I see. I assumed it was something different, i.e, the actual brand would be listed separately from BMW in technicality.

 

[Mr Robert]

I'd like a BMWii with an M3 emulator

 

[SCOTT27]

Don't forget.... later today , we unveil the MINI ********* Concept City Car...

(Yes it is kind of pretentious, but be rest assured if we take it to production... It will receive a new name like we have done for the Coupe and the Paceman.)

 

[coolraoul]

I don't think it's a good idea to unite all the "alternative" powertrains under a new name.

Customers will get the iression that standards BMW are old-tech polluting things while only BMWi are quite advanced powertrain-wise.

Better to make the whole brand green than to make a new brand green and letting the other brand "un-green".

I don't really get the logic.

I much prefer Mercedes' solution to let green tech infuse the whole brand, while smart is for smaller, star-unworthy verhicles (I hope they'll develop that brand a bit more and a bit better though).

 

[Dave1984]

Don't forget.... later today , we unveil the MINI ********* Concept City Car... It will receive a new name like we have done for the Coupe and the Paceman.

MINI Rocketman ?

 

[SCOTT27]

MINI Rocketman

Yes...
Advancing the use of Carbon Fibre in the premium city car segment.

A MINI with not only Style and sophistication but more advanced in terms of ideas...
It goes back to the original thinking...
It is overly cute , and although it is a concept , I think that public perception will make it become a reality.

 

[jack]

Don't forget.... later today

can you give us a countdown ?

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Lol...Ok so this sub-brand is called "BMW" i?

Why not give it a different name? Why included "BMW" in it? Why even make a whole new brand with the same name and just add an "i"?

Or is it that they want to keep the same grill, but supposedly not cheapen the name of BMW? Anyone who isn't a car enthusiast is going to see it as the same company.

 

[jack]

Lol...Ok so this sub-brand is called "BMW" i?

Why not give it a different name? Why included "BMW" in it? Why even make a whole new brand with the same name and just add an "i"?

Or is it that they want to keep the same grill, but supposedly not cheapen the name of BMW? Anyone who isn't a car enthusiast is going to see it as the same company.

every heard about BMW M ?

 

[HighestOfHigh]

every heard about BMW M ?

What about it?

I'm talking about them creating a Sub-brand.

 

[SCOTT27]

The Thinking is as a sub-brand BMW M stands for Performance and Motosport. BMWi Stands for Innovation and inspiration.
Two brands under BMW who very different intentions from the core brand.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

^Ok makes sense now. I was thinking new brand like Mini and Rolls are to BMW.

Yea I wonder how long before other two follow suit.

In about never.

 

[klier]

So are we going to see the Rocketman today?? Day is not far from being over now here in Europe...

 

[allenwalker]

MINI Rocketman

Yes...
Advancing the use of Carbon Fibre in the premium city car segment.

A MINI with not only Style and sophistication but more advanced in terms of ideas...
It goes back to the original thinking...
It is overly cute , and although it is a concept , I think that public perception will make it become a reality.

Scott, why still "IF" ? i thought a "mini" MINI has been approved by the board ? A spiritual successor to the original (read : when MINI still means small) Mini ?

 

[coolraoul]

The Thinking is as a sub-brand BMW M stands for Performance and Motosport. BMWi Stands for Innovation and inspiration.
Two brands under BMW who very different intentions from the core brand.

OK.

BMW M = performance.
BMW i = innovation.

And BMW is what? for morons who want slow and dirty cars?

I really don't think it's a good idea to separate all what is interesting about BMW in two sub-brands, leaving nothing for the core brand itself.

 

[dalab]

Mini concept carbon fibre, this is new and very good news, but when??? tuesday you say

 

[SCOTT27]

BMW M = performance.
BMW i = innovation.

And BMW is what? for morons who want slow and dirty cars?

I really don't think it's a good idea to separate all what is interesting about BMW in two sub-brands, leaving nothing for the core brand itself.

What comes from BMW though which is more than capable of making the brand stand out? BMW M and BMWi are not to enhance the image of the BMW brand they are there to compliment them.

When we think of the best cars in the market we think automatically 3er , 5er , 7er , X1 , X5 ,M3 and so on... cars that do not need additional image enhancement. Because they are more capable of standing by themselves.

M cars are always about offering high performance but by engineering it differently from the core model in which it is based on.
BMWi will do the same with sustainbility but by offering cutting edge technology and design but still maintaining that image and driving experience of a BMW.

In order for Sustainability choices to work in the real world you need to focus on something different for it to appeal. Design is one such idea in a way this is taking a step to that time when you would dream about what type of cars you would be driving in the future when you were young?

You knew it would be electric? but did you ever think someone would actually bring the future closer....

For some that dream is going to be very much a reality...