X1 Official BMW X1 Thread

[klier]

The car is looking better and better Next X3 is going to be awesome; proportions are maybe a bit better on X3...

 

[bmer]

Young @ hearth & spirit.

Which means 50-year-old surfers?

 

[Zafiro]

Which means 50-year-old surfers?

My 60 year old father. He keeps on talking that he wants a X1 *grrrr*

 

[Centurion]

Ok........who are these "younger" customers demographic wise???

I don't think it will be that age specific and will simply appeal to the same customer base who buy the Toyota RAV4, Nissan Qashqai and Dodge Caliber -- Basically, anyone looking for a entry level SUV for 20-30k. It's not more complicated than that as the car doesn't exactly do anything that not already being done.

 

[klier]

My 60 year old father. He keeps on talking that he wants a X1 *grrrr*

lol, don't you think that's cool? A nice 2.8i for your father sounds really good!

 

[Deutsch]

I don't think it will be that age specific and will simply appeal to the same customer base who buy the Toyota RAV4, Nissan Qashqai and Dodge Caliber -- Basically, anyone looking for a entry level SUV for 20-30k. It's not more complicated than that as the car doesn't exactly do anything that not already being done.

If you look at product development planning for any car there is almost always a target demographic, and its age specific.

 

[Centurion]

If you look at product development planning for any car there is almost always a target demographic, and its age specific.

True. But from a consumer perspective, cars are predominantly judged on a money and everything else is pretty much secondary especially with SUV, which are bought by a vast array of customers ranging from young women, families, old people on a tight budget and even those who will never even take an SUV off road. The G-Class is a great examples as I've seen a hundreds of different types of individuals driving it, and the same applies to pretty much more premium SUV as they are desired by many.

Sure design, marketing channels and advertising materials influence who the car appeals to but in the end, a car is a car, and thus has quite a universal appeal.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

If you look at product development planning for any car there is almost always a target demographic, and its age specific.

Of course, every market research study and eventual marketing strategy will include a target demographic including the variable of age...but it's fairly obvious that BMW (along with other car companies and other companies regardless of what industry) are focusing their market research studies on psychographic variables, of which 'lifestyle' is a key factor to base your marketing campaign around.

Also, you have to remember, when it comes to targeting a specific lifestyle demo/psychographic, you aren't just appealing to those who actually live that lifestyle, you also go after those who aspire to live that lifestyle....and this is where the popularity of the X1 is at its most strongest (IMO).... I don't live that 'active lifestle', but dayemmmm I want an X1...and I'm sure many others here can relate to that judging by the very favorable responses so far.

Luw's viewpoint that in the end (and especially during current economic times), many people will base their decision on the pricing of the X1, and compare it to cars such as the RAV4, etc. is also a very valid one.. and again, by commuting that 'lifestyle' image for the X1, that could well be the deciding factor which clinches the sale for the X1 over its competitors if the other more quantitative factors (such as pricing, warranty, options, fuel economy, and so on) are fairly even.

 

[Deutsch]

Well I'm certainly not here to convince anyone of anything they don't already know/believe. However the X1 isn't a car you'll find a ton of 50+ somethings driving as most of the "baby boomer" generation has the money to spend on a larger more expensive vehicle. So they would be outside of the target age group for the X1. Move down to forty-somethings and the picture starts to make a little more sense. Stretch it to individuals in their thirties and you have a much more realistic picture of who will be driving this car, because in that space in time many are starting families and have earned the income to accommodate an entry level luxury car. No doubt aspiring "O.C." teens and young adults will find their way (as they always do) into the X1 by way of their parents checkbook.

So sure, while there are people of varying ages and lifestyles that buy one car or another there is always a predominant group that stands out in sales statistics and reports.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

My 60 year old father. He keeps on talking that he wants a X1 *grrrr*

What's wrong with him wanting the X1?

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Would it also be a coincidence that those who are 50+ do not predominantly lead an active lifestyle?

Of course age is a key factor within any marketing campaign, but in my opinion, when it comes to the X1 'lifestyle' is a more critical variable than age because the lifestyle that BMW are targeting with the X1 already sorts out which age demographics would consider the X1 as a viable option.

On the other hand, looking at the new 5er GT, although that it also very lifestyle orientated in terms of its image, a target age-bracket is more important than with the X1.

 

[Deutsch]

Would it also be a coincidence that those who are 50+ do not predominantly lead an active lifestyle?

Of course age is a key factor within any marketing campaign, but in my opinion, when it comes to the X1 'lifestyle' is a more critical variable than age because the lifestyle that BMW are targeting with the X1 already sorts out which age demographics would consider the X1 as a viable option.

On the other hand, looking at the new 5er GT, although that it also very lifestyle orientated in terms of its image, a target age-bracket is more important than with the X1.

Look if you have something to prove in your intellect I'm not your audience. I was merely creating what in my mind would be the target age demographic for the X1 since we've been beat over the head with the concept of youth as it is used to define the marketing strategy for this car. From official photo's showing what appear to be mid to late twenty-somethings to the wordage used here its obvious the dominant target customer for this car is relatively young. Its not terribly important but interesting none the less. To me at least.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Fair enough..and my apologies if I came across as being somewhat confrontational or argumentative in my posts.

I was simply trying to respectfully disagree with your viewpoint about demographic segmentation based on age-groups, but I'm just a tad confused because Centurion/Luw' challenged your viewpoint, but you had no problem with him.

Again, my apologies....and I have no reason to prove my intellect, my aim is to try and stimulate good conversation/debate.

 

[Zafiro]

What's wrong with him wanting the X1?

Because Im not a fan of SUV, simple as that.

 

[klier]

But X1 is much more crossover than SUV.

Hope that helps

 

[EnI]

And in sDrive variant ... it's practically a wagon. Slightly taller than average.

 

[Deutsch]

Fair enough..and my apologies if I came across as being somewhat confrontational or argumentative in my posts.

I was simply trying to respectfully disagree with your viewpoint about demographic segmentation based on age-groups, but I'm just a tad confused because Centurion/Luw' challenged your viewpoint, but you had no problem with him.

Again, my apologies....and I have no reason to prove my intellect, my aim is to try and stimulate good conversation/debate.

I think I was quite diplomatic in my reply to what you said. We've seen more undiplomatic responses here and I think what I said didn't come anywhere near that. To create stimulating conversation and debate is one thing, but to nit pick what someone else is saying with endless trite comments seems rather intentional. As for Cent/Luw...I'd tell him the same thing I've told you. No different.

I will say this though in a general application and that is when people continually take a position of arrogance by way of making rash comments in what would make them to appear more knowledgeable it comes to a point where it begins to fall on def ears and any reply to such banter becomes a fleeting exercise of precious thought and energy. In other words its pointless.

 

[Zafiro]

Offical prices for UK:

BMW UK | BMW X1 | Prices and Specification

 

[Mr Robert]

Which means 50-year-old surfers?

Kelly Slater?

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Because Im not a fan of SUV, simple as that.

Oh no! When did this happen? Have you ever driven an SUV?

Trust me it's a wonderful experience. I use mine to chase and scare 3 series all day (I actually do). They are so much fun. Especially in traffic you can see what to expect. It is even nice when braking because you can see over the car in front of you just in case of Emergencies.

Honestly a large sedan is my vehicle of choice...If it doesn't weight atleast 4500lbs I don't even care to look at it. On the other hand SUVs really are nice, especially in snow.

I know you like for your cars to be 2lbs and under, but you should check out that X1. I'm sure it is not nearly as big as a traditional SUV.