Roadsters under pressure

[dalab]

AutoExpress: Ian Robertson talks i3, Z2, hydrogen, MINI

What sort of models can we expect to emerge on your UKL1 front-wheel-drive platform? Will it underpin a Z2 roadster?

There will be a huge variety of products, ranging from small cars to more versatile models. I can’t reveal anything about the Z2, but what I will say is that the roadster segment is under a lot of pressure at the moment.

Because it says the roadster segment is under great pressure?
Be that sales are not as good on the whole segment? boxter, z4, slk? because I have understood that the z4 is the leader, or one of the best selling

 

[Giannis]

I don't understand it. What does "roadsters under pressure" means? Are they going to see production or not?

Also, why out of all new BMWs, only the Z2 will be the FWD one?

 

[Centurion]

These baby roadster are not as hot as they were ten years ago. BMW's 2010 sales figure tells the tale. The 1er convertible outsells the Z4 and the hardtop folding roof is proving not to be a strong selling point as expected. What the Z4 lacks is an older brother that serves as a halo car and gets people excited about the Z4 which currently lacks any heritage or association with anything. It's just a roadster.

 

[Human]

SLK, Z4, TT, Boxter etc. NICHE products with HIGH price tags + the market for niche products is not growing whilst the offerings i.e. RR Evoque, MINI etc. are growing. Practical mobility will always be NO.1 and niche products will always be a second - no actually third car IMO

Thus the phrase:"Roadsters under pressure" makes absolutely perfect sense!

 

[klier]

Also, why out of all new BMWs, only the Z2 will be the FWD one?

Simple: Mazda has sold around ONE MILLION MX-5 (Miata) models throughout the years, and BMW wants this too, no matter it's heritage. Sales is more important for BMW these days.

Also, Human, MX-5 is not expensive. I think what we roughly pay for an SLK, Boxter or Z4 is around double the price of an MX-5

These baby roadster are not as hot as they were ten years ago. BMW's 2010 sales figure tells the tale. The 1er convertible outsells the Z4 and the hardtop folding roof is proving not to be a strong selling point as expected. What the Z4 lacks is an older brother that serves as a halo car and gets people excited about the Z4 which currently lacks any heritage or association with anything. It's just a roadster.

You have no idea what you're talking about, sorry. You're mixing all kinds of different facts to make some sort of opinion based on nothing.
Of course the 1er cabrio sells more than Z4. It's much cheaper base, and it's a 4 seater that's actual a bit practical in use unlike the Z4.
And there was not even an 1er cabrio 10 years ago, so of course the Z4 sold more cars.
An expanding product line means niche cars get competition from within. Completely logical.

Hardtop not a good selling point? Because you say so?? LOL!
Z4 lacks a big brother to act as a halo car so people will buy a Z4? DOUBLE LOL. Give me a break please!!!

 

[Zafiro]

Centurion, there're some wild assumptions you got there.
A small 2-seated unpractical roadster never going to be a big seller like a practical 4-seated car.

 

[Human]

SLK, Z4, TT, Boxter etc. NICHE products with HIGH price tags + the market for niche products is not growing whilst the offerings i.e. RR Evoque, MINI etc. are growing. Practical mobility will always be NO.1 and niche products will always be a second - no actually third car IMO

Thus the phrase:"Roadsters under pressure" makes absolutely perfect sense!

Also, Human, MX-5 is not expensive. I think what we roughly pay for an SLK, Boxter or Z4 is around double the price of an MX-5

True, edited

I was actually trying to get my point on NICHE products and their respective market share in-volume through. Is it sustainable to try new low volume sellers in current market conditions?

 

[Giannis]

Simple: Mazda has sold around ONE MILLION MX-5 (Miata) models throughout the years, and BMW wants this too, no matter it's heritage. Sales is more important for BMW these days.

Also, Human, MX-5 is not expensive. I think what we roughly pay for an SLK, Boxter or Z4 is around double the price of an MX-5

Mazda has hit a gold mine with the MX-5 and its recipy of success!

It's small, light, RWD, with descent engines. It doesn't cost much and offers tons of driving pleasure for its price. It's also economical to maintain!

BMW can't use the same recipy as it's a premium manufacturer. Even an 1-series based roadster will have to have a premium price tag, which comes naturaly with the BMW badge. You can't just have a 20.000€ small roadster, when the 1er cabrio starts from 45.000€.

 

[Centurion]

It's much cheaper base, and it's a 4 seater that's actual a bit practical in use unlike the Z4.

It's not about money because the sales figures for the Z4 are well under those for the 3er coupe and cabrio. Like I said, it's about image. Roadsters are aspirations cars and the Z4 doesn't have strong aspirations as a typical "dreamer's" cabrio. The marketing for the Z4 is rather weak. This is why some companies develop expensive halo cars, they might not be very profitable but they make up for that by supporting the sales of lower-priced imitation cars. For Lamborghini and Ferrari it's no different. The flagship cars are what makes people flock for whatever new cheaper car is released.