80 percent of BMW 1-series owners think it's FWD
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Joined: Dec 2005
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80 percent of BMW 1-series owners think it's FWD
http://wot.motortrend.com/6656763/au...ive/index.html
Seriously, how dumb can these people be? They know nothing of the car outside of the gas and brake (and maybe clutch) pedals and the steering wheel.
The vast majority of BMW 1 Series owners think their car is front-drive. This startling and depressing stat came straight from CEO Norbert Reithofer during a conference call with analysts last week, Automotive News reports.
When asked whether the announced introduction of front-drive BMW models would confuse customers of a rear-drive-only brand, Reithofer said that 80 percent of 1 Series owners already thought their cars were front-drive. He added that the stat was "quite a surprise" to BMW, but did not express concern. Instead, the lack of consumer interest means implementing front-drive vehicles could be easier for the brand.
Last week, we reported that BMW will introduce front-drive vehicles into its lineup in 2014. With a platform from the third-generation Mini, the vehicles would range from minicars to compacts, according to BMW development head Klaus Draeger.
When asked whether the announced introduction of front-drive BMW models would confuse customers of a rear-drive-only brand, Reithofer said that 80 percent of 1 Series owners already thought their cars were front-drive. He added that the stat was "quite a surprise" to BMW, but did not express concern. Instead, the lack of consumer interest means implementing front-drive vehicles could be easier for the brand.
Last week, we reported that BMW will introduce front-drive vehicles into its lineup in 2014. With a platform from the third-generation Mini, the vehicles would range from minicars to compacts, according to BMW development head Klaus Draeger.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,897
From: Greenville, SC
Before I explained it to her, my wife had NO clue what a RWD or FWD vehicle was, or that there was a difference. She only knew that a 4wd could spin "all the wheels."
I live only miles from the BMW plant, so there's A LOT of them around here. The majority of vehicles that I see are driven by women. I'd be willing to bet they could care less what drives the car, as long as it goes.
I live only miles from the BMW plant, so there's A LOT of them around here. The majority of vehicles that I see are driven by women. I'd be willing to bet they could care less what drives the car, as long as it goes.
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Oakland, California
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,448
From: Irving, TX
It isn't them being dumb, they just don't care to know. Some things, like which wheels drive the car, are less important to them as cup holders and bluetooth. Why not ask him has many gears are in the transmission? I had to explain to my wife how the manu-matic downshifting works and why it would be good to use in icy conditions. Granted, we live in TX and we don't have icy conditions but 1 or 2 days a year. Point being, it isn't on the top of the mind of most buyers.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,977
From: SeVa
Intersting, off-topic, but I remember Ford saying something to the effect that non-enthusiast types really didn't care what the rear suspension was like on the S-197. Alot of people called it a flat out lie and a cop out for not including IRS on the then new car.
It boggles the mind
Hmmmmm... I wonder if the BMW sales guys down-played the 1-series RWD in the snowbelt????
It boggles the mind
Hmmmmm... I wonder if the BMW sales guys down-played the 1-series RWD in the snowbelt????
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 578
From: Cheektowaga, NY (Buffalo)
This reminds me of when I worked in a tire shop years ago and a customer needed a flat tire replaced. They came in with the compact spare on and when we asked where they put the old wheel they said "I left it on the side of the road. You mean the new tire doesn't come with the rim too???" talk about karma for dumping on the side of the road
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