Nigel Jul 17th, 2007 Link
A front wheel drive vehicle wearing the BMW propeller? What the world has come to?
I am afraid that BMW is providing the answer to a question no one is asking, that is, if these rumors prove to be true at some point or another.
So assuming that this BMW Series “0″ is in the works, you have to wonder about the inevitable market impact this car can have on the MINI brand. After all it will be a MINI chassis wearing a BMW body wrapper.
I think BMW needs to distance themselves from the binge of badge engineering that has plagued General Motors, Ford and others in the past 30 years.
You could say the glass is half full or half empty, depending from your point of view, but I think a FWD BMW slotted below the 1 series (Which has the potential to draw away MINI customers) and so uncomfortably close to the MINI itself, is simply a very crumbly business decision and could affect MINI in a very negative way.
Sometimes I think that BMW is losing it, really. BMW should stick to high/higher end sporty RWD cars and crossovers. Let MINI be the outlet to satisfy the needs of the front wheel drive/Premium small car segment.
The only instance where a FWD series “0″ BMW would make some sense, is to sell it in countries where the MINI is not available. Those customers will get the taste of the R56 prowess but on a BMW body.
In all and all, it is a crazy idea. Maybe I am missing the point. But let MINI be MINI and BMW be BMW.
Unless, BMW wants to be generous and supply a suitable RWD platform as the basis of a uber exotic MINI vehicle.
:)
Very interesting proposition nevertheless.
-Nigel
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