Here's part of a report from the Detroit Auto Show.
"We’re still BMW (at least until further notice). BMW showed a much-needed freshening of the Z4, which makes the car actually attractive for the first time ever, and the new 7, which is light years more appealing than the previous one. Oh yes, there was an X6 hybrid, too, but that vehicle is so eminently forgettable and such a painfully overwrought joke that no one bothered to notice. BMW’s big problem going forward is that almost half their business in the U.S. was built up by way of subsidized leasing. They added volume and dealers with this strategy, and it all worked exceedingly well - at least until the financial markets’ collapsed and the credit crisis hit – but now, despite public comments to the contrary, BMW executives are nervous and for very good reason. BMW’s business, as much as any other manufacturer hinges on consumer confidence and affordable leasing programs. Without it, BMW could be facing a long, hard road of gradually contracting sales, something that they haven’t had to deal with in a long, long time."
The full report can be found here:
http://www.autoextremist.com:80/
Bookmarks