[dalboyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

what it means is that the car has influences from the human form, such as the rear corners acting like male shoulders giving it a masculine look, yet other areas have female influences so that the design appeals to both male and female, so kind of covering the sporty look, but retains its cute side

Well that's OK then!

Or does it mean that the R56 is a sad case of metrosexual gender confusion?

In fact, Rakey, having read your interpretation again, I'm starting to worry that you come from the same planet as old Gert Hildebonkers...tell me I'm wrong!

Ian

[dalboyne]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

39 Replies and, so far, no one has had a good word to say about Gert's answers as far as I can see

Personally, I feel his answers are insulting our intelligence

Tigger.

Really Tigger? I thought he was merely trying to show how he is just so much smarter than we are - after all, he was able to reply to 10 questions without actually answering any of them in any meaningful way. Sooner or later, a guy with an ego like this has got to go into politics - he is clearly so wasting his talents on something as menial as car design......

Roll on the day when BMW wake up.....

Ian

[CooperS4us]

Agreed Tigger. I have never been impressed by marketing speak. Since I am not the gullible type, I can easily pick up the BS'ing on every response from this individual. The R56 is not selling terribly well here in the United States as April sales figures published by BMW USA are showing. R56 sales are "flat" as best in comparison to the prior year and dealers are stocking up on unsold R56 inventory.

This should give MINI pause to re-think the strategy they have chosen to follow with this car and what better way to do that by feedback from sites such as this.

[CooperS4us]

Quote: Originally Posted by dalboyne (original)

Really Tigger? I thought he was merely trying to show how he is just so much smarter than we are - after all, he was able to reply to 10 questions without actually answering any of them in any meaningful way. Sooner or later, a guy with an ego like this has got to go into politics - he is clearly so wasting his talents on something as menial as car design......

Roll on the day when BMW wake up.....

Ian

Amen.

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by dalboyne (original)

Really Tigger? I thought he was merely trying to show how he is just so much smarter than we are - after all, he was able to reply to 10 questions without actually answering any of them in any meaningful way. Sooner or later, a guy with an ego like this has got to go into politics - he is clearly so wasting his talents on something as menial as car design......

Roll on the day when BMW wake up.....

Ian

BMW are unlikely to wake up I'm afraid Ian; remember, Bungle is in charge of design and they probably get on famously

Tigger.

[msh441]

Quote:

The R56 is not selling terribly well here in the United States as April sales figures published by BMW USA are showing. R56 sales are "flat" as best in comparison to the prior year and dealers are stocking up on unsold R56 inventory.

Actually sales are up 2.1% for April 2007... and that's with two fewer documented sales days than 2006 (about 48-50 cars, at least).

http://www.gbmini.net/images/MINIsalesGraph.jpg

Overall 2007 sales are down 10.5% when compared to the first quarter of 2006 but it's hard not to think these numbers are normal, considering two key points: 1) Very few "new" MINI purchases were even possible between Novermber 2006 through the R56 launch in February 2007. That's a month and a half of nothing but convertibles. and 2) It's a new and unproven car. The fact that sales are even close to steady for March and April is a pretty good sign that all is not lost (like some would have us believe).

[medilloni]

Quote: Originally Posted by msh441 (original)

Actually sales are up 2.1% for April 2007... and that's with two fewer documented sales days than 2006 (about 48-50 cars, at least).

http://www.gbmini.net/images/MINIsalesGraph.jpg

Overall 2007 sales are down 10.5% when compared to the first quarter of 2006 but it's hard not to think these numbers are normal, considering two key points: 1) Very few "new" MINI purchases were even possible between Novermber 2006 through the R56 launch in February 2007. That's a month and a half of nothing but convertibles. and 2) It's a new and unproven car. The fact that sales are even close to steady for March and April is a pretty good sign that all is not lost (like some would have us believe).

Indeedy, any new launch for a manufacturer shows a dip in sales on roll out. As for what BMW/MINI care about what we think, I don't think they give a toss

I am, by the way, in deep admiration of your sig msh - truly a classic

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by medilloni (original)

Indeedy, any new launch for a manufacturer shows a dip in sales on roll out.

Got to disagree with this. The launch of any new model should be a time for manufacturers to "make hay" with all of the interest, press coverage and associated publicity of a new product launch. Conversely the final year of an old model's lifespan should be about reduced sales as interest naturally wanes and customers hold off for the new model. Just to maintain a constant level of sales over the period is not a good result.

Quote: Originally Posted by medilloni (original)

As for what BMW/MINI care about what we think, I don't think they give a toss

That could easily be true....

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

Got to disagree with this. The launch of any new model should be a time for manufacturers to "make hay" with all of the interest, press coverage and associated publicity of a new product launch. Conversely the final year of an old model's lifespan should be about reduced sales as interest naturally wanes and customers hold off for the new model. Just to maintain a constant level of sales over the period is not a good result.

Actually John, on this very rare occasion I disagree

What you have said there is true for the vast majority of manufacturers and launches. However, in general, this really only applies to new models. For example... 2001, MINI launch, huge demand, and 2004, convertible launch, huge demand.

However, the R56 wasn't so much a new product launch, as a replacement roll out. Despite the media coverage, the vast majority of punters won't really see the difference, even though we the enthusiast can tell the difference from 800 yards with one eye closed. We however make up the minority.

MINI have succeeded in replacing the R50 and R53 with a new model which is easier to build and ultimately is more profitable, and the vast majority of folks haven't noticed. I bet every company wishes they could achieve that!

MINI instead will be saving the hype for the Clubman and the standalone Works model

Very clever stuff by the boys at the bakery

[medilloni]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

Got to disagree with this. The launch of any new model should be a time for manufacturers to "make hay" with all of the interest, press coverage and associated publicity of a new product launch. Conversely the final year of an old model's lifespan should be about reduced sales as interest naturally wanes and customers hold off for the new model. Just to maintain a constant level of sales over the period is not a good result.
That could easily be true....

Hmm. Maybe I could have been to sweeping in my statement....... And I would agree with youTigger, that could be seen as logical.

One of our old clients is a car manufacturer (no, not MINI or BMW!!) and the guys in their marketing dept say that immediately prior to launch there is a history of consumer 'wobble', in that they might hold back and wait for the dust to settle - hence a dip in sales. Then of course (if you've done it right!), you get your boom.

So, things could have changed, maybe they're more slick at it these days - I'm prepared to stand corrected

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Working in sales myself I can relate to the idea of a customer "wobble" I guess it's down to the slickness of the publicity and launch arrangements to turn that wobble into an early sale.