BMW CEO Harald Krüger resigns

[Galaxy]

As is being reported in the news. He was at the helm for only 4 years. Apparently he did this to get ahead of the board firing him. The new CEO will be decided on at a board meeting on July 18. Apparently the two front runners are Head of R&D Klaus Fröhlich, and Head of Production Oliver Zipse. Fröhlich has a reputation as being an excellent engineer, however also for having a temper. Zipse is more diplomatic, and has union support.

[12,000 RPM]

[Morris Minor]

Purely unscientific & anecdotal.... but I just don't see a lot of BMWs on the roads. People going for the vanity brands are in Audis, Mercs & Lexusezzes. (edit... and I'm seeing a lot of Volvos too recently)
People who want upmarket sedans are in Teslas.


https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-07-05/bmw-ceo-harald-krueger-informs-board-he-won-t-seek-a-second-term
Excerpt:
BMW fell 0.5% to 66.78 euros as of 1:33 p.m. in Frankfurt. The shares are down almost 40% over Krueger's term. By comparison, the Stoxx 600 autos and auto-parts index has declined by about 22% over the same period.

[r0tor]

Feels like he was given a company that had already lost its target market

[Galaxy]

Excerpt:
BMW fell 0.5% to 66.78 euros as of 1:33 p.m. in Frankfurt. The shares are down almost 40% over Krueger's term. By comparison, the Stoxx 600 autos and auto-parts index has declined by about 22% over the same period.

If the share prices goes down further, I wonder if the Quandt family would consider buying the just over 50% of the company they do not already own and take BMW private.

[12,000 RPM]

Feels like he was given a company that had already lost its target market

*takes deep breath*

And what, dare I ask, is BMW's target market?

[2o6]

*takes deep breath*

And what, dare I ask, is BMW's target market?

Whatever the Chinese want

[r0tor]

*takes deep breath*

And what, dare I ask, is BMW's target market?

I think it was buyers who wanted the "ultimate driving machine"

[MX793]

[Laconian]

It looks like the board wants more electrified vehicles, and is finding BMW's current electric offerings to be tepid/half-assed. I know I certainly think that.

[12,000 RPM]

I think it was buyers who wanted the "ultimate driving machine"

Why'd those buyers not buy "ultimate driving machines" when BMW last sold them?

Why'd the Alpha Cadillacs fail?

Why is the Giulia a niche player?

[Laconian]

Mmm hmmm yup I was right
https://apnews.com/cdae456e8c1948e5b7f01c602eda23dc

[r0tor]

Why'd those buyers not buy "ultimate driving machines" when BMW last sold them?

Why'd the Alpha Cadillacs fail?

Why is the Giulia a niche player?

BMW stock is down 40% in 4 years so trying to be more boring I mean mainstream didn't exactly work

[12,000 RPM]

BMW stock is down 40% in 4 years so trying to be more boring I mean mainstream didn't exactly work

Haven't all car companies lost a ton of market cap against Tesla? Auto stockholders are not rational right now

[2o6]

The real problem is BMW's uninspired styling inside and out. Driving dynamics are second to the fact their entire mode lineup isn't interesting.

[12,000 RPM]

Yes... the F10 5er was a harbinger of things to come. They're phoning it in

Weirdly, staid ass Mercedes is knocking it out of the park across the line.  Even the SUV coupes are OK

[Laconian]

Even the SUV coupes are OK

False. GLEs are egg-shaped abominations.

[Raza]

Yes... the F10 5er was a harbinger of things to come. They're phoning it in

Weirdly, staid ass Mercedes is knocking it out of the park across the line.  Even the SUV coupes are OK

Every SUV coupe needs to be dumped in the Marianas Trench.

[FoMoJo]

False. GLEs are egg-shaped abominations.

Every SUV coupe needs to be dumped in the Marianas Trench.

Is that what they're call now?  Those fat assed, ugly abominations. 

[12,000 RPM]

I saw a GLE63 in Portland... the combo of its stupid shape and obnoxious exhaust note made me giggle. Y so serious guys?

[Submariner]

Yes... the F10 5er was a harbinger of things to come. They're phoning it in

Weirdly, staid ass Mercedes is knocking it out of the park across the line.  Even the SUV coupes are OK

I'd say that they are knocking it out of the park...aside from those stupid lifted coupes.

[Raza]

I saw a GLE63 in Portland... the combo of its stupid shape and obnoxious exhaust note made me giggle. Y so serious guys?

[Laconian]

LOL