Bangle to leave BMWAG ? Could this really be true ??? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

FAST 5 · 15th January 2004, 08:22

According to Auto Express Chris Bangle will leave BMW in a years time just after the release of the new 1 series. Check out/read this week's edition on page 19.
What do you guys think ?????
BS or real?
Thanks.

EBMCS03 · 15th January 2004, 08:24

Intersting... After he screws up BMW he leaves? heheheeh J/K J/K

MEnthusiast · 15th January 2004, 14:24

I believe it.

Andy-UK · 15th January 2004, 14:31

Did he jump or was he pushed? Thats the question that I am thinking...

Zlaatan · 15th January 2004, 15:16

After all the negative responses worldwide I think this could be true. He must be the least popular cardesigner of them all. And BMW knows this. I'm surprised he's allowed to stay that long!

Jim Dolan · 15th January 2004, 15:26

I have said that Bangle's job is secure with BMW because to fire him would be an admission that the car designs have been poorly recieved at best. That the time for him to go would be in about four or five years with a new design team in place and with his current contribution lessened , and no doubt about that.

However, if he voluntarily quits because he can no longer stand the heat, that would hurt BMW and it wouldn't surprise me if he did that and that he didn't care how much damage he did to BMW in doing so. His personality is sort of arrogant if you recall his explaination of the 745 design a couple of years ago.

He may find it difficult to get a top job with another auto manufacturer under these circumstances, so, I think he would wait to quit and BMW would not fire him, so I think he'll stay for a while longer. On the other hand,I doubt he could get another top job with another car company and that cancels out the wait to quit thought so it could be true.

Good bye Chris, God's speed and never darken my door again.

Aussie2U · 15th January 2004, 17:10

I'd say he probably reached 100% vesting with his 401k at Mercedes! That and the fact that all BMW designs are etched in stone, his job here is done.

MEnthusiast · 15th January 2004, 22:06

Jim,
Indeed your thinking is correct. The real story is Bangle has been quietly promoted to a position where he can no longer directly influence design. He will then retire from an elevated position- allowing BMW to claim he is leaving/ retiring from a position of success. My gut feeling says after this model cycle we will see a return to more traditional BMW styling and controls.