Autofocus Interview Chris Bangle - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Gustav · 9th October 2003, 13:03

Autofocus is an high-end carmagazine which I seldom read.

The article is starting by quoting two posts seeming random choise out of the Stop Chris Bangle Petition that was started on this site some years ago.

The refeer to the petitoners as a "mob" and say that they are mainly against the 7-series, Z4 and sometimes also the Compact. They also underline that Chris Bangle have neeb employed by BMW since 1992 under famous and well respected directors such as Wolfgang Reitzle.

Mr bangle declined to stand next to a drawing he did since his complainers might be saying "Look, he cant even draw".

Overall I think the interview was more an attack on his protesters and a bit too soft on the actual critisism, but interesting neverthless.

Here is the petition:

Stop Chris Bangle Petition....

Guust Flater · 9th October 2003, 14:55

In the Dutch car-magazine 'Autovisie' of 9 october 2003 (no. 21) is an interview with dr. Helmut Panke, head of the BMW-group. He defends in this article the new design-line of BMW, a direction that was formed from several points of view from the whole leading staff (heads the concern and the designers) of BMW. He explains that there where four main proposals, each different of approach: traditional, evolutionair, 'avant-garde' and renaissance.

They opted for a modern design, to put a strong accent on the big technologic step forwards (on ICT, new engines, gearboxes, etc.).

Also BMW wanted to have a bigger difference between the existing lines and more space for the new lines (6, X3, etc) and to have all the models a strong , own profile.

There's also the explicite question on a possible fire of Chris Bangle. His answer on that looks strong: no way.

Guust

Gustav · 9th October 2003, 14:59

Slate.com (which also mentioned the poll) had a very harsh article abotu Panke and Bangle.

But BMW seem to sell good, the sales are up compared to last year and the new M5 looks VERY promising, at least to me

Guust Flater · 9th October 2003, 15:02

And there's one more strong quote from dr. Panke:

'On design we don't choose for customer-democracy but we take our own responsibillity!'

CharlieMax · 9th October 2003, 17:17

We do not care what the customers think.

We will do what we **** well please.

MEnthusiast · 10th October 2003, 02:31

what is success?

In the car biz its selling cars. if the new BMWs sell, all will be good. if they dont, then there will be trouble.

I think no one at BMW would ever admit to trouble if it was happening. Even if they wanted to fire Bangle now, they would not. They would wait, quietly assign him a different role, when the model cycle changes in 8 years or so they will announce he has to go on some kind of family leave or something.

anyway, I dont particularly like the new designs, but I dont think they are that bad and I also dont think Bangle is the devil. I think they are trying to make a change and to deal with the massive success BMW has had and to keep it going.

Its very easy for us to criticize. To create is another matter. I will give them their due for at least having the courage of their convictions.

slief · 10th October 2003, 03:03

MEnthusiast,
Well said!

CharlieMax · 10th October 2003, 03:16

Selling cars is of course the name of the game.

We are told that the new 7 is still selling well although I read that it
has sold less units than the previous year. Whereas the MB S has sold more.

BMW's sell primarily due to their brilliant mechanical engineering.

They will continue to sell for this reason alone.

But how many more would be sold if they also were designed
as beautiful rolling sculptures like most high priced Italian cars.

Having to get used to a new design is not IMO a good design goal.

I have seen an E60 530 Sport and it looks sort of OK but IMO my
E39 540 still is a more attractive car.

JESawyer · 10th October 2003, 09:21

Quote:

Originally posted by CharlieMax
We do not care what the customers think.

We will do what we **** well please.

Is it better to pander to the tastes of the "average" person?

"Pearl Harbor is a great movie!"

"Arvil Lavigne's music is sooooo great!"

The new BMWs make strong statements that people react strongly to. Some reactions are very good. Some are very bad. When I see the new Mercedes, Audis, and Jags, I have general warm feeling of, "Oh, that's pretty nice." I don't really care what the majority of people think is "pretty nice". I want the car that I think looks the best and performs the best.

I was at my mechanic's once and a woman was there dropping off her 325i. She pointed at a 2002 on a lift and said to her daughter, "See how ugly BMWs used to be?" I rolled my eyes. I love the 2002, and would love to have an obnoxious inka orange or cool amazon green tii to roll up next to S500s at stop lights.

If you attempt to be noteably progressive, you have to make strong statements and take strong actions. These will evoke strong reactions for good or ill. It is a risky route for BMW, but I would rather see them take risks than pump out the same dull, generally attractive thing over and over again. If BMW makes a car that's not appealing to me, it's not like I'm personally harmed by it; I'm just less likely to purchase it. Oh well. Others may look at the same car and say, "Hot ****! I want that!"

If the numbers play out in BMW's favor, it's hard to fault them.

MEnthusiast · 10th October 2003, 19:16

hey, I like Avril Lavigne