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Originally Posted by heavyD^2
This has ... absolutely nothing to do with EV's ... everything to do with an already softening marked continuing from 2019 and first and foremost a global pandemic.
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Yes.
However, it is nevertheless true that Tesla - an EV only automaker - managed to thrive during this time, increasing sales and profits alike.
Could BMW have been in that position? No, of course not. That was not possible given their business was built around ICE vehicles and was not being pumped full of money by folks betting (correctly it would appear) that this was the beginning of the second coming of the automotive revolution.
However, BMW absolutely
did have an early leg up to be on trend, and they largely blew that. Had they managed themselves more efficiently and robustly, they might have been a little more Tesla-y in these trying times and a little less everyone-else-y.
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... number or models, etc ...
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Again, yes you're right. But at the same time, BMW's lineup is too fat and they are well aware of that (even if they'll try to convince you all is well), and you better believe they are going to make some changes that will include cutting some slow selling form factors.
Had they gone into the pandemic with less models would they have come out ahead? Hell no! They'd still have gotten killed. But at least they'd be better off in that they wouldn't be trying to cut that fat while figuring out how to return to profitability by fixing other broken things.
So yeah, you're right, but the mention of these other issues in this thread isn't totally off base. There are plenty of chinks in the armor, and we know that's the case because they have their best talent tending to it. Let's hope it's enough to right the ship quickly. I think they'll be fine, but this isn't a slam dunk.