Official Announcement: BMW Group Design team implements new organisational structure

[eman4517]

Originally Posted by TEGRITY

All hail, Heilmer, I guess. Interesting choice and hope it’s for the better. I like Mini’s and he didn’t do a good job IMO.

Edit. Even though I'm 1/2 German and 1/2 Italian, I thought I'd better walk back that one! I meant maybe he might make a bold & positive change that stands out. (went over like a lead Hindenburg)

[19G20]

They are adjusting and will adjust back until they can get somebody else who is better

[hufington]

From this announcement it is clear that they will increase cost-cutting ("cross-brand"), focus more on EV ("Designing digital experiences and sound"), cheapen the used materials while trying to market it as modern and thoughtful ("sustainable and recycled materials"), and the interiors of the various cars of the same brand will look even more alike and basic ("holistic and harmonious integration of the various elements").

I am not sure that they listen to the "customer preferences" as they claim.

[imperfectluck]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

The haters here have no concept of how car design works.

Also just as a note, a car doesn't 'die' when you don't like its design personally.

I suppose by that logic, the organizational changes aren’t for other people to try their hand at BMW’s vision.

I never was a fan of the G8x design across the board. The engineering efforts in the vehicle is marvelous. Its performance is what sells the vehicle as the entire package performs really, really well.

Cars are meant to be driven so if it performs really well for its price segment I expect it to sell like hot cakes like it has been. Design wise I do like the G82 CSL over the factory Comp model.

I can see a dated E46 and it brings a smile to my face every time.

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by Bimmerfun82

At least we know who was responsible in destroying mini, and that person is now in charge of M….

there is really no M per say anymore...

its more of a sportier ev division for the future... i cant imagine the future cars will not all be a form of hybrid or ev

[yousefnjr]

Boy are some folks in here going to be disappointed imo the shakeup is not a reaction to the forum bawwing, it’s just a matter of routine and rotating folks around. Notice how nobody was shown the door, particularly the guy in charge of it all.

They’ve been doing weird shit for a long time, certainly not a new phenomenon. You can google the Z1, isetta, clown shoe, spicup (pic below), and many many others. Some good, some bad, but in any case they’ve never been afraid to push boundaries. Big grills, small grills, tall grills.. the BMW 700 didn’t have a grill at all trends come, go, and come back again. It is what it is. You can cry about how losing “angel eyes” means they’ve lost their way. In reality, that little piece of design is maybe 20 years old within a 100 year old company. They’ll probably come back at some point, and then leave us again. As with most things in life, the only thing you can consistently count on is change. IMO the things you can generally (not always) count on is a fun car that feels good, with a nod or two to the past.

[bavarianboar]

Originally Posted by LuckyL

Not so keen on the statement:

“Like the NEUE KLASSE, which represents the redefinition of the BMW brand with its “electric, digital, circular” philosophy, a new cross-brand design team will be launched on 1 October 2024 to meet changing demands for future-oriented vehicle design.”

To me — this is the nail in the coffin.

The beauty and integrity BMW once had seems to be replaced with the false belief that we, as consumers, want cars that are over-engineered, drowned in useless technology, contain homogeneous design elements (to both themselves and other auto manufacturers), and then on top of all this, are electric.

#MakeBMWGreatAgain

Elon has destroyed what customers want and where the money/sales is. RIP

[bavarianboar]

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

Boy are some folks in here going to be disappointed imo the shakeup is not a reaction to the forum bawwing, it’s just a matter of routine and rotating folks around. Notice how nobody was shown the door, particularly the guy in charge of it all.

They’ve been doing weird shit for a long time, certainly not a new phenomenon. You can google the Z1, isetta, clown shoe, spicup (pic below), and many many others. Some good, some bad, but in any case they’ve never been afraid to push boundaries. Big grills, small grills, tall grills.. the BMW 700 didn’t have a grill at all trends come, go, and come back again. It is what it is. You can cry about how losing “angel eyes” means they’ve lost their way. In reality, that little piece of design is maybe 20 years old within a 100 year old company. They’ll probably come back at some point, and then leave us again. As with most things in life, the only thing you can consistently count on is change. IMO the things you can generally (not always) count on is a fun car that feels good, with a nod or two to the past.

Nobody gets shown the door in Europe. Labor laws are too tight and firing or heavily demoting a higher up leader is toxic for the brand.

There are more rules, restrictions and strange politics than corporate America. Unless you work for BMW and have insider info on good authority, your assessment is just a wild guess.

RR projects may just be execution and limited design opportunities, who knows.

[WedgeSalad]

He's Coming

[JohnOnM]

Originally Posted by Cortexiphan

The haters here have no concept of how car design works.

Also just as a note, a car doesn't 'die' when you don't like its design personally.

I agree. I think some of us are showing our age.

[eman4517]

Originally Posted by JohnOnM

I agree. I think some of us are showing our age.

Yes, change is inevitable. Many will complain and then go out and buy it the 2nd year it's out.

I did not embrace the G8x grille, yet I eventually bought 2. Go figure. People get uncomfortable when their cheese moves, many adapt, others starve I guess. 😧🧀

Edit- Some of the Gen Z and late Millenials seemed confused, so here ya go! 😂
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Moved_My_Cheese%3F

[Bimmerfun82]

Originally Posted by eman4517

Yes, change is inevitable. Many will complain and then go out and buy it the 2nd year it's out.

I did not embrace the G8x grille, yet I eventually bought 2. Go figure. People get uncomfortable when their cheese moves, many adapt, others starve I guess. 😧🧀

I did too (bought 2). Still hate the grille and think it’s a travesty to the brand.

[M6-Coupe]

The similar post is in F90 section with more than 10 pages since 9/12
Wondering why that post is not at front page?

https://f90.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2132999

[mirob]

I see a lot of you pining for the former BMW designers that went to Kia but I don't see a lot of you buying the Kia's they're designing.

[UtahBimmerBoy]

Its funny to see all the hate for this design team though they just put BMW on the top of the Luxury segment for almost 4 years in a row now. I am glad though they're making this switch, hopefully they can pull back in some of those traditional BMW looks.

The newest 5 Series and XM have been the biggest flops in my opinion.

They did an excellent job with the G80/G82, their aggressive and exclusive look is one of the big reasons they're in such demand (And the S58, lol).

[David Kunitz]

Originally Posted by David1

Can we bring back the BMW folks that went over Kia/Genesis...

Yes, exactly

[LuisBoston]

I’m all for the NK design language. It can get here fast enough. Everything else in the lineup is already stale compared to what’s coming.

As a diehard naturally aspirated straight-six, hydraulically steered, manual transmission, last of a generation BMW owner, I’m embracing the future. As soon as manuals died, I realized it was time to move on.

Since all cars with be automatic only, EVs are better in just about every which way from efficiency of mobility (aside from walking or biking or taking a train) to efficiency of design (fewer parts, less maintenance, better interior *******, to more efficient power delivery. Fully electric cannot be beat.

As many bemoan, I agree that PHEVs are the worst of both worlds: more complexity, still need to plug in, none of efficiency benefits of a full EV, and still heavy and reliant on oil companies.

To those negativos on here I’m willing to bet many can’t even drive a stick shift. 🫣

I’m excited for the future, and it’s coming whether you like it or not.

(Ok I’m done provoking, carry on!)

[Game]

I am happy to see Jose Casas out of the picture.

[Ugly Kar]

I'm happy to see Claudia. Porsche and Volvo have some very nice looking cars even if Volvo quality sucks. They should have more than 1 female too, seems a little, well you know what.

[Ugly Kar]

Originally Posted by JohnOnM

I agree. I think some of us are showing our age.

I say BS on that. I like a whole lot of new car designs. As mentioned, Kia/Hyundai (and their customer is one of the youngest), Volvo, Porsche, Audi, GM, some Stellatis, and more. Of course Ferrari has always been and will probably always be awesome.

It's just that I don't like most new BMW designs because they have done nothing but throw a bunch of odd shapes together call it new and refreshed therefore you're old and stupid if you don't like it. There's a reason people with big noses don't get modeling jobs even if they like the new BMW designs.

[junx]

Please don’t screw up the M cars like they have in the last couple of years.

[sputnik]

Originally Posted by Game

I am happy to see Jose Casas out of the picture.

I am aware Jose Casas designed the latest M2, and M5. What other models has he designed?