BMW plans naming ‘evolution’ to accommodate entry-level cars
The naming structure of all cars and brands in the BMW stable will be part of an evolution as the German manufacturing giant decides how it will position new additions to its line-up.
With BMW Group set to introduce a number of entry-level front-wheel drive models, BMW sales and marketing director, Ian Robertson, said the brand would be forced to tweak its naming structure.
“There will be an evolution of naming across all brands,” Mr Robertson told US publication Inside Line.
The BMW range currently has ‘Series’ cars filling positions 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7. Also in the stable is the ‘M’ performance division, the ‘X’ SUV sub-brand, the ‘Z’ sports car stable and the all-new ‘i’ electric/plug-in line-up.
Mr Robertson was asked what BMW plans to do when a sub-1 Series model is launched, to which he answered: “there are a lot of numbers that can be exploited in the future”. Reports have suggested BMW is poised to badge the next-generation 1 Series as a 2 Series and give the 1 Series name to a smaller model.
It is also believed there will be a greater emphasis on alphanumeric naming in the MINI and Rolls-Royce ranges in the future, although Mr Robertson admitted making changes to those vehicle line-ups was a more difficult task.
“It’s more complicated with MINI and Rolls-Royce. It’s harder worldwide because many names have been copyrighted.”
BMW has already trademarked the names i1 to i9 globally and in Australia in anticipation of future models in its alternative energy family.
How do you think BMW should name new models to its line-up? Is there an easy solution? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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