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Old 10-23-2006, 09:42 AM   #17 (permalink)
Harry Plopper
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Re: First drive - X5 E70

Quote:
Originally Posted by Imhotep Evil
They could have used an ASF or something to lose some weight.
ASF is too costy. Especially for a SUV / SAV. Look at raw aluminium prices.
Expect ASF or composite alu-CF frames in top-end models only.

Have you asked yourself how much many eg. Audi makes with A8? Profit margins are much lower than the ones on 7er or S-class, despite Audi selling A8 at similar prices.

Mind that BMW try to combine best technical solutions & highest possible profit margin. They could easily make a ASF 3er or CF Z4, but then

a) prices for such vehicles would be much higher - making BMW cars too expensive: resulting in a heavy sales drop = much lower revenues & profit,
b) BMW would sell them with minimal profit margin or even loss.

I think Quandts & other major BMW investors wouldn't be much happy with such results.
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