BMW - Chinese millionaires' favorite luxury brand!

Harry Plopper · 01-12-2007, 10:55 AM

BMW Emerges As China's Favourite Luxury Brand As Sales Boom

German automaker BMW AG has emerged as China's favourite luxury brand as the premium car group said Friday its sales in the Asian powerhouse economy boomed.

While BMW said its 2006 sales in China raced ahead by 51.3 per cent, a study on the nation's booming luxury goods market named the Munich-based premium cars as the most popular brand among China's burgeoning new rich.

Drawn up by a company specializing in monitoring consumer tastes among wealthy Chinese, the so-called Hurun report showed BMW beating other leading luxury brand names such as French fashion group Louis Vuitton, watchmaker Rolex and BMW rival Mercedes Benz to the number spot among China's elite.

The research, which was based on the responses of 604 Chinese entrepreneurs with a wealth of over one million dollars, was also a further sign of the rapidly changing lifestyles taking hold in the nation.

Amid a boom in luxury car sales in China, BMW said that sales in the nation last year totalled 36,357 cars with sales rising by 35.4 per cent when Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau were included in the figures.

China's new rich nominated Nokia as their favourite mobile phone but also enjoyed the fashion wear offered by Giorgio Armani, the Hurun study showed. IBM was ranked as the best laptop computer.

The Hurun report showed that China's wealthy prefer to spend more time wine tasting than with their family.

China's wealthy like to spend their spare time travelling, with Australia their favourite international destination followed by France and the United States.

The Chinese resort island of Hainan was the most popular domestic destination for China's elite. BMW also said sales of its compact Mini brand surged by a staggering 250 per cent to 1,057 vehicles in China last year.

But as a sign of the rapidly growing demand for luxury cars in China, sales of Rolls Royce saloons, which are also part of the BMW car stable, soared by 60 per cent last year.

© 2007 DPA

http://www.playfuls.com/news_09_2069-BMW-Emerges-As-Chinas-Favourite-Luxury-Brand-As-Sales-Boom.html

Poverty · 01-12-2007, 11:40 AM

A bit of a misleading article title there.

Imhotep Evil · 01-12-2007, 11:55 AM

True.
By sales Audi is no.1 by quite a margin.

Yannis · 01-12-2007, 11:59 AM

Newly nich Chinese prefer BMW as i understand from the article.

This older article that was posted in the forum not long ago confirms that:

"Mercedes is also known as the car to ride in. China's established wealthy are still more inclined to ride than drive," Asher said.

In contrast, BMW's brand image in China has been downgraded a little by the fact that many of its customers are nouveau riche.

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Harry Plopper · 01-12-2007, 12:32 PM

Indeed.

While Audi capitalizing on being an official supplier to Chinese communist regime, BMW cars are more preferred by Chinese nouveau riche - the emerging class in China. As you can see 604 magnates have declared BMW as their favourite luxury brand - not just among automotive brands, but in general.

Btw, saying that BMW image downgraded due their customers being mainly nouveau riche is a bit ignorant & stupid.

In whose eyes has been BMW image downgraded?
In the eyes of people who can't afford BMW? Not relevant!
In the eyes Chinese non-existing aristocracy? Not possible since it is non-existent!
In the eyes of communist regime? That can boost BMW image even more.

Nuoveau riche are the biggest customers of luxury goods in the developing countries. Who else would it be? There is no aristocracy, or rich families with an old pedigree in those countries. Definitely not in Mainland China - but very much likely in Hong Kong especially (and also Taiwan in lesser extent).

PS: yes, BMW still lags behind Audi very much in sales. And it looks like Audi will boost the sales even more - and increase the gap. But ... It can be very dangerous for Audi in the long run to be tagged as the "official car of the regime"!

Choleric · 01-12-2007, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnI

Indeed.

While Audi capitalizing on being an official supplier to Chinese communist regime, BMW cars are more preferred by Chinese nouveau riche - the emerging class in China. As you can see 604 magnates have declared BMW as their favourite luxury brand - not just among automotive brands, but in general.

Btw, saying that BMW image downgraded due their customers being mainly nouveau riche is a bit ignorant & stupid.

In whose eyes has been BMW image downgraded?
In the eyes of people who can't afford BMW? Not relevant!
In the eyes Chinese non-existing aristocracy? Not possible since it is non-existent!
In the eyes of communist regime? That can boost BMW image even more.

Nuoveau riche are the biggest customers of luxury goods in the developing countries. Who else would it be? There is no aristocracy, or rich families with an old pedigree in those countries. Definitely not in Mainland China - but very much likely in Hong Kong especially (and also Taiwan in lesser extent).

PS: yes, BMW still lags behind Audi very much in sales. And it looks like Audi will boost the sales even more - and increase the gap. But ... It can be very dangerous for Audi in the long run to be tagged as the "official car of the regime"!

I love how youre turninug this Audi vs. BMW thing into a communism vs. non-communism thing. Who cares if Audi sells their cars to the government. Do we care anymore who was the supplier for the Nazi's?

Why is it neccesary to even mention "communist regime" at all, this was simply a thread about car popularity in China.

Harry Plopper · 01-12-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Choleric

I love how youre turninug this Audi vs. BMW thing into a communism vs. non-communism thing. Who cares if Audi sells their cars to the government. Do we care anymore who was the supplier for the Nazi's?

Why is it neccesary to even mention "communist regime" at all, this was simply a thread about car popularity in China.

Sorry, it's a fact. It's not something I made up.

It's not my fault Audi has chosen to tie with the Chinese government. I'm not saying anything is wrong with that. But IMO that can hurt their future image in China.

You can cover your eyes (and ears) , but that will change nothing.

Choleric · 01-12-2007, 01:10 PM

Ok fair enough, I never doubted that they did.

Just IMO I think it will have a very small if any impact on their image.

So I agree to disagree.

Mirage77 · 01-12-2007, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Choleric

Just IMO I dont think it will have a very small if any impact on their image.

The dictator of North Korea, Kim Jong Ill has a few Phaetons. Sometimes being tied to such a meticulous and fussy dictator can have a good effect on the Phaeton's image.

One instance to show how fussy he really is: every grain of rice he eats is checked carefully by his workers to make sure that they are perfectly shaped.

But back to the topic. China being the second largest car market in the world (and very soon the largest) I wonder how the big carmakers would do in the future: that is, whether they would cater to Chinese tastes in design. Now they are offering LWB versions of the S6/5er but I have no reason to doubt China will play a bigger influence in product development in the future.

Yannis · 01-12-2007, 10:25 PM

Audi is doing great in China with 30% rise in sales compared to last year. Whether those who buy the cars are communists , capitalists or even aliens i really don't care.

01-12-2007, 10:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
Harry Plopper Oinky Wizard Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,746 Thanks: 76 Thanked 902 Times in 466 Posts	BMW - Chinese millionaires' favorite luxury brand! BMW Emerges As China's Favourite Luxury Brand As Sales Boom German automaker BMW AG has emerged as China's favourite luxury brand as the premium car group said Friday its sales in the Asian powerhouse economy boomed. While BMW said its 2006 sales in China raced ahead by 51.3 per cent, a study on the nation's booming luxury goods market named the Munich-based premium cars as the most popular brand among China's burgeoning new rich. Drawn up by a company specializing in monitoring consumer tastes among wealthy Chinese, the so-called Hurun report showed BMW beating other leading luxury brand names such as French fashion group Louis Vuitton, watchmaker Rolex and BMW rival Mercedes Benz to the number spot among China's elite. The research, which was based on the responses of 604 Chinese entrepreneurs with a wealth of over one million dollars, was also a further sign of the rapidly changing lifestyles taking hold in the nation. Amid a boom in luxury car sales in China, BMW said that sales in the nation last year totalled 36,357 cars with sales rising by 35.4 per cent when Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau were included in the figures. China's new rich nominated Nokia as their favourite mobile phone but also enjoyed the fashion wear offered by Giorgio Armani, the Hurun study showed. IBM was ranked as the best laptop computer. The Hurun report showed that China's wealthy prefer to spend more time wine tasting than with their family. China's wealthy like to spend their spare time travelling, with Australia their favourite international destination followed by France and the United States. The Chinese resort island of Hainan was the most popular domestic destination for China's elite. BMW also said sales of its compact Mini brand surged by a staggering 250 per cent to 1,057 vehicles in China last year. But as a sign of the rapidly growing demand for luxury cars in China, sales of Rolls Royce saloons, which are also part of the BMW car stable, soared by 60 per cent last year. © 2007 DPA http://www.playfuls.com/news_09_2069-BMW-Emerges-As-Chinas-Favourite-Luxury-Brand-As-Sales-Boom.html

01-12-2007, 11:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
Poverty Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 203 Thanks: 15 Thanked 32 Times in 20 Posts	Re: BMW - favorite luxury brand in China! A bit of a misleading article title there.

01-12-2007, 11:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
Imhotep Evil Devotee Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,889 Thanks: 248 Thanked 150 Times in 113 Posts	Re: BMW - favorite luxury brand in China! True. By sales Audi is no.1 by quite a margin.

01-12-2007, 11:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
Yannis Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 7,198 My Mood: Thanks: 1,243 Thanked 1,229 Times in 701 Posts	Re: BMW - favorite luxury brand in China! Newly nich Chinese prefer BMW as i understand from the article. This older article that was posted in the forum not long ago confirms that: "Mercedes is also known as the car to ride in. China's established wealthy are still more inclined to ride than drive," Asher said. In contrast, BMW's brand image in China has been downgraded a little by the fact that many of its customers are nouveau riche. - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

01-12-2007, 12:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
Harry Plopper Oinky Wizard Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,746 Thanks: 76 Thanked 902 Times in 466 Posts	Re: BMW - favorite luxury brand in China! Indeed. While Audi capitalizing on being an official supplier to Chinese communist regime, BMW cars are more preferred by Chinese nouveau riche - the emerging class in China. As you can see 604 magnates have declared BMW as their favourite luxury brand - not just among automotive brands, but in general. Btw, saying that BMW image downgraded due their customers being mainly nouveau riche is a bit ignorant & stupid. In whose eyes has been BMW image downgraded? In the eyes of people who can't afford BMW? Not relevant! In the eyes Chinese non-existing aristocracy? Not possible since it is non-existent! In the eyes of communist regime? That can boost BMW image even more. Nuoveau riche are the biggest customers of luxury goods in the developing countries. Who else would it be? There is no aristocracy, or rich families with an old pedigree in those countries. Definitely not in Mainland China - but very much likely in Hong Kong especially (and also Taiwan in lesser extent). PS: yes, BMW still lags behind Audi very much in sales. And it looks like Audi will boost the sales even more - and increase the gap. But ... It can be very dangerous for Audi in the long run to be tagged as the "official car of the regime"!

01-12-2007, 01:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
Choleric Justice Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Great Plains Posts: 3,404 My Mood: Thanks: 564 Thanked 1,130 Times in 613 Posts	Re: BMW - favorite luxury brand in China! Ok fair enough, I never doubted that they did. Just IMO I think it will have a very small if any impact on their image. So I agree to disagree. Last edited by Choleric; 01-12-2007 at 11:01 PM.

01-12-2007, 10:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
Yannis Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 7,198 My Mood: Thanks: 1,243 Thanked 1,229 Times in 701 Posts	Re: BMW - favorite luxury brand in China! Audi is doing great in China with 30% rise in sales compared to last year. Whether those who buy the cars are communists , capitalists or even aliens i really don't care.

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