[ST] New BMW policy

["Jeff Viehmeyer" <jviehmeyer@xxxxxxxx>]

BMW is by no means alone in their requirement for a separate showroom for
the bikes. This policy of separate showrooms has been quietly in effect for
some car brands for years, and seems to be spreading. Under its Project 2000
reorganization plan, GM is now making its dealers remove competing brands
from GM showrooms. Land Rover, Lexus, Harley Davidson/Buell, and a few
others have the same requirement.

The idea is that it lets the dealer focus on having a better selection of
the brand, and a focused buying experience for the customer. I know some of
the BMW bike dealers used to only keep a few bikes on hand in the corner,
while filling the showroom with less expensive Japanese brands. Mfrs. don't
like that. Plus, many mfrs are making big money from the accessories and
apparel. Last year, H-D made more profit from their apparel division than
the bikes! So any dealer that sells BMW and other bikes from the same
facility now has to change that. If they can't open a different showroom,
they may well drop/sell the other franchise. Interestingly, they do allow
the BMW cars & bikes to be sold out of the same facility.

Maybe this helps clear up a little of the mystery...

Jeff V
Alameda
'01 Sprint


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