Going to Spartanburg Friday. Any questions?

enlightenment · 10-07-2008, 03:35 PM

I'm going to the BMW factory in Spartanburg on Friday with the Operations Club in my MBA program.

Can you guys think of any good business related questions to ask that won't make me look like an idiot?

Deda · 10-07-2008, 04:09 PM

ha ha...i see your point..take a good pics and please share on forum.

vicj · 10-07-2008, 04:38 PM

Ask them what they want for the old M6 in the Zentrum. I want to buy it!

enlightenment · 10-07-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deda

ha ha...i see your point..take a good pics and please share on forum.

No cameras (or even cellphones) are allowed. I'll follow up on the trip.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicj,

Ask them what they want for the old M6 in the Zentrum. I want to buy it!

...questions that will not make me look like an idiot.

runnerx · 10-07-2008, 05:23 PM

questions??? um... yeah... can you take me too?

Dammmittt · 10-07-2008, 05:39 PM

How many Z4MRs were built?
How many Z4MCs were built?

What's the distribution per country for the Z4M sales?
How many Z4Ms are at dealers and haven't sold?
Where are they at?
Why do you think they haven't sold?

Will the plant produce anything other than X vehicles in the future?

That's about all I got.

nmulax · 10-07-2008, 05:47 PM

If the majority of suppliers are located overseas, what are the advantages of assembling the 3 series in the US?

caseysc · 10-07-2008, 06:12 PM

Is BMW re-thinking their decision to produce SUVs only in the US?

BimmerZ408 · 10-07-2008, 06:54 PM

I have a question you could ask, but since it's not a very nice question - I guess just go have a good time while you're there.

enlightenment · 10-07-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmulax

If the majority of suppliers are located overseas, what are the advantages of assembling the 3 series in the US?

The exchange rate makes it cheaper to assemble the cars out here. BMW learned from the Japanese on that one, however the 3 series is not assembled in the US. Spartanburg produces the X5, X6, and used to produce the whole Z4 line. There are a lot of parts sourced directly from the US.

nmulax · 10-07-2008, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enlightenment

The exchange rate makes it cheaper to assemble the cars out here. BMW learned from the Japanese on that one, however the 3 series is not assembled in the US. Spartanburg produces the X5, X6, and used to produce the whole Z4 line. There are a lot of parts sourced directly from the US.

I know the 3 isn't currently produced here - but the rumor mill has been going for sometime about some production shifting over here.

Incompatible · 10-07-2008, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dammmittt

How many Z4MRs were built?
How many Z4MCs were built?

What's the distribution per country for the Z4M sales?
How many Z4Ms are at dealers and haven't sold?
Where are they at?
Why do you think they haven't sold?....

Now come on Dammmittt, play nice and include us non M cars in your request for production numbers. After all we're one big happy family........

ianbiz · 10-07-2008, 11:42 PM

Ask them to stop making new models.

GeorgeT · 10-08-2008, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dammmittt

How many Z4MRs were built?
How many Z4MCs were built?

How many Z4Ms are at dealers and haven't sold?
Where are they at?
Why do you think they haven't sold?

That's about all I got.

The Greer (Spartanburg) factory does not manufacture any vehicle unless there is an order for it. They do not build for "inventory". The plant is part of BMW Manufacturing and not part of BMWNA so they haven't a clue as to what hasn't sold or why it hasn't sold.

jarrow · 10-08-2008, 08:06 AM

Ask them to explain the marketing position on why they will not sell the 1 series hatchback (3 door or 5 door, any engine) in the US.

Dammmittt · 10-08-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incompatible

Now come on Dammmittt, play nice and include us non M cars in your request for production numbers. After all we're one big happy family........

You ask your questions, I'll ask mine

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeT

The Greer (Spartanburg) factory does not manufacture any vehicle unless there is an order for it. They do not build for "inventory". The plant is part of BMW Manufacturing and not part of BMWNA so they haven't a clue as to what hasn't sold or why it hasn't sold.

He said business related questions, sales are business related. I'm sure someone there has a clue about sales...

jamboMR · 10-08-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dammmittt

You ask your questions, I'll ask mine

i liked your questions

vicj · 10-08-2008, 12:13 PM

...questions that will not make me look like an idiot.[/QUOTE]

Well...if your going to be picky about it, nevermind!

rabman5 · 10-08-2008, 08:35 PM

The Spartanburg plant in VERY environmentally friendly. I'm sure they;ll point out some of the things they do for your group. I'd be interested to know what if any financial impact "being green" has on producing vehicles. Especially if it's cheaper or more expensive.

KevinC · 10-08-2008, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmulax

If the majority of suppliers are located overseas, what are the advantages of assembling the 3 series in the US?

The US/Canada parts content on the Z4 was 30%, not sure what it is on the X5. More comes from Mexico, no idea how much. Mostly the drivetrain is German.. you can download a .pdf listing of all the suppliers to Spartanburg from their site, and you'll see plenty of familiar European supplier names who have established local factories to supply Spartanburg with (the location of the suppliers is listed along with their names). If the 3-series were to be built here, no doubt more of this would happen and it would wind up with a high amount of domestic content.

To the OP - how about asking them if they regret their decision to dedicate the plant to SUV (errrr, SAV in BMW speak) production exclusively? Would they make the same decision today, considering the shift in demand towards cars and away from SUV/SAV's?

enlightenment · 10-08-2008, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

...how about asking them if they regret their decision to dedicate the plant to SUV (errrr, SAV in BMW speak) production exclusively? Would they make the same decision today, considering the shift in demand towards cars and away from SUV/SAV's?

Now that is a good question. Thank you.

Dammmittt · 10-09-2008, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

To the OP - how about asking them if they regret their decision to dedicate the plant to SUV (errrr, SAV in BMW speak) production exclusively? Would they make the same decision today, considering the shift in demand towards cars and away from SUV/SAV's?

Interesting question, but I doubt it was the plant's decision.

10-07-2008, 03:35 PM	#1
enlightenment Private First Class 5 Rep 140 Posts Drives: Z4 ///M Coupe AW/IR Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Calabasas, CA iTrader: (1)	Going to Spartanburg Friday. Any questions? I'm going to the BMW factory in Spartanburg on Friday with the Operations Club in my MBA program. Can you guys think of any good business related questions to ask that won't make me look like an idiot?
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10-07-2008, 04:09 PM	#2
Deda Major General 564 Rep 7,034 Posts Drives: BMW M5 comp Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Croatia iTrader: (0)	ha ha...i see your point..take a good pics and please share on forum.
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10-07-2008, 04:38 PM	#3
vicj First Lieutenant 10 Rep 316 Posts Drives: '06 M Roadster; 2010 Mini Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Ask them what they want for the old M6 in the Zentrum. I want to buy it!
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10-07-2008, 05:23 PM	#5
runnerx Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 266 Posts Drives: 06 M roadster; 06 330i 6spd Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bay Area, California iTrader: (0)	questions??? um... yeah... can you take me too? __________________ 2009 BMW X5 4.8i 2006 BMW ///M Roadster 6spd manual 2006 BMW 330i 6spd manual - gone
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10-07-2008, 05:39 PM	#6
Dammmittt My favorite sign. 169 Rep 4,333 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Der Autobahnen iTrader: (0)	How many Z4MRs were built? How many Z4MCs were built? What's the distribution per country for the Z4M sales? How many Z4Ms are at dealers and haven't sold? Where are they at? Why do you think they haven't sold? Will the plant produce anything other than X vehicles in the future? That's about all I got. __________________ 07 ///M Coupe (Premium Package) Black Saphire Ext. Imola Red Int. Best Website EVER!
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10-07-2008, 05:47 PM	#7
nmulax Brigadier General 379 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	If the majority of suppliers are located overseas, what are the advantages of assembling the 3 series in the US? __________________
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10-07-2008, 06:12 PM	#8
caseysc Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 274 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Conv. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Aiken, SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 Z4 2.5i [8.00]	Is BMW re-thinking their decision to produce SUVs only in the US?
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10-07-2008, 06:54 PM	#9
BimmerZ408 First Lieutenant 11 Rep 385 Posts Drives: 08 Z4 Join Date: May 2008 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	I have a question you could ask, but since it's not a very nice question - I guess just go have a good time while you're there.
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10-07-2008, 11:42 PM	#13
ianbiz Back in a BMW 205 Rep 5,208 Posts Drives: 2015 335i Msport Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (8)	Ask them to stop making new models. __________________ Ian
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10-08-2008, 08:06 AM	#15
jarrow Private First Class 6 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 2004 Z4 3.0i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Webster, NY iTrader: (5) Garage List 2004 z4 3.0i [2.00]	Ask them to explain the marketing position on why they will not sell the 1 series hatchback (3 door or 5 door, any engine) in the US.
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10-08-2008, 12:13 PM	#18
vicj First Lieutenant 10 Rep 316 Posts Drives: '06 M Roadster; 2010 Mini Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	...questions that will not make me look like an idiot.[/QUOTE] Well...if your going to be picky about it, nevermind!
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10-08-2008, 08:35 PM	#19
rabman5 Captain 113 Rep 686 Posts Drives: none Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2015 BMW M4 [0.00]	The Spartanburg plant in VERY environmentally friendly. I'm sure they;ll point out some of the things they do for your group. I'd be interested to know what if any financial impact "being green" has on producing vehicles. Especially if it's cheaper or more expensive.
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