[RobUK]

Indeed, could be a publican/hotelier trying to stock up or could be someone trying to cash in on the shortages.

Amazon are supposed to be cracking down on price-gouging of COVID-19 related products although I'm not sure they're doing very well as their pages are full of stuff at ridiculous prices. Incidentally you can report sellers who are taking the p*ss using the 'Report icorrect product information' link on each item's page, e.g. the guy trying to sell 6 x 750ml bottles of Dettol disinfectant for £200!

[RobUK]

Just occured to me... if BMW want to sell their cars at list price all they have to do is re-badge them!

The M340i Anti-Bac edition


PS - I know Covid-19 isn't a bacteria, but most of the general public won't know the difference

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by RobUK

Just occured to me... if BMW want to sell their cars at list price all they have to do is re-badge them!

The [SIZE="4"]M340i Anti-Bac[/SIZE] edition


PS - I know Covid-19 isn't a bacteria, but most of the general public won't know the difference

It might take a bit more than that, methinks. They clearly aren't hitting their targets right now. I've had four phone calls in three days from BMW dealers, never happened before. Noticeably more persistent than usual too. I couldn't be less interested, tbh.

[RustyBitz]

Originally Posted by JD6

More likely someone trying to flog it on Amazon or ebay

Here is a generous chap offering 12 for £100 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carex-Profe...384&sr=8-1

EDIT - seems to have been removed or bought!

eBay is just as bad. Horrible bastards.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by RobUK

Just occured to me... if BMW want to sell their cars at list price all they have to do is re-badge them!

The [SIZE="4"]M340i Anti-Bac[/SIZE] edition


PS - I know Covid-19 isn't a bacteria, but most of the general public won't know the difference

There will be some really smug Tesla drivers out and about currently with 'Bio mode' engaged!

[JD6]

Originally Posted by JustChris

There will be some really smug Tesla drivers out and about currently with 'Bio mode' engaged!

Is there any other kind of Tesla driver?

[Broncho]

Survival pack

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Survival-...YAAOSwGfVeaOp8

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Broncho

Survival pack

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Survival-...YAAOSwGfVeaOp8

😂

[Panchoa]

Originally Posted by TodmordenLad

It might take a bit more than that, methinks. They clearly aren't hitting their targets right now. I've had four phone calls in three days from BMW dealers, never happened before. Noticeably more persistent than usual too. I couldn't be less interested, tbh.

If this pandemic gets worse, which looks highly likely I think dealers will get desperate fairly soon as people already aren’t spending money on simple things like going out, so cars will take a hammering. Hold on for a few months to see what deals come up!!

Stock market took a shit today too.....financial crisis looming me thinks!!!

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by Panchoa

Stock market took a shit today too.....!!!

An interesting way to describe it

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by Goneinsixtyseconds

An interesting way to describe it

More like amoebic dysentery, of the chronic variety

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Panchoa

If this pandemic gets worse, which looks highly likely I think dealers will get desperate fairly soon as people already aren’t spending money on simple things like going out, so cars will take a hammering. Hold on for a few months to see what deals come up!!

Stock market took a shit today too.....financial crisis looming me thinks!!!

I think they will be so far from target and conditions so unusual that they may move to margin protection and reduce deals - the economic consequences of the virus will be tough and cars will be way down the priorities....

[Tengocity]

I had a spare couple of hours today so took a trip to Costco. We go there regularly, so wouldn't say it was out and out stockpiling, but I did think about what I might want to have a bit extra of, and bought some frozen veg and meat in case fresh supply chains get interrupted in coming weeks.
And as I'll be WFH now for foreseeable future we will just need more food at home anyway.

It was definitely busier than normal, and there were folk going silly with some stuff.

[Broncho]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I had a spare couple of hours today so took a trip to Costco. We go there regularly, so wouldn't say it was out and out stockpiling, but I did think about what I might want to have a bit extra of, and bought some frozen veg and meat in case fresh supply chains get interrupted in coming weeks.
And as I'll be WFH now for foreseeable future we will just need more food at home anyway.

It was definitely busier than normal, and there were folk going silly with some stuff.

Trolleys full of Pringle socks and Pierre Cardin jumpers.

[Goneinsixtyseconds]

Originally Posted by isleaiw1

I think they will be so far from target and conditions so unusual that they may move to margin protection and reduce deals - the economic consequences of the virus will be tough and cars will be way down the priorities....

In my opinion it won't work like that, unless they turn production down significantly. Almost build to order with no stock cars like Jaguar do/did.

If they keep building, they'll have no choice but to make sure they keep shifting them. And in my opinion, in tricky times, there's only one way to do it, make the offers too good to refuse.

I'm not sure VAG for example would take the route of low interest and massive discount. But BMW have a track record of keeping things flowing with that policy, can't see why it would change. Caveated with major production closures due to the virus.

[Broncho]

Originally Posted by Goneinsixtyseconds

In my opinion it won't work like that, unless they turn production down significantly. Almost build to order with no stock cars like Jaguar do/did.

If they keep building, they'll have no choice but to make sure they keep shifting them. And in my opinion, in tricky times, there's only one way to do it, make the offers too good to refuse.

I'm not sure VAG for example would take the route of low interest and massive discount. But BMW have a track record of keeping things flowing with that policy, can't see why it would change. Caveated with major production closures due to the virus.

I’ve been to MB Liverpool twice this week and going back next week, Jesus to they have some stock, there must be 200 - 250 cars there, a mix of new and late registered cars, loads written on the screen as sold but if it slows down then there could be trouble!

Amazing place though!

[Hooded]

Originally Posted by Broncho

Survival pack

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Survival-...YAAOSwGfVeaOp8

I’ve got my war chest sorted ...

[bimmer456]

I'm going to grow produce in my backyard.

[RobUK]

This could almost be considered pornographic these days...

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by Goneinsixtyseconds

In my opinion it won't work like that, unless they turn production down significantly. Almost build to order with no stock cars like Jaguar do/did.

If they keep building, they'll have no choice but to make sure they keep shifting them. And in my opinion, in tricky times, there's only one way to do it, make the offers too good to refuse.

I'm not sure VAG for example would take the route of low interest and massive discount. But BMW have a track record of keeping things flowing with that policy, can't see why it would change. Caveated with major production closures due to the virus.

3 comments:

1. your caveat is fairly important - JCB had to stop production because of a shortage of parts from China, its likely that major car plants will be similarly affected at some point.

2. My son in law works for one of the top 4 car retailers so I know what they are planning. I hear the name of their BMW outlets on here quite a lot too...

3. There is a policy that if you are having a bad year have a really bad year and reset the business where you need to. Some of the car manufacturers might use this as a chance to restructure their production levels, get the market used to lower outputs for a few years and ahead and push on with that as a strategy. Always good to hide changes in approach behind a crisis so mgt dont have to say they got it wrong....

We will all have to watch but there are chances it could go either way.

And of course with significant redundancies, unpaid leave etc on the back of Covid, sales market is going to be dire. So chase the few or take the better margin will be a straight choice...

[TouringPleb]

How soon we forget..

[Hooded]

Had to laugh at this