Here's a press conference we're glad we missed. I mean, check out those faces, could there be any good news coming from this little gathering?
The executives were in attendance to announce that BMW would be pulling out of Formula One at the end of this season. Seems at though it's a bit expensive building the world's most technologically advanced racecars. Instead, BMW will refocus it's resources on way cooler stuff like sustainability.
"Of course, this was a difficult decision for us. But it's a resolute step in view of our company's strategic realignment," said Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. "Premium will increasingly be defined in terms of sustainability and environmental compatibility. This is an area in which we want to remain in the lead. In line with our Strategy Number ONE, we are continually reviewing all projects and initiatives to check them for future viability and sustainability. Our Formula One campaign is thus less a key promoter for us."
Even if you're not into Forumla One, you have to admit that it's a sad day when a company like BMW makes a change like this.
blueguydotcom says:
08:37 AM, 07/29/09
Big shrug.
redliner says:
09:15 AM, 07/29/09
They spelled "press conference" wrong.
starbird says:
09:37 AM, 07/29/09
It's more to do with three things: they haven't done well in the championship, and F1 isn't going to have a race in the US or Germany their two largest markets over the next couple of years.
dbostondriver says:
10:04 AM, 07/29/09
So they are concentrating on hatchbacks and miniature SUV's instead?
You heard it here first, BMW is going to drop off in the next couple years. Sit in a 3Series and then sit in an Accord; the Accord is much nicer.
greenpony says:
10:25 AM, 07/29/09
Don't you love saying german words and names? Pressekonferenz. Reithofer. Schöberl.
subytrojan says:
11:59 AM, 07/29/09
BMW is pulling out of F1 to build crap like the 5 Series GT and 3 Series GT and keep the E87 1er hatchback from us.
Not WTH...WTF, BMW?! :(
incady says:
12:22 PM, 07/29/09
@dbostondriver - I wouldn't buy a BMW b/c it's nicer - I'd buy it b/c the handling is sharper.
kingisback350 says:
01:56 PM, 07/29/09
dbostondriver you may need to rethink what you just said... BMW's are one of the best performance and luxury cars in the world. Any sane person knows an Accord is not much nicer than a 3 series
bbechtel16 says:
02:08 PM, 07/29/09
Say it ain't so!
hondacura4 says:
03:32 PM, 07/29/09
Following Honda?
audipilot says:
05:32 PM, 07/29/09
This is a shame, I will definitley be sad to see BMW go next season. I was really hoping for big things from them this season, and apparently that didn't turn out to be the case.
julianb says:
06:01 PM, 07/29/09
I like BMW, however they’re not in any environmental compatibility lead….Maybe they should’ve said, “This is an area in which we want to try to keep up.”
iwatchf1 says:
08:27 PM, 07/29/09
I wander who is going to buy the team and what Heidfeld with Kubica are going to do? Last year was Honda, this year is BMW's turn. Who will be next?
rsuryase says:
10:08 PM, 07/29/09
Ferrari? Mclaren?
cb_racer says:
12:33 PM, 07/30/09
I think they should stop calling their cars "The ultimate driving machine". This is a shame, this show they don't give a !@#$ to the sport.
If this is the mentality, goodbye. Leave the sport to people who genuinely love it, and take the opportunity to develop cutting edge technology to the motoring world.
I think Ford should buy the team. That would be nice. They once taught Ferrari a lesson with the GT40, now they could do the same with BMW.