[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW Launches Bespoke Car Customization Program

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BMW launches Individual Consultation Program with BMW Group DesignworksUSA.

New program allows clients to customize their vehicle with BMW designers to express their individual character.

Woodcliff Lake, NJ / Carmel, CA - August 15, 2013 . . . BMW announced today the BMW Individual DesignworksUSA Consultation Program, a new program where clients work directly with a BMW Group DesignworksUSA designer to commission their very own BMW. This unique designer consultation program is the first of its kind in the U.S.

Particularly discerning customers can now work together with a BMW Group DesignworksUSA designer for suggestions and advice on color and trim creation.

The new program officially launches at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance event in California where clients visiting the BMW Villa will have the opportunity to meet with lead designer Sandy McGill for consultation on a unique BMW design. She will review with them the extraordinary options in leather, interior trim and paintwork.

McGill is based at BMW Group DesignworksUSA in California and has more than 20 years of experience in the field of design.

“At DesignworksUSA, we have a deep understanding of colors and materials because we travel the world studying design trends for BMW Group vehicles as well as for our outside clients,” said Sandy McGill; Lead Color, Material and Finish Designer; BMW Group DesignworksUSA. “Just as people have interior designers for their homes and tailors for their clothes, we are the personal designers for their vehicles. We help clients express their personal identity through their vehicle.”

Clients who cannot attend the event at Pebble Beach can meet Sandy McGill and the BMW design team at BMW Group DesignworksUSA studio in Southern California or via phone for consultation. During the consultation sessions, clients are provided with image concepts as well as color, leather and trim samples they can touch and feel.

In order to take advantage of this unique and exclusive program, clients can contact BMW Group DesignworksUSA or their BMW Center.

The BMW Individual program is available on the 5 Series Sedan, 6 Series, 7 Series and the X6 as well as the M versions of these models. It allows clients to choose from packages or a-la-carte by offering a wide variety of brilliant paint finishes, high quality leathers, sophisticated trims, headliners and equipment to choose from. Every detail is the result of top-class workmanship to make choices truly unique.

BMW Group DesignworksUSA represents the perfect platform for creating a customized BMW Individual vehicle as it provides access to professional designers that work hand-in-hand with clients throughout the commissioning processes.

[bplewis24]

I'm guessing they'd try and eventually incorporate 3/4 series M-models at some point?

[Qunadry]

How about a program where a customer could custom order things like wheels, non-run flat tires, short shift kits, spare tires and jacks etc. on factory orders? This has more appeal to me than colors and interior materials

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

Originally Posted by Qunadry

How about a program where a customer could custom order things like wheels, non-run flat tires, short shift kits, spare tires and jacks etc. on factory orders? This has more appeal to me than colors and interior materials

I work for BMW... and I pray they never do this.

[Arben72]

Originally Posted by Qunadry

How about a program where a customer could custom order things like wheels, non-run flat tires, short shift kits, spare tires and jacks etc. on factory orders? This has more appeal to me than colors and interior materials

It's called BMW m performance parts, nothing amazing but they have some performance items.

[arobase]

Originally Posted by bplewis24

I'm guessing they'd try and eventually incorporate 3/4 series M-models at some point?

I hope they expand it to M models as well. Would take advantage of it when I order a M 4 for ED in 2015

[btbossman]

Cool.

[Qunadry]

Originally Posted by Arben72

It's called BMW m performance parts, nothing amazing but they have some performance items.

I was able to have a short shift kit installed on my former 2009 135i, but it was not an option on my 2012 135i. I still want to be able to factory order a car with regular tires and a spare tire/jack. I understand this not being an option on cars ordered by dealers for stock, but if BMW can make colors and interior materials an option, why not tires etc. for an upcharge?

[Gjm127]

M4 with an S65 V8 engine? Who's IINNN?? (I know this is only for color and/trim...) who really cares? I mean, we can just about get anything we want on-order these days, can't we?

[Diver]

BMW has been going in the direction of having more customer ordered cars and fewer sold out of dealer stock for a while now.

[desertfox73]

Originally Posted by bplewis24

I'm guessing they'd try and eventually incorporate 3/4 series M-models at some point?

The Individual Program is already available on M models, so I assume the next generation M3 will continue to be part of this program, and the M4 will be added.

[desertfox73]

Originally Posted by Diver

BMW has been going in the direction of having more customer ordered cars and fewer sold out of dealer stock for a while now.

I like the idea, personally.

[InTheNightKitchen]

Originally Posted by PaulBailey@ltbmw

I work for BMW... and I pray they never do this.

Why?

[Desert_Fox]

Originally Posted by PaulBailey@ltbmw

I work for BMW... and I pray they never do this.

LOL, because you'd have to put in an extra 2 minutes for each custom order? Most people don't even bother ordering their cars, they just pick one off the lot. So if someone wants more customizing why not? I thought this was the car selling business, and for this segment more options available can steal customers away from other brands.

[GOLFFRR]

I saw the little display of leather samples at the Villa this past weekend and it was really cool. I can't wait to see some of the crazy set ups!

[sparkyg]

So far it's for the 5 Series up and the Ms too but I bet the M5/M6 only.

It's kinda cool, I ordered a semi Individual car in Canada 5 years ago. Problem is it didn't include the leather.

Expect this to cost big $$$ so add $20k onto your car.

And resale will still be no better. :

[Frenk]

they are doing the same they do with RR

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Gjm127

M4 with an S65 V8 engine? Who's IINNN?? (I know this is only for color and/trim...) who really cares? I mean, we can just about get anything we want on-order these days, can't we?

Would you be willing to pay about $2,000,000 for that car? Because that's what it would cost to certify it.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by Desert_Fox

LOL, because you'd have to put in an extra 2 minutes for each custom order? Most people don't even bother ordering their cars, they just pick one off the lot. So if someone wants more customizing why not? I thought this was the car selling business, and for this segment more options available can steal customers away from other brands.

Because people always think they know better, but don't.

I work for a company that sells a product for which we have an EXTENSIVE catalog of options. Hundreds. And yet, some people insist on asking for "custom" options. Often times those options are decent. Sometimes they are actually really good. Often they are no good at all, and the people are upset that their "dream" didn't turn out like they expected.

Also, people have no idea how much it cost to customize something that's made in a production environment. The cost is usually far more than if the end user had it done on their own time and with a third party vendor. Then you hear the "you're gouging me" accusations, when in reality we make far less of these types of options, even though they are expensive, than we do on standard pre-programmed options.

[hyperboost]

most people would be so lost with all those options presented to them.

[Crusader]

Maybe BMW as well? I find the limitations imposed by the current variations colors and trim bothersome. I couldn't even get my e92 in the color I wanted. If they make it ... be it paint, leather, trim, wheels, trim, etc ... Why not make it available?

[RoboM]

Do you think she drive BMW?