BMW 3 Series to Be Re-Badged as 4 Series
Brand equity can take decades to build up. It’s the sign of a business model that worked and has continued to work. So when you’ve got a name like the Big Mac you don’t just toss it aside. That is, unless you’re BMW. A new report suggests the German automaker will re-badge its 3 Series as the 4 Series.
Surely the folks from Bavaria haven’t lost all their German sensibilities you must be asking yourself? And you’d be right. The 3 Series sedan will in fact carry on badge. The coupe and convertible models will, however, become 4 Series models.
This fits with BMW’s 5 Series and 6 Series division, plus it apes similar badging strategies by Audi, with the A4/A5 and Mercedes-Benz with the C-Class/E-Class Coupe.
In addition, BMW will also adjust its numbering system for the 1 Series. As has been reported in the past, the hatchback models will retain the 1 Series badge (and will likely only be front-wheel drive), while the next-generation 1 Series coupe and convertible will instead be 2 Series versions.
A carefully thought out marketing strategy perhaps, but has BMW tossed out one good brand in the process? What about the M3?
[Source: CAR]
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With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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