BMW Scooter Sales Up
- Thread starter SteveADV
- Start date
JaimeC
New member
Very cool. Sounds like they'll be around for awhile. And if they're successful, maybe the maker of that other uber-cool Maxi scooter will bring their baby back to this country.
Odd how the TMAX didn't sell, yet Honda has been able to justify keeping the SilverWing in their dealerships for over a decade with little change at all. Suzuki just overhauled the Burgman for 2013 too. Marketing problem? When I was in Europe, of all the BIG scooters, there were more TMAXes than any other brand on the road... from the early steel-framed ones all the way up to the newest belt-driven model.
Odd how the TMAX didn't sell, yet Honda has been able to justify keeping the SilverWing in their dealerships for over a decade with little change at all. Suzuki just overhauled the Burgman for 2013 too. Marketing problem? When I was in Europe, of all the BIG scooters, there were more TMAXes than any other brand on the road... from the early steel-framed ones all the way up to the newest belt-driven model.
Oldscoot
New member
Like JaimeC, when I was in Europe this last Spring I saw more TMaxes than other maxi scooters. In the U.S. I have to believe that the BMW brand itself sells these scooters. The same dealer who couldn't give away a TMax has sold every C model it has received. I never get the same quizzical looks and responses that I used to get on my Burgman 650 or Kymco 500. People just accept the bike. Even more interesting that are shocked at how inexpensive it is! given BMW sales I believe the bike will be around for awhile.
Edumakated
New member
I think they could sell more with some aggressive marketing. I get all kinds of questions and stares about my c600 riding around downtown Chicago. The BMW brand really gets people's attention and the great looks. My co-worker rides a Fly 150 and we park next to each other every day. It died on him Monday. Just this morning he purchased a silver c600 after seeing mine for the past couple of weeks.
I don't think Yamaha marketed the T-max well. I probably would have bought one a couple of years ago had I known about it. Motorcycle companies seem to market to current riders, not realizing there is a whole market of people out there who don't currently ride but would consider buying a well designed maxi-scoot. I bought mine specifically for commuting because I got tired of paying $100/mo a week in gas to fill up my SUV. Thought I wanted a Vespa 300 which I had for a few months, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for and decided to upgrade to the c600. Couldn't be happier.
I don't think Yamaha marketed the T-max well. I probably would have bought one a couple of years ago had I known about it. Motorcycle companies seem to market to current riders, not realizing there is a whole market of people out there who don't currently ride but would consider buying a well designed maxi-scoot. I bought mine specifically for commuting because I got tired of paying $100/mo a week in gas to fill up my SUV. Thought I wanted a Vespa 300 which I had for a few months, but it wasn't quite what I was looking for and decided to upgrade to the c600. Couldn't be happier.
Skutorr
Active member
It's a difference in perceived market, I think. BMW and Yamaha Europe have their acts together and KNOW their target market. Here in the U.S., BMW assumes a sophisticated, DISCERNING clientele...Yamaha markets to 20-something testosterone idiots.
Note the GLARING difference in the product roll-out videos for the Tmax, the FIRST in Europe and the SECOND here...
Europe:
Superbike Yamaha Scooter TMAX500 2008 Commercial - YouTube
US:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOhZvUWzTQM
Note the GLARING difference in the product roll-out videos for the Tmax, the FIRST in Europe and the SECOND here...
Europe:
Superbike Yamaha Scooter TMAX500 2008 Commercial - YouTube
US:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOhZvUWzTQM
Skutorr
Active member
I went to that Oct sales report; BMW Scooters accounted for just a tad over 5% of sales; GS 1200 was about a THIRD. If you were BMW, which sales segment would you put your promotional $$$ and effort into to maintain/increase market share??? The GS line has always been a MONSTER for them...
SCOOTERHELP
New member
The $1000 rebate on the C600 probably helped spur sales.
Xian Forbes
New member
that US market Yamaha video starts with a scooter support group and with the supersport champ claiming to be embarrassed that he rides a scoot. Wow, now that's some silly marketing choices when viewed back to back with the euro spec video. Why on earth would any marketing firm start a 2 min product video stating that their sector of the market sucks and the owners should hide in shame behind a support group?