1988 BMW 5 Series TV Commercial

This ad is slightly insulting to the Japanese culture. BMW is comparing the German car to the Lexus and Accura which were coming on strong in the late 80's. BMW and Mercedes were both losing market share. Get the comment at the end, "something is always lost in the translation". What's kind of funny is that this is an American TV ad and BMW is German, I guess Cadillac and Lincoln could say the same thing about the Germans.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• BMW
• Commercial
• Werbung
• 1988
• advert
• series

[gogobmwe30]

There are one kinds of car and that is only the German cars. The japanese love ot copy , the american car ... well only american's like them :D

[OsbornTramain]

@gogobmwe30 Agreed. But as an American and defending the cars, we have massive space and long big highway systems. We don't need tight handling cars like other nations do, particularly in Europe. Parking is not and issue and bends and curves in the road aren't either.

[dunti21]

@OsbornTramain Highways aren't the only roads Americans have... Germany also has some long and wide highways, but their cars are built for all situations...

[OsbornTramain]

@dunti21 True, Germany has Autobahns, I've been on them but as a percentage of all /roads in Germany, I would believe we have long highways and further distances to travel then our German counterparts. This it's about the difference in style of their luxury cars. I'm merely trying to explain the cultural difference between American Luxury ride and German Luxury ride. Detriot wouldnt make them if people didn't want them. If that's not a reason, then why does the difference Exist?  thoughts?

[dunti21]

@OsbornTramain America's concept seems to be "quantity better than quality".. This works for the food industry too. Here, quantity translates to size. America's idea of a luxury car is a big car, even if it is plasticy inside. Also, Americans are very patriotic, and prefer to by their own produce and regard it as the best.

[OsbornTramain]

@dunti21 Yeah, I'm not sure that anything you say is correct. The demensions of a Lincoln or Caddy has been for 20 years the same as a BMW or MB.. I think Americans can appreciate that a MB or BMW is a fine luxury car. I don't think of Cadillac's or Lincoln's as plasticy in their interiors, maybe Chevys Buicks & Dodges but not Caddy? I worked for Chrysler and have worked for Mercedes, BMW and Chevy so I've been around and driven all these cars. Year after Year, foriegn market share goes up.

[sleeevy]

This isn't insulting to Japanese culture. The point is, the Japanese brands were gunning straight for the Germans, trying to be the perfect imitation at a value price. Thats was no secret. In the process of doing so however, the certain unique elements of driving a BMW were not carried over, keeping the two experiences exclusive from one another. Thats all the commercials trying to pitch. The German premium marks don't copy the American ones, don't draw that conclusion through self-analysis.

[KreuzbergPlayaz]

@OsbornTramain your political correctness sucks

[TheJosapappa1000]

my dreamcar... i wishd id had some day 520 1988 black. 520 1989 white. 520 1990 red. 520 1991 blue. 520 1992 red. 520 1993 green. 520 1994 white

[josaldinho5000]

one of my dreamcars

[davil005]

Best and only Japanese car I would by is the latest GTR and thats only because its fast and I'd have some fun but when it comes down to it I know i'd buy a German.

At moment I have BMW and I love it better then any car i've driven or go in regularly :)

[250GTLUSSO]

Having worked to Lexus and BMW alike I can come to this conclusion. Japanese cars are great, reliable, well built and retain excellent risidual value. They do, however, lack soul and an identity (design wise) that europeans seem to have mastered long ago. Driving a Lexus is great but the cars lack feel and excitement. You drive a BMW and you feel involved in the driving experience. In my professional opinion German cars are the best in the world.