28 replies to this topic

[Tamworthbay]

is it bad that i like the look of the BMW on the left?

Simple answer - YES

[AVV IT]

Sorry am I missing the BMW/MINI sense of humour here or something? But how exactly is this supposed to work as an April Fools prank?

It seems to me that they have faked two perfectly marketable, niche products, that would probably appeal to a significant part of the the trendy Bini market and that would actually potentially make reasonable sales. Particularly at a time when the UK camping & caravanning market is booming, due to the state of the economy, the cost of overseas/european travel and poor exchange rates against the euro.

So surely to come up with this concept as an April fools prank, only serves to prove that BMW/MINI are actually the fools, for not seeing that their prank concept could potentially be a good & marketable idea if it were actually made into a reality??

or maybe I have just completely missed the point here!!

[jb93]

But how exactly is this supposed to work as an April Fools prank?

Just what I was thinking...

[Richey]

Who remembers this?

http://www.roblightb...mini_letter.jpg

[mab01uk]

But how exactly is this supposed to work as an April Fools prank?

Just what I was thinking...

From BMW's website:

Can you tell me more about the April Fool's adverts?
Each year WCRS (BMW's advertising agency) produces a tactical April Fool's day advert which appears in the broadsheet press on April 1st only.
The April Fool's day concepts are designed to teeter on the verge of credibility, therefore taking in scores of slightly less vigilant readers. The concepts tend to focus on a new and revolutionary piece of technology from BMW, yet push the idea just beyond the plausible.
The tongue-in-cheek adverts take exactly the same format as all non-spoof BMW adverts, hence it is down to the reader to notice the difference between the plausible and the
non-plausible.
April Fool's day adverts have become a BMW tradition primarily aimed at BMW drivers as a once-a-year opportunity for them to drop their guard and have a laugh at themselves. They have all the wit generic to many of BMW's brand adverts and allow the intelligent owner to feel part of the BMW tradition.
The ideas in the past have covered a range of themes and ideas to test the credulous and humour the knowing:

• The new in-cabin Klimatabeiter Climate Control System (KCCS), which - supposedly - can recreate any of the world's 23 registered climates inside your BMW and comes as standard in BMW 7 Series models.
• The 'Toot and Calm Horn' (T.C.H.) system, which creates a noise that manages to calm, rather than aggravate the other driver so reducing the risk of road rage.
• Other ideas have included remote control gadgets worthy of James Bond, with windscreen wipers on the esteemed BMW badge and insect-repellent windscreens!

Some examples of April Fool's day adverts:

• Click here to view 'BMW ensures the cameras always lies' (2000)
• Click here to view 'SHEF Technology' (2001)
• Click here to view 'Marque Wiper' (2002)
• Click here to view 'Tyre Pressure' (2003)
• Click here to view 'No Flies' (2004)
• Click here to view 'Midnight in the City' (2005)
• Click here to view 'BMW uninvents the wheel' (2006)
• Click here to view 'BMW Instant Messaging' (2007)
• Click here to view 'Canine Repellent Alloy Protection' (2008)
• Click here to view 'Magnetic Tow Technology' (2009)
• Click here to view 'Election badges' (2010)

http://www.bmweducat...ew.asp?docID=49

USA MINI Press Release from April 1st 2003:
REMOTE CONTROL STEERING AVAILABLE ON MINI
MINI is well known for packaging high- technology into a small space and its latest innovation, MINI Remote Steering ™, takes ease of ownership to new levels. With MINI Remote Steering ™, MINI has produced the world's first commercially-available full-sized remote control car. Based on the proven 'Tamiyah-hah' model racing technology, the new system allows MINI owners to remotely operate their cars up to a distance of 150 feet. Now, avoiding the rain is simple. Thanks to Remote Steering, MINI comes right to your door.

This system provides a number of benefits. For example, it allows owners to arrive at their favorite restaurant, be seated at their table and then remotely park their car in the street outside. Furthermore, an apartment dweller in Manhattan can remotely bring their car up from the basement garage and position it on the street, ready to go.

Opposition to the new system has been voiced however. Valet Parker's union president 'Scratch' N'Dentem said; 'Hey, we loved driving this thing and now it looks like we're out of a job...whaddya gonna do? ' he opined. MINI Remote Steering tm, is now also likely to give street racing a whole new perspective as tuners abandon their hot rods in favor of playing with their hand-held.

MINI spokesperson, Donna Fallforit said 'Clearly this once again highlights MINI as a high technology product. We have thoroughly trialed this new system and apart from the occasional interference with light aircraft and TV remotes, we are happy with it. Pricing is not set, but we think it'll be a winner, especially on a day like today."

[AVV IT]

^^^Nope I'm still none the wiser!!

.... I really fail to see how this years prank merely "teeters on the verge of credibility", or what exactly makes the MINI tent/caravan concepts "non plausible" though. Unless of course, it's because BMW/MINI are so arrogant as to think that in reality, they wouldn't really expect their exclusive niche customer base, to actually lower themselves into getting involved with something as demeaning as "camping & caravaning" ??

Edited by AVV IT, 01 April 2012 - 07:49 PM.

[mab01uk]

Check out the Minivan "Caraboot"...........
http://www.britishpa...query/mini+roof

and Custom Teardrop Travel Trailers for Little Cars:
"The ultimate teardrop trailer for little cars! Now in our third year, MiniTears is gearing up for the demand. Our trailers are quickly becoming the trailer of choice for MINI owners and other "little car" owners."
http://minitears.com/

Edited by mab01uk, 01 April 2012 - 09:42 PM.

[flatline]

is it bad that i like the look of the BMW on the left? if only it had a different name to it!

nah its fine.i like some of the binis but i dont like that they called them minis lol

[Lsurt95]

hahaha good one. i didnt see that coming, i had to read it twice to make sure i read it correctly

[Tamworthbay]

ha ha, zees Germans wizz zer funny humor, ha ha..................................... lost on me though, perhaps if they have so much time on their hands they could design something new rather than a poor copy of a classic.

[mab01uk]

Ade In Britain | ITV Food

In the TV series Ade In Britain, Adrian Edmondson hit the road in a MINI Countryman towing a Classic Teardrop Caravan............
home - The English Caravan Company

[Mini Cheddars]

Ade Edmondson!

I would pay £10 just to get hit in the nuts by him. I'd cry at first but then I'd be so happy. Loved Young Ones and Bottom.

[minimarco]

A bit late on this one but...

the mini yachtsman


This is their april fools joke for this year. The tear drop is quite real.

[cliche]

Ade Edmondson!

I would pay £10 just to get hit in the nuts by him. I'd cry at first but then I'd be so happy. Loved Young Ones and Bottom.

You'd love some Young Ones nuts up your Bottom and would happily pay £10 for it ? You make me cry

Edited by cliche, 08 April 2012 - 12:15 AM.