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BMW's Profit Warning, Ferrari's Polarizing New Strategy & Porsche's Wagon Delete

BMW's Profit Warning, Ferrari's Polarizing New Strategy & Porsche's Wagon Delete

Bloomberg Hot Pursuit! Jun 19, 2026 37 min
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About this episode

BMW’s profit troubles and guidance cuts set the tone, then the conversation turns to what enthusiasts actually want: a V12 BMW 7 Series with physical controls, plus the hunt for a scarce G12 facelift spec. Porsche’s E Shift and the broader EV “feel” debate follow, including whether to simulate gears or lean into silence. Ferrari’s strategy of entry-to-elite exclusivity sparks buyer backlash talk, while wagon and other “delete” trends show how options are shrinking.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Term

take hand Wagon

"Coming up on today's podcast. We've got the news from Portia that they're no longer making the take hand Wagon."

They’re saying a wagon model is being discontinued. That matters because wagons are a niche style, so once production stops, it can get harder to find one to buy.

Car

Ferrari Luce

"...t, essentially forcing wealthy clients to buy the Luce Yes. Now we kind of already know this, but this i..."

The Ferrari Luce is a Ferrari model, meaning it’s a very expensive, high-end sports car. The podcast talks about it in terms of how buyers are required or pressured to purchase it. That’s more about the buying process than how it drives day to day.

Car

BMW 760

"So I bought last week new to Me BMW. It's a used MB seven sixty and from twenty twenty good, and I had never test driven it. I'd never driven a BMW,"

The BMW 760 is a top-trim BMW 7 Series. It’s notable here because it comes with a big V12 engine, which is rare compared with most modern luxury cars.

Term

N seventy four

"and you know, they build this N seventy four to twelve cylinder engine for Rolls Royce as well, and now they're no longer using the twelve cylinder and any BMW product."

N74 is the name of a specific V12 engine BMW developed. The host is saying that this V12 has been used in luxury cars like Rolls-Royce, and that BMW has moved away from using a V12 in its own lineup.

Car

Mercedes-Benz GLS

"... pooed the idea and ended up getting the Mercedes GLS. So I've I've kept thinking about it. I kept want..."

The Mercedes-Benz GLS is a large luxury SUV. It’s made to fit more people and luggage comfortably. The podcast mentions it as the car the person chose after thinking about other possibilities.

Company

Big Star Cadillac

"We found this in Texas. I found it Big Star Cadillac outside of Houston, Texas."

Big Star Cadillac is the dealership where the speaker found the car. They wanted to buy it through a BMW dealer, but the dealership wouldn’t sell it to other dealers.

Term

PPI

"let us buy this car for us, and then we'll like do a full PPI essentially, and then maybe we can even cepo it, you know, so that you can get a Quarrantine exactly"

PPI means a pre-purchase inspection. It’s basically a thorough inspection before you buy a used car, to help you find issues you might not notice during a quick look.

Term

cepo it

"and then we'll like do a full PPI essentially, and then maybe we can even cepo it, you know, so that you can get a Quarrantine exactly"

“Cepo” here sounds like shorthand for the steps needed to make a car eligible to be sold/registered in the buyer’s market. The speaker is saying the dealer might handle the compliance paperwork so the buyer can get the car legally.

Term

Quarrantine

"and then maybe we can even cepo it, you know, so that you can get a Quarrantine exactly, and you know, with a twelve cylinder car with air suspension"

This word looks like it may be a transcription error, but the idea is that the buyer wants protection/coverage after the car is inspected and processed for purchase. It’s about making sure you’re not taking on risk blindly.

Term

twelve cylinder car

"with a twelve cylinder car with air suspension, like it's a little bit scary maybe"

A “twelve cylinder” engine usually means a V12. It’s a powerful, smooth engine, but it’s also more complicated and can cost more to maintain if something goes wrong.

Term

air suspension

"with a twelve cylinder car with air suspension, like it's a little bit scary maybe"

Air suspension uses air bags instead of metal springs. It can change the ride height and usually makes the ride smoother, but it’s more complex than a basic suspension setup.

Brand

bowers In Wilkins stereo

"I wanted the bowers In Wilkins stereo, you know. I wanted the full driving assistance suite."

Bowers & Wilkins makes high-end car audio systems. The speaker is saying they wanted that specific premium sound option in the BMW.

Term

full driving assistance suite

"I wanted the bowers In Wilkins stereo, you know. I wanted the full driving assistance suite. I wanted a rear bench instead of the executive lounge."

A “driving assistance suite” is a package of safety and convenience features that help the car drive. Think things like keeping you in your lane and helping with cruise control.

Term

rear bench

"I wanted the full driving assistance suite. I wanted a rear bench instead of the executive lounge."

A rear bench is the standard kind of back seat that can fit more people side-by-side. They’re saying they wanted that instead of a more separated, lounge-style rear setup.

Term

executive lounge

"I wanted a rear bench instead of the executive lounge. And some interior lighting effects, didn't you."

“Executive lounge” refers to a luxury-style rear seat setup meant to feel more like a lounge than a normal back seat. The speaker prefers the rear bench instead of that setup.

Term

led gun roof

"And some interior lighting effects, didn't you. I wanted the led gun roof like and I wanted the laser lights"

This sounds like a transcription mistake, but the point is they wanted an illuminated roof/lighting feature. It’s one of those “pretty box checked” options that makes the car feel more special.

Term

laser lights

"I wanted the led gun roof like and I wanted the laser lights, which they only made in the twenty twenty year and they had to act because of the COVID remember the supply chain problems"

“Laser lights” means the car’s headlights use laser-based technology. They can reach farther down the road than normal headlights, but they’re usually a pricier option to have (and to fix if something fails).

Concept

supply chain problems

"which they only made in the twenty twenty year and they had to act because of the COVID remember the supply chain problems"

Supply chain problems mean shortages or delays in getting parts to carmakers. The speaker is saying that during COVID-era disruptions, some high-end options were harder to produce or ended up being limited.

Term

night vision

"and then also they were just too expensive to make anymore. I wanted the night vision, as useless as it is, just because I wanted every pretty box checked."

Night vision is a system that helps you see better in the dark by detecting things ahead and showing them to you. It’s meant to improve safety at night, even if the speaker personally doesn’t think it’s that helpful.

Term

four wheel steering

"It's really and the [479.6s] four we steering is for the first time something that I can totally feel working. Yeah, because it's a long car. [485.4s] It's like as long as a Chevy suburban."

Four-wheel steering means the back wheels can turn too, not just the front wheels. It helps the car feel easier to maneuver, especially when you’re turning or parking.

Car

Chevrolet Suburban

"It's like as long as a Chevy suburban. But yeah, [488.4s] with the four wheel steering, it just shortens the wheelbase, you know, and the way it feels so much and everything works perfectly on it."

The Chevrolet Suburban is a big, family SUV. The speaker is comparing the car’s length to it to explain why the steering feels more manageable than you’d expect.

Car

Challenger

"Are you even thinking about the Challenger? [519.3s] Not even a little bit. And I thought I thought [521.8s] I would cry. I thought I would actually actually cry, [527.1s] and I don't even It's not a guy who cries very much."

The Dodge Challenger is a muscle car—an older-school style car that’s meant to feel exciting and powerful. The speaker is saying they’re not interested in switching away from it.

Term

muscle cars

"I like the [536.9s] whole kind of cosplay, like muscle cars, cruising, everyone walks lasting. Yeah, [545.3s] but it just it rolls so much."

Muscle cars are performance cars known for big power and a fun, loud, attention-getting style. The speaker means they enjoy that whole scene.

Term

margins

"Well, they're tie in, I mean, I mean so to me, the BMW story is a concern for the industry right because they're having real problems getting the margins they want."

“Margins” here means how much money a company makes after costs, compared to how much it sells for. The point is that BMW isn’t hitting the profit level it wants.

Term

slash their guidance

"Yeah. Yeah, but they had to slash their guidance. They get in. They got a new new CEO or new chairman as Oliver Zipsa steps out of the lead role."

“Guidance” is what a company tells investors about what it expects to happen next. “Slash their guidance” means they lowered those expectations.

Person

Oliver Zipsa

"They get in. They got a new new CEO or new chairman as Oliver Zipsa steps out of the lead role. But he had done very well, we thought, and maybe this is the new guy, like throwing everything out with the kitchen sink."

The hosts mention Oliver Zipsa as a BMW leader who is stepping down from a top role. They connect that leadership change to BMW adjusting what it expects to achieve.

Topic

BMW concept

"But look, I mean you've just pulled up BMW right, and you're looking at their new concept. Because yes, I want to talk about I want to hear."

The hosts pivot from corporate news to BMW’s “concept” vehicles, discussing what they think of the designs. Concept cars are often used to preview future styling, technology, or brand direction.

Brand

Alpina

"have seen Alpina concept now that I think about it, But I don't think it's a concept. ... the Alpina concept for the the new seven."

Alpina is a company that takes BMWs and turns them into more special, more refined versions. Here, they’re talking about an Alpina concept car that hints at what a future BMW 7 Series could look like.

Term

electric sedan

"but [721.1s] to me, it reminds me a little bit of Mercedes four door AMG coop in that it's an electric sedan. [730.4s] At the end of the day, they can tart it up however they want, but at the end of the day, it's an electric sitan."

An electric sedan is a normal-looking four-door car, but it runs on electricity from a battery instead of gas. In this discussion, they’re mostly judging the look, not the technical details.

Term

brutalist

"I love how brutalist [749.0s] they are. I like the attitude. I in general do [752.8s] like the BMW design."

“Brutalist” here means the design looks bold and a little rough-edged on purpose, not trying to be delicate or subtle. The host is saying BMW’s styling feels that way, especially around the grille.

Term

powertrain

"And uh, [787.7s] if they come out with that as an EV, I'm not interested in it because of the powertrain. I'm yeah, [794.2s] I mean, I just don't have much interest in an EV sports car."

A powertrain is the “stuff that makes the car move,” like the engine or electric motor and the parts that send power to the wheels. The host is saying they don’t want an EV sports car because they care about that moving system.

Term

EV

"if they come out with that as an EV, I'm not interested in it because of the powertrain. [794.2s] I mean, I just don't have much interest in an EV sports car."

EV means electric vehicle. It’s a car that uses an electric motor and a battery instead of a gasoline engine.

Car

BMW 7 Series

"I think probably the drive train works in the I seven and the seven series. [799.9s] It works because the soul [805.5s] of a seven series is as much the isolation and the suspension as it is the motive."

The BMW 7 Series is BMW’s top luxury sedan. The host is saying it’s built to feel smooth and quiet, unlike an M car where the engine feel matters more.

Car

BMW i7

"I think probably the drive train works in the I seven and the seven series. [799.9s] It works because the soul [805.5s] of a seven series is as much the isolation and the suspension as it is the motive."

The BMW i7 is the electric, luxury version of the 7 Series. The host is saying that EVs fit this kind of car because it’s more about a smooth, quiet ride than about the engine feel.

Car

BMW M3

"But the soul of an M three is the motor. [819.5s] And yes, and to me, motor. Now we're looking at"

The BMW M3 is a high-performance BMW made by BMW’s M division. The host is saying the M3 is special because of how its engine drives the car, not because it’s quiet or comfortable like some luxury cars.

Car

BMW M2

"I'm hopelessly smitten with the M two. [846.6s] So I know I'm getting one actually when I get back to LA to test drive, to test, yeah, not to not to buy only because really, you are so effusive about it."

The BMW M2 is a compact performance coupe from BMW’s M division, typically prized for its agile handling and driver engagement. Here, the host says they’re “hopelessly smitten” with the M2 and implies they plan to test drive it, framing it as the kind of car they actually want to buy.

Term

EV adoption

"I'd love to fast forward five or ten years and just see how EV adoption has progressed. Because obviously everybody who wanted an EV already has one."

EV adoption just means how many people are starting to buy electric cars instead of gas cars. It’s basically the speed of the switch to EVs.

Term

E Shift

"They've come out with a system on the Tychon. It's called E Shift, and you'll be able to choose as an option for the twenty twenty seven Tychon."

E Shift is a Porsche feature that tries to make an electric car feel more like a gas car. It does that by simulating shifting and engine sounds using the steering-wheel paddles.

Term

artificial shift shocks

"It uses steering wheel paddles to simulate an eight speed transmission, complete with artificial shift shocks, a virtual rev limitter, engine breaking effects, and synthesized powertrain sounds."

Artificial shift shocks are fake “jolts” that try to imitate what you feel when a gas car changes gears. Electric cars don’t shift the same way, so the car simulates it.

Term

virtual rev limitter

"It uses steering wheel paddles to simulate an eight speed transmission, complete with artificial shift shocks, a virtual rev limitter, engine breaking effects, and synthesized powertrain sounds."

A virtual rev limiter is a software limit that stops the simulated engine speed from going higher. It’s meant to recreate the way a gas engine would hit its redline.

Term

engine breaking effects

"It uses steering wheel paddles to simulate an eight speed transmission, complete with artificial shift shocks, a virtual rev limitter, engine breaking effects, and synthesized powertrain sounds."

Engine braking effects are the “slowing down” feeling when you take your foot off the accelerator. EVs can simulate it so the car feels more like a gas car.

Term

instant torque hit

"So they're basically trying to handicap the EV to make it feel more like a gasoline engine. So then, like, why not just buy one of the gasoline engine cars that they sell."

Instant torque hit means the car’s pulling power shows up right away when you accelerate. Electric motors can feel very immediate compared with gas engines.

Term

one gear simplicity

"So they're basically trying to handicap the EV to make it feel more like a gasoline engine. So then, like, why not just buy one of the gasoline engine cars that they sell."

One-gear simplicity means the EV usually doesn’t have multiple gears like a gas car. It uses a simpler setup, which changes the driving feel.

Term

EVs

"long been a controversial in Germany that EV's don't make noise because you can they do make coming"

EVs are cars that run on electricity from a battery. Since they’re often quiet, some EVs add extra sound so people can hear them coming.

Term

fake sounds

"argument for faking a sound of a different powertrain that doesn't make any sense to me. Yeah, like remember when Mercedes started coming out with their fake sounds"

Some EVs play made-up noises through speakers. The goal is to make the car easier to notice, but it can also feel like the car is pretending to be something else.

Person

Hans Zimmer

"I think Hans Zimmer to make a sound for their EV. That's great."

Hans Zimmer is a well-known composer for movie soundtracks. The host is joking that he could help design an EV’s sound so it feels cool and intentional.

Term

amplifying the sound of the electric motor

"or what Ferrari's doing with the luch where they're actually amplifying the sound of the electric motor. I get that better."

Instead of playing a made-up engine noise, the car boosts the sound that the electric motor already makes. The host thinks that feels more honest and easier to accept.

Brand

Dodge

"I get that better. I get that. I can understand that more easily than trying to fake a V eight sound. I mean, ... like I'm all for making your own or what Dodge did with the Fratsnic chamber"

Dodge is mentioned as another car brand that experimented with EV sound. The host is using it as an example of making the noise feel more real or more interesting.

Brand

Tesla

"I think really you should just if you're going to do an EV, lean into it. I mean, Tesla leaned into being completely different and being an EV and they changed the world."

Tesla is mentioned as an example of a company that embraced EVs instead of trying to copy gas-car behavior. The host thinks that approach helped EVs become mainstream.

Concept

perception of status and scarcity

"it creates the perception of status and scarcity and complete elitism in the most in the most desirable way. You want to be in that club."

This is about making a brand feel exclusive. If people believe only a few can get the “good stuff,” it can make the brand seem higher-status and more desirable.

Car

Tesla Model Ye

"...ot. That's not a Model three driver. That's not a Model ye driver. It's interesting that's."
Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"...lumbia Gas. You know they're gonna want to have a Corvette. Well, no, I'm just saying one will say I only wa..."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a sports car designed to be very fast and exciting to drive. People talk about it a lot because it’s a well-known performance model. The podcast mentions it as a car someone might want.

Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"...prise, and has been spotted behind the wheel of a range Rover Love also no surprise. But he's partnered with Lu..."

The Range Rover is a luxury SUV, meaning it’s designed to be comfortable and feature-rich. It can also handle rough roads better than many regular SUVs. The podcast mentions it because someone was seen driving one.

Car

G-Class G Wagon

"...ever seen him driving it, but reportedly he has a g Wagon well Love, no surprise, and has been spotted behi..."

The G-Class is a luxury SUV from Mercedes-Benz with a very recognizable, boxy shape. It’s designed to handle rough roads while still feeling comfortable inside. The podcast mentions it because someone was reportedly seen driving one.

Car

Lucid Air

"And also I really enjoyed for the few days that I drove a Lucid Air that hicle. You know, I wouldn't want to I don't think own one, but. Yeah, yeah, yeah you've driven, Yeah, I've driven it. The panel, the panel covering the A pillar fell off."

The Lucid Air is an electric luxury car. The speaker is talking about a problem they noticed with something on the outside/inside trim while driving it.

Term

A pillar

"The the panel covering the A pillar fell off. I mean it was like falling off. I don't think they're known for bad quality."

The A pillar is the front vertical support between the windshield and the side window area. Many cars use trim panels around it, and if that trim loosens or falls off, it can be a noticeable fit-and-finish problem.

Car

twenty twenty BMW M seven sixty

"You know, it's very fast, is my twenty twenty BMWM seven sixty. I love it. It's so fast. I was driving in this morning..."

This is a very powerful BMW 7 Series variant with a V12 engine. The host is saying it feels like it keeps pulling hard, so it’s easy to get carried away with speed.

Term

speed warning or limiter

"I realized that for the first time I may have to set like a speed warning or limiter because that, yeah, you can do that."

These are safety features that help you avoid going too fast. A limiter actually caps the top speed, while a warning just tells you you’re over a chosen limit.

Term

V twelve

"It's, uh, the V twelve is just it's like a locomotive that keeps on pulling..."

A V12 is a type of engine with 12 cylinders arranged in a V shape. The host is saying it makes the car feel like it keeps pulling strongly all the time.

Term

haptic touch

"it has all of these physical buttons everywhere that you can touch, or dials that you can turn, and not like a haptic touch, but like. An actual an actual knob."

Haptic touch is when a screen pretends to be a button by giving you a physical-like feedback. The host prefers real buttons and knobs because they’re quicker to use while driving.

Place

Taconic

"Because normally that would be buried under like five L. No, it's just a button to the left of the steering wheel, and I can see if there are any deer hiding off the side of the Taconic, so."

The Taconic is a road in the northeastern U.S. The host is saying they use night vision to check for deer along the roadside.

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