Analyst doubts protests hurt BMW financially

By PE Business on August 18, 2011 6:00 AM
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BMW could have been embarrassed by the pressure irate Teamsters put on in the last two months, but an auto industry analyst doesn't believe it translated into serious economic pressure for the luxury car manufacturer.

Jeremy Anwyl, CEO of the industry analysis firm Edmunds.com said he doubts BMW had any bottom-line problems when Teamster picket lines visited dealerships across the country. The controversy stemmed from BMW's decision to outsource its parts distribution in Ontario, which would have meant well-paid, long-time Teamsters would have been replaced.

Last week BMW extended the Teamsters' contract in Ontario for six months.
Randy Cammack, a Southern California Teamsters leader, said he heard reports of car shoppers who dropped by BMW dealerships on Saturday car-shopping pilgrimages, spoke to picketers about the issue at hand and immediately left.

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