Drivers have put many miles on the clock since Henry Ford told his Model-T salesforce that customers could have any colour they wanted as long as it was black. If anything, carmakers have roared off in the opposite direction: by 2017, BMW plant managers were claiming would-be Mini owners could choose from 15tn combinations of shades, parts, trims and accessories.
So my ears pricked up last week when BMW’s chief financial officer Nicolas Peter said the group would slash options available to customers. “Certain combinations make no sense at all, and are never chosen,” he said, outlining how the group would reduce costs and complexity as it increased electric car production.
In a restaurant I tend to opt for the set menu rather than going à la carte. Confronted with an abundance of choice, I am an indecisive shopper, so news of simplification is cheering.