And here we think BMW might not be so luxurious after all as the headquarters in Germany have reportedly adapted a drastic marketing move—requesting its own employees, especially those who still don’t cruise in a smashing BMW model, to buy one. Over 7,000 cards were distributed among the employees in the German BMW factory.

The said cards bore the following lines: “What’s wrong here? You like working with us. You appreciate your job and income. But you drive a vehicle from a competitor.” The cards also carry three signatures from BMW’s men from the higher ups: Ian Robertson, BMW’s sales chief; Harald Krueger, the head of personnel; and Manfred Schoch, union representative.

BMW spokesperson Alexander Bilgeri confirmed the interesting humor to Bloomberg.com, an online news provider. It wasn’t a joke, a hoax, or a job threat. No one will lose a job if he or she chooses to drive a competitor’s model. Rather, the effort is aimed at awareness and inspiration—letting the factory workers that they are an invaluable part of the company.

The recent scrapping of vehicles and incentives offered by the government did not good to increase the sales of luxury brands like Mercedez Benz and BMW. Half into the year, the BMW Group—Rolls Royce, Mini, and BMW included—has managed to sell an estimated 488,000 vehicles, which is almost a 21% decrease in sales.

Bangle is known for the ill-mannered nickname “Bangle Butt”, a term that has become tantamount with the distinct rear ends of the BMW models designed and produced during Bangle’s reign. It was first seen on the 2002 7-series sedan and soon spread to its successors. Bangle defended his concept by stressing that this design is a step in modernizing a car company whose stance on sheet metal is very traditional. Just the same, BMW stood by Bangle’s side all throughout the criticisms and the Bangle’s mark appeared on almost every BMW model product ever since. Many of these models sold well in the market.

Aside from the 7-series, Bangle and his team were the working design force behind the current 3- and 5-series ranges, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6 and other BMW models. He also worked on the Mini and Rolls-Royce designs. He also helped build BMW Designworks in the US and made it into a successful design and consulting force that is known around the world.

According to the press release from BMW, Bangle’s move is voluntary and that he is to chase after an interest outside of the automobile industry. However, Tom Plucinsky, spokesman for BMW cleared that he is not familiar with the no-compete clause that wouldn’t allow Bangle to work for another automobile company.