BMW plans new-vehicle blitz in U.S.
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BMW plans new-vehicle blitz in U.S.
BMW plans new-vehicle blitz in U.S.
(cliff notes: none will be LTW models
)
Diana T. Kurylko
Automotive News
October 1, 2007 - 12:01 am ET
BMW AG will launch six new vehicles in the United States in the next several years -- all in niches where it does not now compete.
The BMW brand gets three more models, including a small crossover and two sedans -- one of them priced above the 7 series. The Mini brand adds a crossover to its lineup. Rolls-Royce adds two models.
BMW had largely stood by as rivals such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz expanded their lineups. That changed in a hurry last week. BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer outlined a broad strategy for the carmaker through 2020 that included the new-product blitz.
"We want to lead all of the segments in which we are active," Reithofer said. BMW is determined to have the top sales volume in the premium segment, he said.
Reithofer also said BMW is considering buying a fourth brand, but it "would have to be perfect for us and our strengths." BMW has evaluated some brands, but not one "meets our requirements at present," he said.
BMW also killed a crossover, known as the "space-functional concept," that would have competed with the floundering Mercedes R class.
Coming from BMW
BMW will add the following models by 2012.
BMW
BMW's coming new vehicles include the following.
BMW
X1 crossover: This 1-series-based vehicle, expected to debut in 2010, will be smaller than crossovers coming from BMW's competitors, such as the Mercedes-Benz B class. It will share some components with the 3 series.
The X1 will be built in Europe, even though BMW has said it is consolidating production of the X series at its Spartanburg, S.C., plant.
"Progressive activity sedan": The new four-door sedan is expected in 2009. It will be an additional model, substituting for the vanlike concept that had been under study.
BMW axed the earlier concept after concluding that "the combination of premium and MPV doesn't fit so well with the core of the BMW brand," says a spokesman in Munich. He says the major shift is "a switch in the character of the car to four seats."
"Gran Turismo" sedan: The four-door sedan would be based on the CS concept shown this year at the Shanghai auto show. With coupelike styling, it will cost more than the 7-series sedan but will be produced in considerably lower numbers.
The car, due in 2009, would compete against the Porsche Panamera and the Audi A7 coupe. Those competing cars are expected to be on the market within the next two years.
Mini
Crossover: Mini's crossover will expand the brand's range and give it a larger vehicle than the wagonlike Clubman, which debuts in the United States next year. The crossover isn't likely to go on sale for at least three years. It will be available in both front- and all-wheel drive, sources say.
In a conference call with analysts, Reithofer said production of the Mini crossover would be outsourced. He didn't say where, but analysts expect it to be built at a Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria.
Rolls-Royce
Phantom coupe: The coupe version of the Phantom convertible will go on sale next year. It will likely share mechanicals with the convertible. A concept version called the 101EX was shown at the 2006 Geneva auto show.
Smaller car: Rolls-Royce also gets a car smaller than the Phantom. It is due to go into production in 2010. Prices for the new car would start at about $260,000.
Laying out his strategic vision for BMW, Reithofer said the carmaker will boost annual worldwide retail sales to 1.8 million vehicles by 2012 and to more than 2 million by 2020. BMW's global retail sales last year were 1.37 million.
Reithofer also told analysts that the Spartanburg plant will operate above its current annual capacity of 140,000 and will increase capacity to 240,000 by 2012.
Plant spokesman Robert Hitt III said Sopartanburg will produce about 160,000 vehicles this year -- "maybe even 165,000."
To meet demand, BMW also will boost capacity at its Mini plant in Oxford, England, to 260,000 from 230,000, without any additional investment. It also will begin to raise capacity in China to 44,000 a year from 30,000.
In addition, BMW finance chief Stefan Krause told analysts that he wants to source more vehicles and parts from the United States. That would help to hedge the company's exposure to the soaring euro.
Krause becomes BMW's head of sales and marketing today. He will swap jobs with Michael Ganal.
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../70928059/1148
(cliff notes: none will be LTW models
)Diana T. Kurylko
Automotive News
October 1, 2007 - 12:01 am ET
BMW AG will launch six new vehicles in the United States in the next several years -- all in niches where it does not now compete.
The BMW brand gets three more models, including a small crossover and two sedans -- one of them priced above the 7 series. The Mini brand adds a crossover to its lineup. Rolls-Royce adds two models.
BMW had largely stood by as rivals such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz expanded their lineups. That changed in a hurry last week. BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer outlined a broad strategy for the carmaker through 2020 that included the new-product blitz.
"We want to lead all of the segments in which we are active," Reithofer said. BMW is determined to have the top sales volume in the premium segment, he said.
Reithofer also said BMW is considering buying a fourth brand, but it "would have to be perfect for us and our strengths." BMW has evaluated some brands, but not one "meets our requirements at present," he said.
BMW also killed a crossover, known as the "space-functional concept," that would have competed with the floundering Mercedes R class.
Coming from BMW
BMW will add the following models by 2012.
BMW
- X1. A crossover based on the 1 series, likely to debut in 2010
- "Progressive Activity Sedan." A 4-door sedan, likely to debut in 2009
- A limited-volume 4-door sedan with coupelike styling priced above the 7 series, likely in 2009
- A crossover, after 2010
- A car smaller than the Phantom, likely in 2010 or later
- A coupe version of the Phantom goes on sale in 2008
This Rolls-Royce coupe concept was unveiled at the 2006 Geneva auto show.
BMW's coming new vehicles include the following.
BMW
X1 crossover: This 1-series-based vehicle, expected to debut in 2010, will be smaller than crossovers coming from BMW's competitors, such as the Mercedes-Benz B class. It will share some components with the 3 series.
The X1 will be built in Europe, even though BMW has said it is consolidating production of the X series at its Spartanburg, S.C., plant.
"Progressive activity sedan": The new four-door sedan is expected in 2009. It will be an additional model, substituting for the vanlike concept that had been under study.
BMW axed the earlier concept after concluding that "the combination of premium and MPV doesn't fit so well with the core of the BMW brand," says a spokesman in Munich. He says the major shift is "a switch in the character of the car to four seats."
"Gran Turismo" sedan: The four-door sedan would be based on the CS concept shown this year at the Shanghai auto show. With coupelike styling, it will cost more than the 7-series sedan but will be produced in considerably lower numbers.
The car, due in 2009, would compete against the Porsche Panamera and the Audi A7 coupe. Those competing cars are expected to be on the market within the next two years.
Mini
Crossover: Mini's crossover will expand the brand's range and give it a larger vehicle than the wagonlike Clubman, which debuts in the United States next year. The crossover isn't likely to go on sale for at least three years. It will be available in both front- and all-wheel drive, sources say.
In a conference call with analysts, Reithofer said production of the Mini crossover would be outsourced. He didn't say where, but analysts expect it to be built at a Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria.
Rolls-Royce
Phantom coupe: The coupe version of the Phantom convertible will go on sale next year. It will likely share mechanicals with the convertible. A concept version called the 101EX was shown at the 2006 Geneva auto show.
Smaller car: Rolls-Royce also gets a car smaller than the Phantom. It is due to go into production in 2010. Prices for the new car would start at about $260,000.
Laying out his strategic vision for BMW, Reithofer said the carmaker will boost annual worldwide retail sales to 1.8 million vehicles by 2012 and to more than 2 million by 2020. BMW's global retail sales last year were 1.37 million.
Reithofer also told analysts that the Spartanburg plant will operate above its current annual capacity of 140,000 and will increase capacity to 240,000 by 2012.
Plant spokesman Robert Hitt III said Sopartanburg will produce about 160,000 vehicles this year -- "maybe even 165,000."
To meet demand, BMW also will boost capacity at its Mini plant in Oxford, England, to 260,000 from 230,000, without any additional investment. It also will begin to raise capacity in China to 44,000 a year from 30,000.
In addition, BMW finance chief Stefan Krause told analysts that he wants to source more vehicles and parts from the United States. That would help to hedge the company's exposure to the soaring euro.
Krause becomes BMW's head of sales and marketing today. He will swap jobs with Michael Ganal.
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../70928059/1148
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