BMW To Move Away from Cars

[csv8]

It's the people-powered change from cars to SUVs at BMW.


The German brand re-wrote its rules, and changed the game for other prestige brands up to and including Porsche, when it introduced the X5 and now - with four X models in the range and more to come - it's forecasting a switch to SUV power in the not-too-distant future.

"I could see a time when SUVs account for 50 per cent of BMW sales. But we're talking a five-year horizon," admits the new managing director of BMW Group Australia, Phil Horton. He says runaway demand for the X5 and the latest X3, as well as the success of the controversial X6 coupe, is driving extra development in the SUV class.

"We've got a couple of things in the winds that we're not talking about. For BMW, in the far pipeline, there is more," he says. He refuses to confirm anything smaller than today's X1, although there is solid speculation in Europe that SUVs will be developed in the 1 Series family and also in BMW's electric-powered i range.

"There is no identified X model that will sit below X1 in the next five years," says, neatly sidestepping the question by putting a tight timeframe on the move. Horton also denies that the X-power change at BMW is diluting the company's key selling point, its driver-focussed enjoyment. "The X5 is the perfect encapsulation of the Ultimate Driving Machine. We're building them to be the best driving machines in the class," he says.

While BMW is developing more on the X front, the company is also considering a name change for its coupes and convertibles. Instead of staying with the 1-3-5-7 series it has used in the past, Horton admits there could be future models that use the even numbers pioneered on the Z4 roadster.

"The company is actively considering a nomenclature change,"he says. "It's all to do with the Chinese. They like the number four, apparently. "There are not a lot of numbers left for the proliferation of models that are likely to appear. There is active consideration of using the even numbers that we currently use. That would be two and four.

My comment..Ford need to get Fiesta/Focus/Kuga SUV's here, asap!! or be left behind, as usual...

[PHANTMXR6]

An SUV is still a car isn't it?

[xr6turboford]

Taken from Wikipedia

An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor. Most definitions of the term specify that automobiles are designed to run primarily on roads, to have seating for one to eight people, to typically have four wheels, and to be constructed principally for the transport of people rather than goods.[3]

The term motorcar has also been used in the context of electrified rail systems to denote a car which functions as a small locomotive but also provides space for passengers and baggage. These locomotive cars were often used on suburban routes by both interurban and intercity railroad systems.[4]

There are approximately 600 million passenger cars worldwide (roughly one car per eleven people).[5][6] Around the world, there were about 806 million cars and light trucks on the road in 2007; they burn over a billion cubic meters (260 billion US gallons) of petrol/gasoline and diesel fuel yearly. The numbers are increasing rapidly, especially in China and India.[7]

So yes a SUV is still a car.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by PHANTMXR6

An SUV is still a car isn't it?

yes, that's why i though this was about motorbikes

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

yes, that's why i though this was about motorbikes

Glad I am not the only one, that was my first thought too.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by geckoGT

Glad I am not the only one, that was my first thought too.

Same here. They have a great range of bikes.

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Same here. They have a great range of bikes.

Oohhh yeah

I have always been into the sport bikes but I have a good mate that was into the BMW's. He tried the HD thing (hated it as it was alway leaking oil), tried the Honda ST1300 (liked it but said it was missing something) and now he is back on the BMW K series. I have ridden all of them and the current BMW is by far the nicest. I could definitely see myself getting one if I ever get back on the bike.

[Gobes32]

And he is the MD of BMW Australia which means he has no input whatsoever into BMW's future lineup plans. Sounds like he has been blowing his own trumpet........

[geckoGT]

BMW already have a SUV that is smaller than the X1, its called the Mini Countryman.

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by csv8

Horton also denies that the X-power change at BMW is diluting the company's key selling point, its driver-focussed enjoyment. "The X5 is the perfect encapsulation of the Ultimate Driving Machine. We're building them to be the best driving machines in the class," he says.

While BMW is developing more on the X front, the company is also considering a name change for its coupes and convertibles. Instead of staying with the 1-3-5-7 series it has used in the past, Horton admits there could be future models that use the even numbers pioneered on the Z4 roadster.

"The company is actively considering a nomenclature change,"he says. "It's all to do with the Chinese. They like the number four, apparently. "There are not a lot of numbers left for the proliferation of models that are likely to appear. There is active consideration of using the even numbers that we currently use. That would be two and four.

That was my first thought. BMW always go on about having great drivers cars. But SUV's are not great drivers cars. Yes the X5 My be the best handling in it's class, but it doesn't compared to a small coupe.

Apparently they have a FWD in the pipeline as well. Also which goes again the above point.


Lastly on the topic of even numbers, BRING BACK THE 8 SERIES.

[falcon convert]

"Yes the X5 My be the best handling in it's class,"

Correction........according to Wheels Magazine the X5 is NOT the best handling in its class. That honour belongs to the FORD TERRITORY

[banarcus]

I've looked at a few X5s, E53s and E70s. Very nice car or SUV. For an American made vehicle, it could be a little cheaper on our shores.

[sprint347dave]

the x6 looks Horrendous

[pertuan]

Originally Posted by csv8

"It's all to do with the Chinese. They like the number four, apparently.

This is rubbish. Chinese people do not like the number four. It signifies death and bad luck. Chinese people like the number eight as it is associated with prosperity and wealth. This guy needs to do more research perhaps.

[Bobman]

Lol. BMW will keep on keeping on with the 3 and 5 series - both of which seem to sell well and are always in demand.

Don't think the sedans will stop production anytime soon!