What's the latest on which 1/2-series we'll get in US and when?

[Jim H]

I know this must get discussed here like every 10 seconds, but I'm wondering what the latest word it. It's hard to tell when searching which news is up-to-date sometimes.

Any ideas which body styles we'll get here in the U.S., and also when they might be introduced here?

THANKS!

[imokruok]

I'm very interested in this question...the 5-door is beautiful.

[Motown328]

So far it's a no-go. If it is decided that the NA market gets it, early-2006. Of course, in the time it took me to write this, BMWNA has already changed their plans. :dunno:

[WileECoyote]

At the NJ BMW CCA Meeting up at BMW NA, they would NOT confirm or deny anything about the 1 Series.

They did, however, admit that hatchbacks and wagons don't sell well in the US anymore...

[TD]

At the NJ BMW CCA Meeting up at BMW NA, they would NOT confirm or deny anything about the 1 Series.

They did, however, admit that hatchbacks and wagons don't sell well in the US anymore...
Which is, of course, wrong.

Both wagons and hatches are pretty hot right now. The number of new enthusiast wagons has grown significantly in recent years. Audi, Mercedes, Saab and Volvo sure sell a lot of wagons.

BMWNA marketed the E46 and E39 wagons very poorly and now try to claim that they don't sell. Well, that's bull****.

Typical BMWNA. F*ck up and then blame the market.

I bet they'll try to blame "us" for the poor sales of the Bangled creations as well.

[swchang]

I bet they'll try to blame "us" for the poor sales of the Bangled creations as well.

They already have. Didn't you read the Panke admission that they didn't do a good job preparing the customers for the new designs?

Anyway, R&T did a story on the Mazda 3s hatch this month. They think it'll do very well. :thumbup:

[Chris90]

Latest is only the coupe in 2006.

[aardvark]

Latest is only the coupe in 2006.
Is that model year 2006 or calendar year 2006?

[WileECoyote]

Which is, of course, wrong.

Both wagons and hatches are pretty hot right now. The number of new enthusiast wagons has grown significantly in recent years. Audi, Mercedes, Saab and Volvo sure sell a lot of wagons.


I won't disagree with you, I was only parroting what was said, and the reasoning why they haven't brought over the e46 hatchback. They did say that at its best (first model year), they sold 4000 e36 318tis, and that the rarest recent model BMW manufactured for sale in the US was the 540i wagon. They quoted that VW's Jetta sales were 120,000 a year, compared to 200,000 a year for the Golf. Beyond that, I wonder what the other marques' sales figures are for wagons, compared to their main models.

My personal belief is that BMW should have offered a 330xiT in the US, but that they chose not to, to make room in their product line for the X3, which I read somewhere isn't selling anywhere near expectations.

I think that it's because BMW doesn't want to spend their marketing efforts on a more diverse product line, which is also probably why they frown on the BMW Individual program here in the US.

[Chris90]

Is that model year 2006 or calendar year 2006?

Last I heard was Sept 2006. Bleh.

[Mark@vfive]

to me its pretty simple. "hot hatches" sell well as an economy car, not as a premium car. in the US BMW is a premium car obviously. 2 series is best for us because its just a small coupe, even though its an economy BMW, it can be sold as a cool and "chic" car like the SLK.

[Shamrock]

Saw pictures of the new 5-series wagon. I think it looks better than the sedan -- no Bangle butt. If they market it right, wagons can sell in the US. Subaru has done a good job at fighting the 4x4 trend.

[bmw325]

They already have. Didn't you read the Panke admission that they didn't do a good job preparing the customers for the new designs?

Anyway, R&T did a story on the Mazda 3s hatch this month. They think it'll do very well. :thumbup:

IN an earlier inteview Panke "blamed" US and European customers even more when remarked that BMW's asian customers "dont' seem to have a problem with the new designs or with i-drive". :tsk:

[Motown328]

Wagons and hatches are the HOT STUFF right now and will only continue to get hotter as they are rather affordable and stylish at the same time.

If Panke and AG keep that attitude up, they won't have to blame their customers anymore because they all will be driving A3s, Mazda 3's, Magnums, WRXs, Golf diesels, RSXs, and IS300s...

Oh, and it's funny to note that all of those listed above are either sales success stories or will be... :tsk:

[JPinTO]

Anyway, R&T did a story on the Mazda 3s hatch this month. They think it'll do very well. :thumbup:

Because Mazda remembered to put the "hot" in "hot hatch".

[Chris90]

Because Mazda remembered to put the "hot" in "hot hatch".

It's a nice car, but I wouldn't call it a hot hatch - it's pretty sedate. Hot would be the MazdaSpeed Protege, Focus SVT, Previous gen Integra GSR etc. The 3 is not sporty like those cars, it's only sporty in comparison to its competition (Civic, Corolla etc).