Why are E70 Interior Colors Limited in US

I'm ordering a 2007 X5 4.8 soon and wondering why BMW does not offer all of the interior colors availible in other countrys. For example, in both Canada and the U.K., they offer Camel and Saddle brown in addition to Beige, Gray and Black. From pictures I've seen of the Camel, I like it much better than the beige, plus it comes with black dash and carpet.

Does anyone know why the US has limited selections? Can we special order a US X5 with these colors? They're made in the same factory in SC.

Originally Posted by SpeedR

I'm ordering a 2007 X5 4.8 soon and wondering why BMW does not offer all of the interior colors availible in other countrys. For example, in both Canada and the U.K., they offer Camel and Saddle brown in addition to Beige, Gray and Black. From pictures I've seen of the Camel, I like it much better than the beige, plus it comes with black dash and carpet.

Does anyone know why the US has limited selections? Can we special order a US X5 with these colors? They're made in the same factory in SC.

The only thing I can think of is that the leather is made in another country and isn't imported to the US due to taxes. Not sure though

Originally Posted by drjeff

The only thing I can think of is that the leather is made in another country and isn't imported to the US due to taxes. Not sure though

Thanks for a shot at an explanation. I don't believe it's an import or tax issue since the X5 (for the entire world) is manufactured in the US at their plant in South Carolina.

Maybe BMWNA thinks us Americans would get confused with too many choices.

I like the camel interior with black trim/carpet so much, I would wait until 2008 if I thought it would be available then. I still wonder if it could be special ordered since X5's on the same assembly line have what I want.

SpeedR,

I tried ordering my '07 X5 in Imola Red, but was told the factory is not accepting any colors outside of what is stanbard. Too bad, the colors you see available for the Z4 line are much more interesting and both vehicles are made on the same production line in S.C.

Buckstop

Some marketing genius in N.J. is responsible for limiting the options/colors. in their largest market, the U.S. Write to BMWUSA, as I have done, and complain. If enough people bitch, maybe they will either 1: Fire the moron in charge of this, or 2: Offer us what the rest of the World gets.

Originally Posted by SpeedR

Maybe BMWNA thinks us Americans would get confused with too many choices.

Originally Posted by SpeedR

I'm ordering a 2007 X5 4.8 soon and wondering why BMW does not offer all of the interior colors availible in other countrys. For example, in both Canada and the U.K., they offer Camel and Saddle brown in addition to Beige, Gray and Black. From pictures I've seen of the Camel, I like it much better than the beige, plus it comes with black dash and carpet.

Does anyone know why the US has limited selections? Can we special order a US X5 with these colors? They're made in the same factory in SC.

Because we are Americans, not europeans, even though many americans origin is europe
But we have plenty of food variety-all types of junk that make us look very different!

BMW pricing in the U.S. is bargain basement compared what they charge in the rest of the world. To help achieve this, limiting choices is one of the little tricks they use to streamline production and reduce costs.

Originally Posted by Brent P

BMW pricing in the U.S. is bargain basement compared what they charge in the rest of the world. To help achieve this, limiting choices is one of the little tricks they use to streamline production and reduce costs.

Good theory, however, all X5's (for the entire world) are assembled at the same plant, on the same exact line in South Carolina. I don't see how they could reduce cost by limiting color options to cars on the assembly line for USA mixed with others on the same line.

Originally Posted by SpeedR

Good theory, however, all X5's (for the entire world) are assembled at the same plant, on the same exact line in South Carolina. I don't see how they could reduce cost by limiting color options to cars on the assembly line for USA mixed with others on the same line.

So X5's ordered for europian countries, including Germany, are made in South Carolina?

Originally Posted by SpeedR

Good theory, however, all X5's (for the entire world) are assembled at the same plant, on the same exact line in South Carolina. I don't see how they could reduce cost by limiting color options to cars on the assembly line for USA mixed with others on the same line.

I think that the only way that you'll be able to get a real reason is if you contact BMWNA. I trust that if anyone, they should be able to shed some additional light on the subject.

Originally Posted by wwb4

I think that the only way that you'll be able to get a real reason is if you contact BMWNA. I trust that if anyone, they should be able to shed some additional light on the subject.

I actually DID contact BMWUSA last week about this, through the Owner's Circle. I complained about the limited options/colors available to U.S. buyers. I also said that I was considering other brands to replace my '05, because of their limiting of U.S. options/colors. The response I received was similar to what most of us get when communicating with BMWUSA...They apologized for the limited options/colors available to U.S. buyers, and hoped that, in the future, I would again consider BMW !

Is anyone at BMWUSA concerned about customer retention? It would appear that the answer is NO.

Originally Posted by drjeff

So X5's ordered for europian countries, including Germany, are made in South Carolina?

The answer is YES. All X5's are manufactured in Spartenburg, South Carolina along with all Z4's. I also understand the new X6 will be made there.

Originally Posted by SpeedR

I'm ordering a 2007 X5 4.8 soon and wondering why BMW does not offer all of the interior colors availible in other countrys. For example, in both Canada and the U.K., they offer Camel and Saddle brown in addition to Beige, Gray and Black. From pictures I've seen of the Camel, I like it much better than the beige, plus it comes with black dash and carpet.

Does anyone know why the US has limited selections? Can we special order a US X5 with these colors? They're made in the same factory in SC.

Contact your salesman at your dealership and see if he is able to put through a special order through BMWNA.The US doesn't officially have the individual program, but many people have been able to order individual interior and exterior colors.You just need a salesman who wants to work with BMMNA to get it done.There probably aren't many because they don't get any extra money for putting in special orders.

Originally Posted by SpeedR

Good theory, however, all X5's (for the entire world) are assembled at the same plant, on the same exact line in South Carolina. I don't see how they could reduce cost by limiting color options to cars on the assembly line for USA mixed with others on the same line.

It saves on administration and management costs, no different than any other industry that offers multiple choices on products that are produced to order. I'm a real estate developer and we offer a significant discount (administrative discount) on 'limited-change' homes versus homes where buyers want to make a lot of choices and changes. I daresay that if BMW offered all the same choices in the U.S. market that they do everywhere else, prices would increase by several thousand dollars, and this wouldn't be acceptable in a market that demands lowest price first.

The current issue is production restraints, most people right now dont realize how in demand the X5 is. Allocation slots are getting harder and harder to find. BMWNA is planning on expanding the the leather options again towards the end of the year.