U.S. sales of quirky 5-series GT disappoint BMW

Originally Posted by mason

I really like to know what is impossible for this generation 5 touring. Engines are same. BMW can't come up a marketing plan in a few months? It's Madison Ave's work anyway. Impossible in 2011, yes; what about second half of 2012 or even Jan 2013??

I believe the reason is there are significant costs involved in getting a new model approved for the US market (crash tested, etc.), and given the sales of the 5 Touring in past years, they didn't feel it was a good investment, and even less-so when the model's run is partly over (so the costs of bringing it through US approval would have to amortized over fewer years).

Originally Posted by innerloop

I believe the reason is there are significant costs involved in getting a new model approved for the US market (crash tested, etc.), and given the sales of the 5 Touring in past years, they didn't feel it was a good investment, and even less-so when the model's run is partly over (so the costs of bringing it through US approval would have to amortized over fewer years).

That's reasonable.

On a second thought, I might not agree. Didn't the 1er come in the mid-cycle? Did BMW do all the tests and decide to bring the car over for 2+ years?