Recently, BMW’s North America vice president for operations sat down for an interview with Automotive News to talk about the company’s future product plans. With the next-generation X5 right around the corner, he said the market for luxury SUVs is unlikely to decline, because people who can afford such vehicles “certainly can afford higher fuel prices.” He did note, however, that BMW has no plans for an even larger SUV. BMW won’t “overdo it,” he said. Regarding rumors of a possible replacement to the Z8 roadster, Mosher said BMW doesn’t “need” to build such a car, but would like to. He admitted Mercedes has always done well with its SL-Class roadster. When asked why BMW is planning a competitor to the slow-selling Mercedes R-Class, Mosher said he thinks popularity of such vehicles will increase in the future. He said this class of vehicle is being developed to meet the needs of the future. He likened the new segment to the debut of the minivan — “years ago there was no such thing,” he explained.
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07/21, 10:30 AM
posted by:
Mike
“He likened the new segment to the debut of the minivan — “years ago there was no such thing,”
but, the minivan was an instant success for Chrysler. There was a gaping hole in the market… with the key being that there WAS a market; unlike the r-class-like luxury wagon/minivan/hatch thingies.
07/21, 10:59 AM
posted by:
Renton
I think the BMW high performance minivan concept will be very cool. A much more efficient people mover than the SUV. It will still be fun to drive.
07/21, 11:05 AM
posted by:
Mike
Once again Renton, MB has done this already. It is failing miserably. Bangelizing it won’t increase sales at all. There is little to none that BMW can offer in this dismal segment over the current offering (notice the lack of plurality here). It is foolish to follow into a segment that has proven not to be popular or profitable.
07/21, 11:10 AM
posted by:
M
If i were Munich i’d be getting pretty angry with BMW in America about know….. How many spy shots of the new M3 have we seen… All of them in California.. I know they do it for publicity but i dont think BMW want that much exposure. Also the amount of discussion about there product plans is too high….. Be like Apple and hide everything until a launch event….
07/21, 11:31 AM
posted by:
Renton
MIke, I’ll wait for the car to be built. It won’t cost me a dime. The Benz version is a bit strange looking as well.
07/21, 11:59 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
#4: Apple != BMW. Don’t ever try to compare garbage to BMW.
07/21, 12:12 PM
posted by:
M
No 6. Apple and BMW are two of the best companies in the world. BMW’s Rolls royce creation and Apple’s imac creation are amazing. How can you call Apple garbage, better then Cr@ppy microsoft. Microsoft is like Mercedes, they copy every one else and make absoulute trash. BMW is like Apple, different, amazing and cool.
07/21, 12:54 PM
posted by:
al
i know this might be a bit off topic but talking about Rolls Royce…. why is is the phantom so expensive??? what makes it sooo good??? i was thinking about it yesterday and it seems like a Mercedes S 600 has everything and maybe even more gadgets than the Rolls royce and it is sooooo much less expensive. Is it just the name and the way it looks that makes it so expensive??
07/21, 12:57 PM
posted by:
M
No 8…. Love, care and amazing craftmanship,,, Its almost totally handbuilt. compare if it you will to a riva speedboat or an ipod mini… there was a good article in Top Gear once saying where the materials came from and i think the rugs were from new zealand.
07/21, 1:10 PM
posted by:
Jon'O
The expense of a RR should have nothing to do with our judging it. It is completely relative to the buyers pocket book. People who think “value” can be judged objectively are fooling themselves.
07/21, 8:25 PM
posted by:
Renton
The Phantom is one of the most exquisite and detailed machines ever. It is the ultimate expression of a luxury automobile.
#8 Riva makes one gorgeous boat, no doubt.
07/21, 8:27 PM
posted by:
Phil
After reading the article, the most interesting thing to me was the new z8, it would be nice to see an sl killer out in the market in fact BMW “needs” to build it.
07/22, 12:39 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
#7: Sorry, but you are dead wrong. Apple makes the ****tiest hardware (and software!) in the computer business. Don’t be fooled by their massive PR campaigns. And no, M$ is *not* any better either. In this case, you can’t compare the brands, it’s like comparing an F-22 to a toaster…they have absolutely nothing in common.
07/22, 2:27 AM
posted by:
GMrules
Apple is great like GM so shut your trap!
07/22, 10:08 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
#14: Apple is a piece of **** company, end of story.
07/23, 10:06 PM
posted by:
Tim
I can finally say that I agree with GMrules