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      04-28-2011, 10:02 AM   #40
SCOTT26
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Quote:
That cant be. I see hundres of five series tourings everyday but maybe a 5 GT a week.
The quote was for the US Market. Since it's introduction in early 2010 to present. BMW 5er Gran Turismo has sold in excess of three years sales combined of the 5er Touring (E61) in the USA. All that is within the space of a year.

The 5er Gran Turismo , however is no volume car. That is why under 25,000 sales within a certain time frame are seen as successful for BMW.
BMW's initial projections for 5er GT was 10% of overall 5er sales including the Sedan and Touring.
The car has fullfilled it's intentions and is extremely popular in Europe and also China , considering the 5er is available as a Long Wheel base model.
Of course in European markets it is outsold by the 5er Touring.

For the 3er Gran Turismo again it is not being pushed for volume but at a slightly higher 20% of the next 3er line. Considering the car will be ideally placed to offer the customer a similar experience to the 5er GT and be available with four cylinder power plants. There will be nothing like it in it's class. Just like the interior of the 5er GT is compared to high premium luxury models because of it's ambience.

In the current market the BMW 3er Touring E91 in the USA is being buried by the rapid sales of the new X3.
In the US if there is a similar SAV alongside the Touring they take the SAV. In a way it is a win-win situation.
And it is not just BMW. Audi are experiencing similiar issues between the Q5 and A4 Avant. Mercedes-Benz has breathing space for it's E-Klasse Wagon but wait till the ML-Klasse arrives later this year and watch the Wagon market diminsh.
BMW was first , Volvo was second. But other European manufacturers will be pulling out of the wagon market soon enough.
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The M850i is evidence that BMW have got their mojo back when it comes to dynamic sports cars...

Last edited by SCOTT26; 04-28-2011 at 10:07 AM..
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