5 Series (F10) BMW 5GT sales disappointing, has execs rethinking 5 Series Touring

[Kowalski]

Looks like the idea of killing the Touring (wagon) version for the U.S market in favour of the oddball GT version, turned out to be a failure.

Automotive News is reporting that the BMW 5 Series GT has been having some unintended and rather unfortunate sales consequences for the German automaker. While the company originally believed that buyers of the old 5 Series Touring would be drawn to the oddball crossover, the truth is that those customers have fled to rival Mercedes-Benz for their wagon needs. Meanwhile, the 5 Series GT has stolen buyers from the more expensive 7 Series line. In Florida, for example, up to 10 percent of 7 Series owners have exchanged keys for the less-expensive GT, which isn't exactly great news for the Bavarians, either.

Of course, overall sales of the 5 Series GT have failed to trend as BMW projected. The company originally said that it intended to move between 4,000 and 8,000 of the models each year, but 2011 has seen only 720 deliveries in the first four months of the year. BMW sold 2,848 examples last year after admitting that they probably incorrectly judged the model mix early on.

While speaking with Automotive News, BMW North America CEO Jim O'Donnell said that he wishes that his company hadn't stopped selling the 5 Series wagon here in the States. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that the big fiver will return to the Land of the Free, at least not in this generation, but the issue will likely be revisited.

The good news is that the automaker may have learned its lesson. Despite the fact that a smaller 3 Series-based Gran Turismo model has been spotted testing (rumored to be called 4 Series), the 3 Series Touring apparently isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

BMW 5GT sales disappointing, has execs rethinking 5 Series wagon — Autoblog

 

[Deleted member 25]

Alleluia.

 

[LaArtist]

Hah no surprise just look at it..

 

[Merc1]

Despite what the spin machine says, this BMW is a flop in the U.S. Period. No way to spin it.


M

 

[Auto]

I'm not surprised!

It's to expensive! It doesn't look good, it's ugly. It's very near the 7-Series but even closer to the 5-Series.

If it was my choice I would rather have the 5-Series or if I needed the space get a 740d.

 

[Centurion]

Haters rejoice

I outted this car as a cross dresser from the get go, people cannot figure out what it is. Once early adopters had bought one and a few corporations had buckled into embracing the car by BMW sales reps shoving fleets of it down their throats at, the sales were bound to drop. This car is destined to have the resale value of a used condom. We should move this thread to the garbage bin.

 

[LaArtist]

Hah the resale value of a used condom..muhahah

 

[Zafiro]

I wonder how the sales are in Europe. I can only speak for Sweden but I see many on the roads of course not as many as the Touring.

 

[SCOTT27]

Yes but this applies to the US Market. The car is still popular within Asia and Europe.

In regards to the Touring - no one bought it. Audi have now followed BMW's lead into not federalizing the A6 Avant for the US.
Because in the US if there is a respective SAV alongside the Touring/Avant - They always go for the X model or Q Model instead of the Touring/Avant. The new X3 is completely outselling the 3er Touring for example , and BMW have not federalized the F31.

Advantage Mercedes-Benz?
The E-Klasse T-modell is stagnant too. And with The new ML-Klasse on the horizon. The ML-Klasse will take over.

 

[Merc1]

I don't see what the big issue is with getting the wagon here by next spring. Just do it. The article reads like/implies that the wagon would have to be re-engineered or something. Hogwash.


M

 

[Merc1]

The E-Klasse T-modell is stagnant too. And with The new ML-Klasse on the horizon. The ML-Klasse will take over.

The ML already outsells the E wagon by a huge margin, that doesn't stop Mercedes from still offereing the E-Class wagon though. Its called Choice.


M

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Hah the resale value of a used condom..muhahah

 

[dalab]

SCOOT your avatar is???
1 series or a surprise?

 

[south]

... and BMW have not federalized the F31.

To the contrary, Jim O'Donnel said the F31 will be available: ""We are not giving up the 3-series wagon because if you give it up, they will go straight to the competition."


Best regards,
south

 

[SCOTT27]

SCOOT your avatar is???
1 series or a surprise?

Find out in a couple of weeks.

 

[Sunny]

at the 5GT failing here.

Now bring the wagon back - a 535d wagon.

 

[coolraoul]

That's one surprising news.

I really thought people would love an ugly-mobile like the whatsitsname.

After all, it's a surprisingly accurate redesign of the little prince's boa having ingested an elephant. And that's quite a feat.

Odd.

 

[LaArtist]

Super thing is that they are making another one the 3er GT

 

[EnI]

(Irrelevant content removed.)

 

[Centurion]

Super thing is that they are making another one the 3er GT

It will struggle. The X1 and X3 are selling incredibly well and are top favourites amongst buyers with minor practical needs. Not to mention the moderate usability of the 3er sedan and touring which serve most customers well enough. So the 3er GT will essentially see trying to fill a non-existent gap not filled by four comparable bimmers.

The BMW spin-doctor could off course counter attack by saying that the 3er GT will be a lifestyle car. I'm sorry but it won't. It will likely look alright in official shots but once you switch your eyes to a Audi A5 SB or even a 3er coupe, you'll come to the realisation that there is nothing lifestyle about the a sedan with an inflated third box.