BMW, Audi, MB Global sales: July 2006

[bmer]

Sedan... already? I thought it was going to be a year after the coupe intro.

... i'm not complaining, just surprised.

Yeh, that is a big surprise! Are they already getting prepared for new C-Class and A4?

 

[EnI]

Yeh, that is a big surprise! Are they already getting prepared for new C-Class and A4?

It is not such a surprise.

It was a whole drama - if you recall it - what to do with 335i in US market: to add it to 325i & 330i, or to introduce the the 328i & 335i line-up. So, the initial decision was to move 3er coupe upmarket: introducing 328i & 335i, while sedan & touring would stay 325i & 330i till Spring 2007 when also facelifted 5er would come with same engines (and MB launching new C-class).

But the BMW NA have good arguments against: there would be a drop in sales since the customers would know 328i & 335i are coming to the sedan & touring sooner or later. Also the competition is strong enough (Lexus IS350 & Infiniti G35 both coming with over 300hp, not to mention upcoming C & A4) - so BMW should not stay behind.

What will happen to 5er sales remains a big question: now when 3er will have bigger I6 engines in the line-up. It could happen we will see an early 5er facelift launch - a few months earlier (January?) to save the sales.

So, the sedan & are getting 328i & 335i line-up a bit earlier - in October, just few weeks after the coupe launch. The PR release for new 3er sedan & touring engines (mind that Europe is getting additional 335i, 335d & 325d) will be issued around E93 PR: so late August /early September.

 

[bmer]

Ok, now that you explained the reason why the decision was made, it makes sense.

So the European market 325i and 330i (sedan & touring) won't be replaced by 328i and 335i but 335i is introduced as an additional model (with 325d and 335d)? What about the 328i sedan & touring, are we going to see these models in Europe? And are the 325i and 330i going to be dropped off the model line in Europe as well in the future?

 

[EnI]

Ok, now that you explained the reason why the decision was made, it makes sense.

So the European market 325i and 330i (sedan & touring) won't be replaced by 328i and 335i but 335i is introduced as an additional model (with 325d and 335d)? What about the 328i sedan & touring, are we going to see these models in Europe? And are the 325i and 330i going to be dropped off the model line in Europe as well in the future?

Yes, Europe gets additional models, not replacements.

325i & 330i are staying for now - but getting N53 HPI direct injection engines soon.

Mind that 3ers with I6 petrol engines are not very demanded in Europe, so they are not as important as in US market. Europe favours I4 & I6 diesel engines (318d, 320d, 330d) & smaller I4 petrol ones (318i, 320i) - therefore an introduction of 325d & 335d (and upgrade of I4 diesels soon), and also 323i with I4 turbo sometimes in the near future are more important for Euro markets.

 

[siko]

It is not such a surprise.

It was a whole drama - if you recall it - what to do with 335i in US market: to add it to 325i & 330i, or to introduce the the 328i & 335i line-up. So, the initial decision was to move 3er coupe upmarket: introducing 328i & 335i, while sedan & touring would stay 325i & 330i till Spring 2007 when also facelifted 5er would come with same engines (and MB launching new C-class).

But the BMW NA have good arguments against: there would be a drop in sales since the customers would know 328i & 335i are coming to the sedan & touring sooner or later. Also the competition is strong enough (Lexus IS350 & Infiniti G35 both coming with over 300hp, not to mention upcoming C & A4) - so BMW should not stay behind.

What will happen to 5er sales remains a big question: now when 3er will have bigger I6 engines in the line-up. It could happen we will see an early 5er facelift launch - a few months earlier (January?) to save the sales.

So, the sedan & are getting 328i & 335i line-up a bit earlier - in October, just few weeks after the coupe launch. The PR release for new 3er sedan & touring engines (mind that Europe is getting additional 335i, 335d & 325d) will be issued around E93 PR: so late August /early September.

Do you know if pricing will be greatly affected?

 

[EnI]

Do you know if pricing will be greatly affected?

HERE

 

[KokkenTor]

325i & 330i are staying for now - but getting N53 HPI direct injection engines soon.

Eni, do you know when N53 HPI direct injection engines will be launched in Europe?

 

[EnI]

Eni, do you know when N53 HPI direct injection engines will be launched in Europe?

According to my info in Spring 2007: first featured in facelifted 5er.

 

[siko]

HERE

Thanks Eni... now it's going to be a tough decision between the 335i sedan or coupe. Good thing is that I have another year and a half to think about it!

 

[wltsm]

Thanks for the info, so is the 20d engine going to be upgraded, if so how much power will it get?

Also for the 25d, is it getting upgraded when going into the 325d?

 

[EnI]

Thanks for the info, so is the 20d engine going to be upgraded, if so how much power will it get?

Also for the 25d, is it getting upgraded when going into the 325d?

197HP for 25d, 177HP for 20d.

 

[wltsm]

197HP for 25d, 177HP for 20d.

Thanks for the quick reply, as always!

That makes the 20d the most powerful 4 cylinder engine again!

 

[EnI]

Re: Porsche says no VW takeover in the cards

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