BMW X1 to be built in Leipzig
BMW announced today that it would begin building its entry-level CUV at the automaker's Leipzig plant, alongside the 1- and 3-series. The news confirms rumors that the X1, which has yet to be revealed publicly, will indeed be built on the 3-series platform, lending some amount of sporting cred to the mini 'ute.
BMW hasn't announced what exact markets the X1 is destined for, but the decision to produce in Liepzig is part of BMW's efforts to shift production into the regions in which its vehicles are primarily sold. As such, the next X3 will join the X5 and X6 at BMW's Spartanburg plant, instead of the Magna center where it's currently produced.
Expect the BMW X1 to be revealed later this year or early in 2009.
[Source: Reuters]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
iCameiSawiConquered 5:06PM (5/30/2008)
Hmm...looks like another BMW X car with no purpose or utility. The X3 has always been pretty much a joke, the introduction of the supremely overpriced, overweight, and useless X6 no doubt takes the cake, now this X1 mini SUV not only cannibalizes the X3 but will probably have about as much space as a 1 series with a price tag of a 335.
In an era of high gas prices, why is BMW intent on building these vehicles? Is an X7 next?
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Joce03 5:18PM (5/30/2008)
Don't say "X7" too loudly.... BMW might hear you!!! And for the rest of your comment: I agree.
3seriesisking 5:25PM (5/30/2008)
If my memory serves me correctly, BMW has NEVER had a problem selling any of the X vehicles. They know what they are doing and if there weren't a market for the "useless" X3 or a subsequent X1, BMW wouldn't be building them.
LeRobert 5:58PM (5/30/2008)
Will people simply stop saying that BMWs are overpriced on the basis that they can't afford one? BMWs are luxury cars, and as such, are meant to be priced so that only the well-off can afford one.
User 3:09AM (6/01/2008)
Man, BMW seems to be spitting out new models left and right.
User 3:11AM (6/01/2008)
LeRobert,
These are "luxury" cars but BMW's sales figures aren't "luxury." Way too many people think they deserve these cars but few can truly afford (as in buy, not lease) them.
aaron 5:26PM (5/30/2008)
This makes no sense. But at the same time it does...
American's are trying to ween themselves off of SUV's, but they still want "utility" and of course ride hight. Blame the market and BMW NA....
Just don't blame BMW as a whole (Munich and everybody else)
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geo.stewart 7:57PM (5/30/2008)
well if infiniti can have a product on the books to be smaller than the craptastic EX, then why cant BMW have something equally useless.
and as for comments re: pricing; when the 1 series is only $3K-5K cheaper than the 3 series, yeah its overpriced, overweight, and just over.
Otherwise, priced okay, at least for the intended market
Chris 5:47PM (5/30/2008)
An X for the 1 series? I thought the 1 was already a cruel joke. I was so hoping for real lightweight BMW sedan/coupe but all we got was the old 3 series reborn. Same pricing as days gone by with very little real to separate the two
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Juan 5:53PM (5/30/2008)
And the point of an X1 would be what exactly?
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3seriesisking 6:10PM (5/30/2008)
Higher demand for smaller/more efficient vehicles+continued interest in utility types=need for a small, entry level CUV. Why is that hard to understand?
Juan 6:15PM (5/30/2008)
I understand the want for smaller/more efficient vehicles but I honestly don't understand the hype over these darn CUVs. A comparably sized wagon would get better fuel economy and handle better than any CUV. So if you really need the space and fuel efficiency, why not get the wagon?
aaron 6:20PM (5/30/2008)
The Japanesse automakers want to make more of these types of cars in the US. So do US automakers to a certain extent.
But if it ain't Japanesse and it's a Bimmer, people just got to hate anything really.
Dude 7:10PM (5/30/2008)
Seriously. I thought the X3 was the "entry-level" SUV/SAV. What is the point of making an even smaller SUV? Get a 3-series wagon!
Will 7:29PM (5/30/2008)
Why not get the wagon? Because 90% Americans think wagons are for soccer moms and don't have the self-esteem to make the more intelligent choice. So the rest of us have to put up with bullcrap like FOUR useless BMW SUV's, none of which can actually go off-road like an SUV was originally intended.
porschedevotee 6:25PM (5/30/2008)
"...will indeed be built on the 3-series platform, lending some amount of sporting cred to the mini 'ute."
Really? I have a lot of faith in manufacturers to screw up a perfectly good platform, particularly when it's getting hacked for a 'ute of any sort. I'll leave it to BMW to prove me wrong, if they can...
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dave0mary 9:02PM (5/30/2008)
So this is where all the marketing geniuses hide out with their Dell's. Most people given the chance complain. Look at BMW's numbers folks.
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