Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Report: Slow early sales have BMW thinking 5GT should've launched with six-cylinder]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/report-slow-early-sales-have-bmw-thinking-5gt-shouldve-launche/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/report-slow-early-sales-have-bmw-thinking-5gt-shouldve-launche/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/report-slow-early-sales-have-bmw-thinking-5gt-shouldve-launche/#commentsFiled under: , ,


2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery

It appears that BMW may have overestimated the U.S. market appeal for high-end versions of the 550i Gran Turismo, and executives now acknowledge that the six-cylinder 535i probably should have been available at launch. It's not unusual for an automaker to launch an all-new model by shipping mostly loaded, top-level versions in order to absorb the maximum number of dollars from early adopters, but sometimes that approach backfires if the market isn't ready for the new vehicle.

Case in point is the 5GT, of which BMW has apparently sold fewer than 1,200 units in the U.S. since the launch of the polarizing people mover late last year. Interestingly, BMW has found that more women than expected have bought the model, while its less-than-stellar fuel consumption has hurt sales in a still-weak U.S. economy. Gran Turismo sales are apparently ahead of projections elsewhere, but those other markets launched with both gasoline and diesel inline-six engine choices.

Given that the 5GT is best suited as a road trip machine, it might make sense for BMW to install the 3.0-liter diesel from the X5 and 335d as an alternative to the twin-turbo V8. So far BMW has not indicated any plans to offer a diesel GT in America, but the less costly 535i GT is still slated to arrive in the Fall.


Gallery: Review: 2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo


Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: AutoWeek]






Report: Slow early sales have BMW thinking 5GT should've launched with six-cylinder originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 May 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20102010 bmw2010 bmw 5 series2010 bmw 5 series gt2010 bmw 5-series gran turismo2010 bmw 5-series hatch2010 bmw 5-series hatchback2010 BMW 550i GT2010Bmw2010Bmw5-seriesGranTurismo2010Bmw5-seriesHatch2010Bmw5-seriesHatchback2010Bmw550iGt2010Bmw5Series2010Bmw5SeriesGt2011 bmw2011 bmw 535i gran turismo2011 bmw 535i gt2011Bmw2011Bmw535iGranTurismo2011Bmw535iGtbmw 5BMW 5 seriesbmw 5 series gran turismobmw 5 series gran turismo salesbmw 5 series gtbmw 5 series gt salesBMW 5-seriesBMW 5-Series GTBMW 535i Gran TurismoBmw5Bmw5-seriesBmw5-seriesGtBmw535iGranTurismoBmw5SeriesBmw5SeriesGranTurismoBmw5SeriesGranTurismoSalesBmw5SeriesGtBmw5SeriesGtSalesMon, 24 May 2010 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19488954/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/05/24/report-slow-early-sales-have-bmw-thinking-5gt-shouldve-launche/19488954/article-detail.xml 19488954 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/lead1bmw550igtreview2010_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/lead1bmw550igtreview2010.jpg <![CDATA[BMW 5-series hatch cometh]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/21/bmw-5-series-hatch-cometh/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/21/bmw-5-series-hatch-cometh/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/21/bmw-5-series-hatch-cometh/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to view a high-res version courtesy of AutoExpress.

According to AutoExpress, the next generation BMW 5-series will be offered as a hatchback, along with its standard sedan and wagon counterparts. The Brit pub supposedly has it on good authority that the new hatch design will be similar to the "TwinDoor" feature offered on the Skoda Superb, which allows the driver to raise either the trunk alone or the rear window and trunk simultaneously. If employed on the new 5-series, storage - with the rear seats folded flat - could approach X5 levels. Expect to see the new 5er launched in 2010.

[Source: AutoExpress]

BMW 5-series hatch cometh originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 May 2008 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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