| 10-04-2007, 09:44 PM | #1 |
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BMW’s Product Pipeline
BMW’s Product Pipeline
BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer has confirmed a series of new BMW models that will fuel the company’s ambitious growth plan. They include: • X1, a new entry-level sport/utility vehicle, by 2012. • A revived range-topping 8 Series production model based on the dramatically styled CS four-door coupe concept shown at the Shanghai motor show last spring, also due by 2012. • A Mini compact SUV. • A smaller Rolls-Royce model to compete against rival Bentley’s Continental Flying Spur. One of the most expensive—and most immediate—results of announcements by Reithofer is that Rolls-Royce will produce a coupe version of the Phantom beginning in 2008. The car will be based on the 101EX concept shown at the Geneva show in 2006. Like the concept, the new car will be a two-door, four-seat coupe. It will use an all-aluminum construction similar to the rest of the Phantom family, but the body will be shorter than the Phantom sedan and will get a revised suspension and chassis setup. The powertrain, featuring a 6.8-liter, 453-hp V12, will be identical to the other Phantom models. The new coupe will be priced between the $340,000 Phantom and the $407,000 Phantom Drophead Coupé. Another key product in the works is the V7, which Reithofer said is a new take on the Space Functional Concept and is now referred to as the Progressive Activity Sedan.  Hans G. Lehmann / Hidden Image BMW V7 Spy art of the big five-door clearly previews the unusual shape of the German carmaker’s upcoming Mercedes-Benz R Class-rivaling V7 crossover that is due to hit North America in 2009. More wagon than van, it will be aimed at buyers seeking the luxury and road-going manners of a 7 Series but in a more practical and roomier body with seating for up to seven. The vehicle is based on 5 and 7 Series components, including a new turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 under development in Munich, a soon-to-be-introduced eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel-drive that will also be an option on the 7 Series. AutoWeek's Original News Report: 09/27/2007 The BMW Group announced a radical overhaul of its worldwide operations aimed, among other things, at seeing it achieve annual sales of more than 2 million by 2020—an increase of 600,000 vehicles on its record 2006 sales figure of 1.4 million. In announcing a program of changes at the company’s headquarters in Munich, BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer detailed a far-reaching seven-point plan for increased growth and improved profitability. He described it as a “fundamental strategic realignment” of the German carmaker’s day-to-day activities. As an interim target, Reithofer laid out figures that aim to see BMW hit 1.8 million sales worldwide by 2012, while boosting its return on capital expenditure from 21.7 to 26 percent and raising its return on sales from 6.3 percent to more than 8 percent. Central to the changes is a broadening of the BMW Group’s lineup through its BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce brands. Reithofer also said the company would seek greater economies of scales though strategic alliances, hinting heavily that BMW would increase its supply of engines to other carmakers while seeking cooperation in a number of fields in a bid to cut its cost base and improve overall efficiency. Reithofer confirmed a series of new BMW models will fuel the growth plan, including: • X1, a new entry-level sport/utility vehicle, by 2012. • A revived range-topping 8 Series production model based on the dramatically styled CS four-door coupe concept shown at the Shanghai Motor Show last spring, also due by 2012. • V7, a heavily overhauled version of the Space Functional Concept, now referred to as the Progressive Activity Sedan. The vehicle would compete with the Mercedes-Benz R-Class. • A Mini compact SUV. • A Rolls-Royce coupe version of the Phantom, as previewed by the 101EX concept at the 2006 Geneva motor show (see related story). • A smaller Roll-Royce model to compete against rival Bentley’s Continental Flying Spur. Reithofer said BMW also will develop new concepts, suggesting additional models may cater to environmentally conscious car buyers. That has fueled speculation that the BMW could be eying the acquisition of a fourth brand, or follow the example of Mercedes-Benz with its Smart off-shoot in creating an additional brand to market a new range of low-emission vehicles for city use. Responding to speculation that BMW was eyeing a purchase of Volvo, Reithofer confirmed that BMW had looked at acquiring a fourth brand, including Ford’s Volvo subsidiary, but said “none of those we evaluated meets our requirements at present.” To help achieve the substantial increase in sales set out in BMW’s strategic realignment, Reithofer announced an increase in production capacity at the company’s manufacturing plant in South Carolina to 240,000 units per year—up from today’s 160,000. The increase opens the way for U.S. production of the company’s new X6 Sports Activity Cruiser along with the second-generation X3, production of which will switch from Magna’s factory in Graz, Austria, to Spartanburg in 2010. BMW also plans to raise production at its Oxford plant in England by 20,000 units to 260,000 in a bid to meet strong demand for the Mini and new Mini Clubman models. Reithofer said the increase at Oxford will not involve any additional investment, but will be achieved through a more flexible working model. BMW’s presence in China will also grow, with production increasing from 33,000 units in 2006 to more than 40,000 in coming years. As well as outlining bullish plans for BMW’s automobile operations, Reithofer also announced that a strategy had been formulated to increase its worldwide motorcycle sales by 50 percent to more than 150,000 by 2012. This will be partly achieved through its recent acquisition of Husqvarna. |
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