BMW is making money and selling cars. In 2016 it made more money and sold more vehicles than ever before. But in business, more is usually not enough, and to sell more cars and make more money, BMW will introduce a bunch of new or refreshed models in 2017 and 2018. That was a key point made by Harald Krüger, Chairman of the BMW AG Board of Management at BMW's annual meeting this month in Munich. According to Krüger, the entire BMW Group will bring out 40 new or updated vehicles by the end of 2018.
It had to sting a little bit when BMW lost the global luxury sales crown to Mercedes-Benz last year despite selling a record number of vehicles. Updating the catalog with many new or facelifted products might help BMW get back in the game, but Krüger seems to be concentrating more on earnings and profit than sales numbers, which could be good for shareholders and customers.
Regarding product development, Krüger intends to stay the course, and by that, he means continuing to emphasize innovation, building more new vehicles, and working on electric mobility and automated driving.
“Once again, we are targeting record sales volume, revenues and earnings in 2017,” said Krüger. “Leadership in innovation and sustainable profitability are the keys to our success. That’s why, we are fully focused on meeting the wishes and needs of our customers, with the aim of igniting their enthusiasm for mobility day after day with appealing products and services."
The 40 new or refreshed models include offerings from BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce. The onslaught has already begun, with the launch of the G30 5 Series Sedan that includes the 530i and 540i xDrive and sDrive versions, the 530e xDrive iPerformance, the M550i xDrive M Performance. and the 5 Series Touring models, so there are at least seven right there.
Bigger must be better, according to Krüger, since he will be emphasizing the top end of the premium market segment. The elephant in that room will be the X7 Sports Activity Vehicle that will sit atop BMW's X family in size, price, room, and luxury. Reports are that two versions of the X7 will be available—a seven-seater that will follow the format of other BMW SAVs like the X5, and an ultraluxurious four-seat model.
By the middle of 2017, in addition to the two BMW i3s—the i3 basic electric and the i3 Range Extended models—the BMW Group will have a plug-in hybrid lineup that includes the BMW i8, 330e, 530e, 740e, 225xe Active Tourer, X5 40e, and Mini Countryman S E. A totally electric Mini and BMW X3 also have been given the green light but will probably not arrive by 2018. Krüger noted that by the end of 2017, BMW will have sold 200,000 electrified vehicles since the i3 was launched four years ago.
“The all-electric MINI and the all-electric BMW X3 will mark the beginning of the second wave of electrification for the BMW Group, benefitting from the ongoing technological progress we are making in this area,” Krüger said. “Strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT sets out our strategic course for further electrification and the direction of project i over the coming decade. We will incorporate all-electric, battery-powered mobility into our core brands, as we have already done successfully with our plug-in hybrid vehicles. By using highly flexible architectures we can avoid duplicate investments in plant and equipment and will be able to adapt our range of electric and conventional vehicles to changing demand both quickly and efficiently.”
So besides the new 5 Series models, what other BMW group introductions may we expect before the end of 2018? We will see a Life Cycle Improvement (LCI) for the 4 Series Coupe, Convertible, and Gran Coupe; probably an LCI i8 in addition to the new i8 Roadster/Spyder; a 2 Series/M2 LCI; the all-new X2 Sports Activity Coupe; the third-generation BMW X3; maybe an X3 M; LCI 6 Series models and possibly a 6 Series GT; an M4 GT4; and the F90 M5. The replacement roadster for the Z4 will probably see a 2018 launch. An 8 Series Coupe is also a possibility for 2018. The next-gen X5 may be planned for a 2018 launch. The G20 3 Series is due in 2018 as well. Whenever you see a new model like the X5 or the 3 Series, a plug-in hybrid version is sure to follow closely.
Elsewhere in the BMW Group, the new Mini Countryman and Mini Countryman John Cooper Works are already 2017 introductions and the plug-in hybrid Countryman S E All4 is also coming this year.
Rolls-Royce doesn't have that many models in the first place, but 2018 will see two important launches. The new Phantom will continue the model line that goes back for more than 90 years, while the Cullinan SUV will create a whole new segment for Rolls-Royce.
Krüger's plan to roll out so many new models and updates is ambitious and is heartening to BMW enthusiasts who may have the impression that all BMW cares about is electric or self-driving cars. To be sure, those are coming, but in the meantime, we should have enough to look at over the next two years to keep us interested and excited.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
