In the US, wagon owners are not GT buyers
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Knoxville, TN, USA
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
GT sales disappointing, 5-series wagon owners do not buy the GT but rather defect to the competition; CEO of BMWNA now says that he wishes they had not stopped selling 5er wagons in the US:
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...305239978/1246
Hello? If the marketing/ product planning people had actually listened to actual BMW wagon owners this debacle never would have happened.
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...305239978/1246
Hello? If the marketing/ product planning people had actually listened to actual BMW wagon owners this debacle never would have happened.
#2
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 10,301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: See my signature
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
GT sales disappointing, 5-series wagon owners do not buy the GT but rather defect to the competition; CEO of BMWNA now says that he wishes they had not stopped selling 5er wagons in the US:
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...305239978/1246
Hello? If the marketing/ product planning people had actually listened to actual BMW wagon owners this debacle never would have happened.
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...305239978/1246
Hello? If the marketing/ product planning people had actually listened to actual BMW wagon owners this debacle never would have happened.
#3
Contributors
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The State of Southern NJ!
Posts: 5,972
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
And, while I'm not a potential buyer for a 5 Series Touring, I think the decision to eliminate them in the US market was a mistake. And, while I'm not a marketing expert, I'm of the opinion if they moved the price point of the 5'er touring downstream a bit they would have attracted more interest and potentially more buyers. In my mind, 'station wagon' buyers are interested more in a car's utility and function and less in an ultra-loaded with options, hyper-expensive sedan, with storage.
But, then again, what do I know
![Wacko](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/wacko.gif)
#4
Contributors
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New York, New York
Posts: 10,301
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: See my signature
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
While I'm not a potential buyer for a 5 series Touring I think the decision to eliminate them in the US market was a mistake. And, while I'm not a marketing expert, I'm of the opinion if they moved the price point of the 5'er touring downstream a bit they would have attracted more interest and potentially more buyers. In my mind, 'station wagon' buyers are interested more in a car's utility and function and less in an ultra-loaded with options, hyper-expensive sedan, with storage.
But, then again, what do I know![Wacko](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/wacko.gif)
But, then again, what do I know
![Wacko](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/wacko.gif)
#5
Senior Members
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 535 xi - M Sport Pkg & other goodies
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
But most manufacturers seem to be going for this hatchback look (like the A7 that's going to debut), so it can't be the market that doesn't want them. That's partly what all these crossovers are going for too, I thought? Like the Venza? So it's probably the ugly looks of the GT and its high price tag that deter buyers.
Wagons, sadly, do seem on the way out here in NA. Volvo dropped their V70, Audi's S4 Avant's no longer, and I bet the A6 Avant will go too. Only Merc's new E350 remains if you want a nice high HP wagon, besides the Volvo XC70.
Wagons, sadly, do seem on the way out here in NA. Volvo dropped their V70, Audi's S4 Avant's no longer, and I bet the A6 Avant will go too. Only Merc's new E350 remains if you want a nice high HP wagon, besides the Volvo XC70.
#6
Senior Members
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Scania, Scandinavia
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: F11 -14
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
... and in Europe wagons are getting more and more important - there was an article last year in a German car magazine about the possible demise of the sedan/limousine.
I hope you get the wagon back, guys! The F11 is a fantastic car.
I hope you get the wagon back, guys! The F11 is a fantastic car.
![Hug](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/hug.gif)
#7
Members
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535xi Touring - KW Var 3 Coilovers, VMR V710 20x9" wheels, Falken 452 245/35/19" Tires, OEM M5 Front Bumper, OEM M5 Front Fenders, OEM M5 Mirrors, Hamman Style CF Front Lip, Matte Black Kidney Grills, 20% Tint, B&W BMW Roundels.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
But most manufacturers seem to be going for this hatchback look (like the A7 that's going to debut), so it can't be the market that doesn't want them. That's partly what all these crossovers are going for too, I thought? Like the Venza? So it's probably the ugly looks of the GT and its high price tag that deter buyers.
Wagons, sadly, do seem on the way out here in NA. Volvo dropped their V70, Audi's S4 Avant's no longer, and I bet the A6 Avant will go too. Only Merc's new E350 remains if you want a nice high HP wagon, besides the Volvo XC70.
Wagons, sadly, do seem on the way out here in NA. Volvo dropped their V70, Audi's S4 Avant's no longer, and I bet the A6 Avant will go too. Only Merc's new E350 remains if you want a nice high HP wagon, besides the Volvo XC70.
Here is the thing. With the S4 Avant, S6 Avant, M5 Touring, E63 Wagon ect. .... they should sell those state side but only special order, or European delivery. The standard wagons should be brought over in numbers that they think they can sell or based on demand.
I thing BMW and Audi are missing the mark here when marketing these vehicles. Touring/Avant owners are people that want the utility of a SUV, but still want sports car feel and "fun to drive" factor. They need to run commercials and try and pull some SUV owners into these wagons. I think if more people knew about them, and saw how much cargo they actually can carry they would switch over.
#9
Senior Members
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 535 xi - M Sport Pkg & other goodies
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I read today that the A6 Avant won't be available from 2012 on. But this year, as special order, you can get an E wagon AMG style with over 500 HP! Wow.
People who drive SUV's really don't have a clue I think about how much fun they're missing out on, it's true. Moving from our XC70 to this car, I CANNOT believe how much of a difference there is. And the XC70 even had adjustable suspension. It really drove like an SUV, compared to this car. But then again, maybe they're not the "driver" type, and just want to putt along from A to B... Scary thought for me!
I wish they allowed at least special ordering, but they'd probably still have to have their car tested, which for small numbers, the mfr's can't justify the huge costs. It would be awesome if the North American governments could just rely on Euro testing results.
People who drive SUV's really don't have a clue I think about how much fun they're missing out on, it's true. Moving from our XC70 to this car, I CANNOT believe how much of a difference there is. And the XC70 even had adjustable suspension. It really drove like an SUV, compared to this car. But then again, maybe they're not the "driver" type, and just want to putt along from A to B... Scary thought for me!
I wish they allowed at least special ordering, but they'd probably still have to have their car tested, which for small numbers, the mfr's can't justify the huge costs. It would be awesome if the North American governments could just rely on Euro testing results.
#10
Members
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 535xi Touring - KW Var 3 Coilovers, VMR V710 20x9" wheels, Falken 452 245/35/19" Tires, OEM M5 Front Bumper, OEM M5 Front Fenders, OEM M5 Mirrors, Hamman Style CF Front Lip, Matte Black Kidney Grills, 20% Tint, B&W BMW Roundels.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
See what I have never under stood is why they wont allow special ordering of the halo wagons .... ie M5 touring here? They already have crash tested both the 5 series touring and sedan, so why not allow people to special order the touring? This should be the same thing with Audi and its S4 and RS4, RS6 models.