tachyon

Yesterday, BMW held a press conference on the Strategic Realignment of the BMW Group. Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, made some interesting comments about upcoming BMW products ... there is a lot to like here (my bold highlights).

"The premium business remains our strength ?
not the near-premium business, nor the mass market segment.

What this translates into for our automobiles and motorcycles is:
? ground-breaking design,
? high emotionality, and
? product substance.

As far as our services are concerned, this means:
? resolute customer focus,
? comprehensive service, and
? innovative mobility solutions ? anytime, anywhere.

Another ? and of course obvious ? option in our strategic review is further growth via new models from our existing brand portfolio.

In order to focus on capital efficiency, we will further continue to make our product decisions based on derivative utilization as well as on modular systems.

Here is an outlook until 2012:

? We would like to confirm the announcement of the BMW X1. This model is going to complement the successful X family, together with the BMW Concept X6 presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
? Furthermore, we decided to manufacture a four-dour Gran Turismo based on the CS concept study showcased in Shanghai.
? Another result of our strategy is that we will not build a space-functional concept. It will be replaced by a fundamentally altered concept. What I am talking about here is a new segment. We currently call the concept Progressive Activity Sedan or PAS in short. Expect this concept to introduce its own interpretation of the sedan and to surprise you with intelligent features.
? As far as Rolls-Royce is concerned, we would like to confirm our plans for the third variant of the Phantom: a coupe. Moreover, we reevaluated and confirmed an additional Rolls-Royce model during our strategic review. It will slot in below the Rolls-Royce Phantom in terms of both size and price.
? At MINI, we opted for a further model in the sports activity vehicle segment.
? We will continue to extend the range of products under our BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna Motorcycles brands in the years ahead.

Further product decisions beyond the planning horizon until 2012 have been taken. Nevertheless, we cannot provide any details at this point."

westcoast550

The showrooms are going to get pretty crowded !
Cheers

narvselius

Well, they have to. Probably taken but slight surprise by Audi's efforts lately they need to respond. Also, with Lexus focusing on a 1-series car means that BMW must expand their current portfolio into new markets, they cannot continue being profitable by relying solely on the 3-series and the 5-series.