BMW Kills the X7 to Focus on Crossovers
BMW has shelved the X7 – a larger version of the X5 – and in it’s place put more resources on the forthcoming BMW X1 and MINI Crossover. This according to this week’s Automotive News. Here’s an excerpt”
>BMW is reacting to the sagging economy and rising fuel prices with two small crossovers, the BMW X1 and Mini Crossover Concept, says CEO Norbert Reithofer. He said the old product plan, which included the now discontinued X7 SUV, would not have generated sufficient growth through 2013.
>A production version of the four-seat Crossover Concept is expected to go on sale in 2010.
Also in the article is a small but relatively interesting insight into BMW’s “Project i” small city car. Again here’s another excerpt from the article:
>BMW is also working on Project i, what Reithofer calls a “mega city car.” The company has not approved production of the car, possibly an electric. Also uncertain is the car’s brand.
>Reithofer said the first fruits of Project i will be 500 electric Mini cars to be given to “special customers” at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009 in New York, New Jersey and California for a one-year trial.
+ BMW to Work on Two Small Crossovers / Automotive News
What does the X1 look like compared to the MINI Concept? Are there any concept photos of the X1?
The X1 isn’t nearly as attractive as the new R60 imo, its also much to portly in many ways.
<a href="http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/2008/10/2008-paris-auto-show-bmw-x1-concept.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://blogs.edmunds.com/straightline/2008/10/2008-paris-auto-show-bmw-x1-concept.html</a>
Great news about the X7 being canceled, rather think BMW must have been living in a pipe dream for a while. The economy has been not very conducive to monster SUVs for the better part of a year.
>What does the X1 look like compared to the MINI Concept? Are there any concept photos of the X1?
Sorry, I just assumed everyone would know about <a href="http://www.bimmerfile.com/" rel="nofollow">BimmerFile</a>. There’s a link in the story above to a BimmerFile story on the X1. You can also check it out <a href="http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/10/01/bmw-x1-debuts/" rel="nofollow">here</a>.
At least the X1 retains the good looks of both the X5 and the X3. I can’t say the same for the MINI Crossover.
I agree with JonPD – common sense now prevails at BMW.
Sorry all, I don’t quite see the Crossover. As Peter M. DeLorenzo says at this week’s <a href="http://www.autoextremist.com" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.autoextremist.com</a>: “Shut the lights off on the room where that Mini Crossover Concept came from, turn, and then walk slowly away. Please.”