BMW close to deciding on 4-cylinder 3-Series, 1-Series for U.S.

Posted: Sep 03, 2008
Filed under: BMW, Hybrids, Green News, Industry News

As reported yesterday, BMW will slowly phase out 6-cylinder engine production at its Munich plant in favor for 4-cylinder engines. BMW plans on producing 240,000 4-cylinder units a year. According to InsideLine, BMW is now close to confirming that it will indeed add four-cylinder engines to its 3-Series and 1-Series lineup in North America.

Why? Well for one the 6-cylinder 1-Series hasn’t given BMW the response it was looking for in North America mainly due to the pricing factor which can be reduced when offering a less powerful 4-cylinder engine. Second, rival Mercedes-Benz has already confirmed that it will bring 4-cylinder diesel engines to its U.S. lineup by 2010.

The BMW 320i and 120i are volume sellers for BMW in Europe. BMW’s project director Oliver Friedmann believes it will have a huge impact in the U.S. as well.

As for 4-cylinder turbodiesels in the U.S., Freidmann says that North America is just not ready for them.

 

Source: InsideLine

 

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  • Hedorah
    Looks like the TSX is finally going to have some actual competition in the 4 cylinder luxury market.
  • Investor
    It's a forgone conclusion that BMW will have to bring the 4-cylinder engine over to the US if it sincerely wants to sell 240,000 units annually. It will not be able to accomplished that without the US market. What BMW really needs to do is to bring the 120d and the 123d over to the US, and not over-priced them as they have done with the 1-series. I can't believe that BMW is stating that they are not happy with the sales performance of the 1-series in the US: It was BMW themselves who out-priced the 1 series making it too close to the 3-series's pricing, and that is why only the hardcore car enthusiasts are the only one buying the 1 series over the 3 series. The 1 series needs to be $10,000 cheaper than the 3 series, not $4000 cheaper.
  • Bobmarley
    I thought the 1 series was originally sopossed to get a 4cyl engine with a 4cyl bluetec diesel? I agree that the 1 series is too similar to the 3 series but then again im not in BMW's market
  • topher
    I agree. BMW was too stubborn and prideful of themselves to over-price the 1-series. If anything, they should've lowered the 128i's about $2,000 cheaper than it is right now. And perhaps make it even lighter. But nevertheless, it's a good thing that they are going back to their roots of building a light-weight, efficient vehicle that they were first known for.
  • zermatt
    What you want is a BMW for Honda prices. I am fine with the current pricing because it has to do with paying for engineering and, to some extent, exclusivity. Profitability allows BMW to remain independent and not owned by another company that would ruin the brand.

    Buy a Honda knowing you got a bargain and be happy
  • Jacob
    Well duh... That's all I see are base 3 series.. I don't think it wise for MB to offer diesel in the U.S. just because of the image and the higher price per gallon...

    Should get natural gas going here...
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