Report: BMW mulling over subcompact 1-Series sedan to rival Audi A3 sedan, could take form as a MINI too
AutoExpressUK reports that BMW may be considering a 1-Series-based sedan to rival the Audi A3 sedan. BMW’s Ian Robertson, the Roundel’s sales and marketing chief, spoke to the UK-based outlet at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show and said that should this potential 1-Series sedan reach production, it would enter the world’s largest single segment. China purchases nearly 5.5 million subcompact luxury sedans a year.
“BMW is never shy of new segments,” Robertson told AutoExpressUK. “There are no plans to do it at the moment, but do we want to do it? We’ll see…”
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There’s even a distinct possibility that BMW may even have MINI produce a subcompact sedan.
“Making a MINI like this certainly wouldn’t be the norm, but then part of MINI’s appeal is not to be normal,” Robertson remarked. “With a few minor exceptions, such as long-wheelbase BMWs in China, we make cars for the global market, and that applies to MINI, too.”
The potential models to be will be based on BMW’s new modular front-wheel drive platform that will underpin the next generation of MINIs and several entry-level BMWs. No time frame was announced, but either way, BMW is seriously looking to grab some of the mass market sales.
– By: Chris Chin
Source: AutoExpressUK
