Photo: theophilus chin
It’s not a surprise anymore that crossovers are the hottest thing on the market at the moment. Most manufacturers are focusing their efforts in bringing out all sorts of crossovers. For example, Mitsubishi even confirmed that they just won’t invest in making a sedan anymore but instead put all of their efforts into bringing out more crossovers.
It doesn’t even matter what engines are powering them as long as people get a higher, more commanding driving position and more space inside. That’s something BMW also wants to tap into shortly.
In a recent interview for Automotive News, BMW USA CEO, Ludwig Willisch, said that he can’t wait for the expansion of the Spartanburg plant to be over so that it can make more crossovers.
At the moment, it seems like the Germans are struggling to keep up with the demand for X3 and X5 models that are being manufactured in the US exclusively. Thanks to a $1 billion investment, the South Carolina facility will have its capacity increased from 350,000 units per year to around 450,000. Some of that money will also go into developing the new X7, a model Willisch thinks will be elementary for BMW in the US.
That’s because it will be bigger than any crossover the Bavarians are making at the moment. Think of it as a competitor for the GLS-Class from Mercedes-Benz or the more traditional Range Rover Sport.
However, the X7 won’t be released for at least three years from now, unfortunately, as Mr. Willisch himself said. That’s because it will be riding on BMW’s future platform that is at least two years away from introduction.
Touching on other subjects, the official also confirmed that out of the 15 models launched this year by the company he’s representing, only a part will make it across the ocean. Cars like the 2 Series Active Tourer and 2 Series Gran Tourer will be left out simply because there is no demand for them in the US.
There is a market for the i8 though, an issue Mr. Willisch is trying to fix by any means necessary: “I am running around the whole world collecting cars here and there. The waiting time is still about half a year,” he said.
In a recent interview for Automotive News, BMW USA CEO, Ludwig Willisch, said that he can’t wait for the expansion of the Spartanburg plant to be over so that it can make more crossovers.
At the moment, it seems like the Germans are struggling to keep up with the demand for X3 and X5 models that are being manufactured in the US exclusively. Thanks to a $1 billion investment, the South Carolina facility will have its capacity increased from 350,000 units per year to around 450,000. Some of that money will also go into developing the new X7, a model Willisch thinks will be elementary for BMW in the US.
That’s because it will be bigger than any crossover the Bavarians are making at the moment. Think of it as a competitor for the GLS-Class from Mercedes-Benz or the more traditional Range Rover Sport.
However, the X7 won’t be released for at least three years from now, unfortunately, as Mr. Willisch himself said. That’s because it will be riding on BMW’s future platform that is at least two years away from introduction.
Touching on other subjects, the official also confirmed that out of the 15 models launched this year by the company he’s representing, only a part will make it across the ocean. Cars like the 2 Series Active Tourer and 2 Series Gran Tourer will be left out simply because there is no demand for them in the US.
There is a market for the i8 though, an issue Mr. Willisch is trying to fix by any means necessary: “I am running around the whole world collecting cars here and there. The waiting time is still about half a year,” he said.
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