A New Dawn for BMW
Over 60 years ago, BMW introduced the Neue Klasse models that would eventually define, and save, the company. Today, the Neue Klasse name has been brought back, again to set a new direction for BMW.
This isn’t just a new design philosophy; it also includes a new approach to designing powertrains, chassis systems, and on-board technologies. All of these were first applied on the iX3, which is proving a success so far, followed by the recently introduced i3.
The Core Models Take Priority
Neue Klasse doesn’t just revolve around electric vehicles, as its philosophies will also be applied to its ICE and hybrid models. The first fuel-fed model to benefit from that will be the standard 3 Series, followed by the X5 and X7. We expect the next-generation X1, X3 LCI, the facelifted and next-gen 5 Series, as well as future 7 Series iterations.
A company-wide overhaul of that magnitude required substantial investment, which is why the Neue Klasse models will have to sell exceptionally well to recoup it. BMW is prioritizing its core models in its brand overhaul to fast-track it, meaning some of its halo models will have to take a back seat, as reported by CarSales.
Halo Models are Still Coming, But…
Now, this doesn’t mean that the M cars will be delayed. BMW is already hard at work preparing for the rollout of both gas and electric versions of the M3. Performance models are, for the most part, still on track, as far as we understand.
What BMW won’t have for the time being are niche models, namely a large coupe and convertible, as well as a roadster. Production of the Z4 has wrapped up, and the 8 Series will disappear from the lineup as soon as the last car rolls out by the end of the month. We won’t see potential successors launched immediately, as BMW says now isn’t the right time to introduce ‘brand shapers.’
SH Proshots/Autoblog
Lineup Rationalization
Speaking to CarSales, Ritu Chandy, head of BMW Group Sales Region Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, also mentioned that there will be rationalization in the company’s lineup. “There is some rationalization that is happening. There will be some models that will not have successor models in the future,” said Chandy.
What she didn’t say is which exact models won’t get a successor. That said, the 8 Series comes to mind, given that sales had basically become a trickle at this point. A new generation of the Z4 has a better chance of reaching production, but the core Neue Klasse models should sell strong enough for BMW to afford development of an all-new version of the roadster. The same goes for the planned off-road-oriented SUVs targeting the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Overall, it’s a sensible and rational move. As the saying goes, one has to spend money to make money; now isn’t the time to go for passion projects. Still, BMW says it will make special models soon, but we’ll have to wait a little longer before we see those come to life.
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