It's a European Thing: BMW's Compact SUVs to Be Built in Continent

BMW's Norbert Reithofer's scheme for two new compact SUVs — one for BMW, the other for Mini — assumes Europe will be the lil buggers' primary market. The upcoming BMW X1 will be built in a European plant, and the Mini offroader will be outsourced to a third party. Speculation is on production contractor Magna Steyr, which built the first-gen BMW X3 at its Graz plant. Does that mean the minitrucks will forgo the Americas? Not sure, though we'd bet the X1 will stay home, and the Mini will show up after about two years of teasing. Of course, past results do not guarantee future performance. [via Automotive News]

7:33 AM on Fri Sep 28 2007
By Mike Spinelli
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11 comments

Comments

Heep at 08:05 AM on 09/28/07
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A Mini SUV.

What's up with these BMW heathens?
weatherman at 08:08 AM on 09/28/07
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Connectedness Index: 162
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One thing's for sure: if they do bring 'em over here, they'll be much more expensive. That exchange rate is killing imports.
rognbrow at 08:13 AM on 09/28/07
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Just how big is the market for compact SUVs going to get? With new entrants from VW, Ford, Audi, Fiat et al there better be plenty of buyers out there, on both sides of the Atlantic
FightingChance at 08:37 AM on 09/28/07
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That X1 cg makes me think of BMW trying to make their own Dodge Caliber.
docthemoose at 08:49 AM on 09/28/07
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"...in continent" Is that an editorial statement?
FreeMan at 08:54 AM on 09/28/07
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Ugh.

Dear BMW,

Please stick to sporting coupes & sedans, designed with performance, dignity & class, in that order, as your market. It's what made your name, and it's what'll keep your name.

Thanks,
The Motoring World
yellofury * * * * * at 09:12 AM on 09/28/07
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@FreeMan:
yeah but BMW is actually PROUD of what they are doing...some of the recent adverts tout that they are one of the few independent companies left that are free to design at THEIR whim and not by public interest studies..true but wouldn't it be helpful to make vehicles WE want and not what they want to make? The new X6 FTW....
obbie at 09:24 AM on 09/28/07
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i didnt know there was a need for an X1
gamble at 01:33 PM on 09/28/07
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The X3 already counts as a compact SUV right? So would that make an X1 a subcompact SUV? And if so, what would it be competing with? Like a Scion xB or something? I'm pretty sure that when you get that small you don't count as an SUV any more. You're a tall wagon.
B at 05:37 PM on 09/28/07
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@gamble: Is that a bad thing? We're getting pretty close to a 1 series hatchback with this design.
skierpage at 02:11 AM on 09/29/07
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@gamble: it seems carmakers call anything less than their biggest 7-seater a "compact SUV", like the 186-inch Ford Edge. It's ridiculous. I want a micro-CUV, no more than 170 inches.

@B: The problem with SUV vs. wagon or hatchback is the extra height for that "commanding road presence" bullshit adds weight and frontal area, hurting aerodynamics, economy, handling, and performance. Just sell the car with adjustable ride height and let me drive on 17-inch wheels while soccer moms ride on joke 20s a foot higher.