BMW Japan, which is trying to fend off Toyota’s bid to sell more luxury cars in Japan, took the wraps off four new 3 series sedans on Tuesday which BMW president Jesus Cordoba said provide greater drivability, Kyodo News reported.
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The new models are offered in Japan with 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 litre engines – and are 7.5 centimetres wider to make them roomier, according to the German automaker, which regularly takes the top rank in Japan’s imported car sales chart.
The two-litre model is offered with either automatic or manual transmission, while the 2.5- and 3.0-litre models are automatic only.
BMW reportedly wants to scupper Toyota’s efforts to trump it and other foreign luxury car makers like DaimerChrysler in Japan’s luxury car segment – Toyota will bring the Lexus brand home this summer to add to its line of luxury models.
BMW has cut 10,000 yen from the price of the entry-level two-litre 3 series sedan which now costs 3,885,000 yen.
Emboldened at signs that Japan’s luxury car market is growing, Audi recently introduced the restyled A4 while DaimlerChrysler has launched restyled Mercedes-Benz models there, Kyodo News said.
