BMW GB aims to sell its facelifted 3 Series model in fewer numbers than its predecessor, writes Andrew Charman.
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According to a spokesman for the German premium maker’s British subsidiary the reason has nothing to do with the current difficult economic situation, but a deliberate aim to ease the importance of the model on annual sales figures.
The 3 Series has been BMW’s best-selling model since the first variant launched some 30 years ago. Currently the fifth generation version accounts for some 45 per cent of all BMW sales in the UK.
Last year some 28,000 3 Series saloons were sold in Britain, along with 8000 of the Touring estate model. But UK 3 Series product manager James Morrison expects the facelifted model, which launched on Saturday (20 Sept) to sell only around 25,500 saloons in 2009, its first full sales year.
“We want to pull back 3 Series volumes slightly, to take the focus a little away from the car towards our more niche models such as the X6, to widen our product range,” Morrison told just-auto. He said that such niche models would include the X6 sports crossover.
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By GlobalDataA BMW spokesman added that these niche models would include a new as-yet unannounced car set to be unveiled at next week’s Paris Motor Show, along with further models to be revealed in the next 12 months, these ensuring the further growth of BMW as a company.
The 3 Series facelift centres on changes to the styling inside and out, some revised engines and the addition of the technologies that BMW has been releasing in recent months, particularly the Efficient Dynamics Program which has greatly enhanced the brand’s environmental message.
There is also a completely new version of the iDrive cockpit control system, which boasts more functions and a hard disc drive but is said to be easier to use.
Major change among the power units is to the 330d engine which now offers 14bhp extra but with a 3.3mpg fuel economy increase and emissions cut by 8/gkm.
Andrew Charman
