BMW is expecting the new fifth generation 7-series to be the best-selling generation of the model.

Speaking at the international press launch of the car at the new BMW Museum yesterday evening, technology director, Klaus Draeger, said that the  7-series was the most important car in the luxury segment and that it would attract customers away from other brands.

The first 7 series was launched in 1976 and since then the company has sold 1.2m units. The fourth generation was the most successful generation with global sales of 344,000 units. 35% of sales were in the US, 15% in China and 13% in Germany.

Production of the car starts in September and will go on sale in November. A hybrid version is due one year after the car is first launched.

Chief executive Norbert Reithofer ruled out building the car in the US, reported Automobilwoche. “The flagship model must come from Germany,” he said. The car will be build in Dingolfing.