The 3-series is the lifeblood of BMW’s UK range, according to product planning head Carl Sanderson.
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“Last year in the UK we had all time record sales of 102,200 vehicles and the old 3 series accounted for over half of these, 54,000 vehicles in fact,” he said at the launch of right hand drive models to British journalists in Spain.
“However as we now having a growing range of new types of models allowing us to compete in additional sectors, models such as the 1 series, X3, and X5, so our reliance on the 3 series is becoming less. Although our overall UK sales will grow we expect the new 3 series’ total sales to remain roughly the same” he said.
Sanderson added, “The UK is BMW’s third largest market in the world after the USA and Germany. Overall our range in the UK attracts a 50-50 split between petrol and diesel sales but the 3 series diesel now takes around 65% of sales and we expect this to continue once the full range is on sale. Initially we are introducing 3 Series Saloon models with the 320d, the main seller, the 320i and 330i”.
“We will also introduce 318 petrol and diesel models. Later this year the 3 series Touring [wagon] models will go on sale and next year the coupe will be introduced followed by the convertible in 2007. An M3 will also become available but this series will have no Compact versions,” said Sanderson.
He added, “Traditionally the corporate market accounts for the majority of 3 series UK sales and we expect 70% of the new models to be bought with company money”.
The redesigned 3-series is the fifth generation of a model line launched 30 years ago creating what is known as the compact executive segment. It replaced BMW’s famous 2002 model range.
BMW said that, prior to 1998, this segment was dominated by sales from non-premium manufactures such as Peugeot, Ford, Citroen and Vauxhall but since then premium models from BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Jaguar have dominated the sector as business buyers have moved up-market in their requirements.
UK sales begin on 12 March, less than a week after continental Europe sales began. Prices range initially from £21,090 to £28,455. More variants will follow including a new low-priced entry model.
