Bmw and Mercedes-Benz to bring smaller models in the United States

The vehicles that BMW and Mercedes-Benz will bring to the US will be based on platforms smaller than those currently being sold there. What BMW will bring is a new front-wheel-drive family of cars in the UKL class. UKL is an abbreviation in German for lower-compact-class cars.

Last week at the Paris Auto Show, Ian Robertson, BMW AG board member for sales and marketing, told Automotive News that it will be a “relatively big segment” because there are several body styles being offered. He didn’t provide details about the body styles BMW is developing but he confirmed that during the launch in the US, the vehicles will have a four-cylinder engine.
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dl767captain - 10/14/2010 4:24:03 PM

+6 Boost

I'm serious in asking: Does anyone really want a small, FWD, 4 cylinder BMW? Not to say it won't be successful but do we need anything smaller than the 1 series?

Deutschland - 10/14/2010 6:48:11 PM

+4 Boost

I don't..a goofy looking car like that is not what I think of when I think about BMW or Mercedes

uaw_lax - 10/14/2010 8:27:18 PM

+2 Boost

Market share is what they are out for and when Americans don't have the money they had 5 years ago they can buy prestige for less. The question is
: Will this water down the two brands?

t_bone - 10/14/2010 9:57:35 PM

+3 Boost

Not in a BMW we don't.

HardcoreMarineCorp - 10/15/2010 12:53:55 PM

+1 Boost

The 1-series is as small as BMW should go, at least here in the US. Just from personal conversations with other BMW owners, there is some sentiment that BMW should never have brought over a class below the 3-series either. Personally, I don't think that BMW needs its own version of the Honda Fit in the American market.

PUGPROUD - 10/15/2010 8:02:27 AM

+2 Boost

When a guy who spent $100K+ for his Mercedes is waiting in line for service behind a pimple faced kid with pants to the ground and his cap on sideways who spent $20K the Mercedes brand will take a hit. It is the reason why Bentley and other hyper brands are selling cars...the money guys are moving further up scale for the status and service they believe they are entitled to based on the amount of money they spent. The short term gains by going downmark will in time be more than offset by the loss in prestige.

rumnyc - 10/17/2010 10:37:41 PM

+1 Boost

People who buy 100k+ MBs and BMWs don't wait behind anyone. Get get priority in service appointments.

rumnyc - 10/17/2010 10:38:23 PM

+1 Boost

^^^^ mean they get priority in service appointments.