One of the most critical vehicles in the BMW portfolio is the X5 sport-utility vehicle. It is one of those products that cannot be messed up. Especially now.
And that's why I think the company played it safe when it released its all-new X5 several years ago. Largely the exterior design remained the same; however, detail-obsessed nuts like myself noticed the key differences. Hell, even the inside didn't get many changes.
Looking at the company's sales figures at the time, the last-gen X5 was actually selling MORE units towards the end of its lifecycle. That's inverse to what usually happens during a vehicle's lifespan — as products get stale the sales drop off.
Now though it's clear that the Bavarians are feeling the heat as more competition comes online. Just THINK: The Jaguar F-Pace, the Maserati Levante, next-gen Porsche Cayenne, etc.
According to our friends in Australia, BMW is planning on short cycling the X5 and then the all-new X7 will come online shortly thereafter. Our friends at Motoring suggest that we'll see the all-new X5 in late 2017 with the X7 out and about in 2018.
Given that BMW is MISSING OUT on a huge seven-seater luxury market, we think this fast track is the way to go.
What say you, Spies?
...The Bavarian car-maker last month forecast the big new X7 will find 50,000 buyers annually worldwide from 2018, and Australia will be one of its largest markets.
Speaking to motoring.com.au at the MkII X1 local launch last October, BMW Group Australia managing director Marc Werner said the company’s new seven-seat SUV flagship will be popular among Australian families looking for more space in a luxury SUV...
...“The launch date of the all-new X5 is yet to be confirmed but if you look at the lifecycle of the product and the announcement that we made regarding the X7, we’ll see an all-new X series product line-up in the coming years, so we’re talking in the mid-term,” he said...
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