You just have to wonder WHAT IF (?) in these kinds of situations.
THINK: A large percentage of U.S. luxury sales are in the sport-utility vehicle or truck space, even though their efficiency is not quite there when compared to their sedan counterparts. Face it, Americans love their big, brawny SUVs.
And BMW has recognized that drivers DO want all-wheel drive options. The 3-Series, 5-Series, 6-Series and range-topping 7 all now offer all-wheel drive variants.
You have to give a round of a applause to manufacturers, like Audi and Subaru, who have really convinced the markets with spending power that their one to two inches of ice and snow can be TREACHEROUS unless motorists are equipped with Quattro or Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. This notion spread like wildfire throughout the auto community.
But if there's one thing we've learned from sales trends, it's that American consumers still want their space even in the wake of exobitant gas prices.
Look at luxury brands like Cadillac, whose Escalade was the vehicle that revived the brand and Lincoln, who's banking on the MKT to replace the legendary Town Car.
If BMW were to build an X7, would it be reasonable to expect the same success it's seen with the X5, or say Porsche has seen with the Cayenne?