2 Series Active Tourer 01
Bruce Newton18 Sept 2017
NEWS

BMW may cut 2 Series Active Tourer

Australian boss flags possible cull of unpopular models

The future of the controversial BMW 2 Series Active Tourer appears in serious doubt in Australia as the German luxury car maker prepares to rationalise its local range ahead of an influx of new models.

Launched here in late 2014, the small people-mover stirred controversy and comment because it was the first front-wheel drive vehicle from a car company that had previously declared it would never venture down such a path.

Based on the same UKL architecture as BMW-owned Mini, the Active Tourer has failed to garner much sales support, selling only 427 examples so far in 2017.

The UKL-based X1 compact SUV has followed the Active Tourer on-sale in Australia, but the front/all-wheel drive wagon is selling strongly and in no danger of local extinction. An X2 SUV also based on UKL is scheduled to launch soon.

The Active Tourer is also an orphan in the 2 Series line-up, which is otherwise composed of rear-wheel drive sports models including the 2016 motoring.com.au best driver’s car the M2 coupe.

BMW RANGEDAY M2 646 vna7

Speaking at the Frankfurt motor show last week, BMW development chief Klaus Frohlich effectively confirmed the next generation 2 Series would be rear-wheel drive.

The confirmation of the local rationalisation was made by BMW Australia managing director Marc Werner.

“I believe our product range at the moment is probably too wide,” said Werner. “We have got to do some homework there.

“At the moment it is too complex, so we got to reduce that complexity and we are currently looking into that. That means, overall, the amount of cars we are offering, the derivatives, the engines and the like.”

Asked specifically about the Active Tourer, Werner said:

“There is a clear trend going toward an SUV and our strength is certainly on the SUV side and we will focus even more on the SUVs.

“We’ll have an X2 coming at the beginning of next year, which we haven’t seen in Frankfurt, which is another fantastic car.

“That raises questions about what we do with some other cars.”

New X3 on display at 2017 Frankfurt motor show

The model rush coming from BMW starts with the X3 in November, and the new 6 Series due around the same time. The new-gen M5 and facelifted i3 electric car arrive in quarter one of 2018.

Further out vehicles shown as concepts at the Frankfurt show will be coming soon; the 8 Series, the seven-seat X7 SUV and the new-generation Z4.

Among all that lot Werner sees huge sales potential for the X3 mid-size SUV, which expands its production base from one to three plants for the third generation. That frees up local supply from the traditional Spartanburg (USA) source and potentially gives it a shot at overtaking big brother X5 as BMW’s biggest selling local model.

Giving it further impetus, BMW will also expand the model line-up for the X3, adding the 40i M Performance model, while a full-blown X3 M is also on the agenda and soon to be confirmed.

“The X3, I believe, will be as successful if not more successful than the current X5. We have put in solid requests as far as production is concerned and thankfully the company is accommodating as far as capacity requests.”

The X3 will lob into the heart of the booming prestige SUV sectors, taking on the new Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC and the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

“Despite being in run-out X3 sales volume are at an all-time high in Australia. We have always been volume-limited so the demand for that car has always been bigger than what the factory could supply and now we have the production capacity to supply what is required.”

Upcoming model launches from BMW Australia:
1 and 2 series update – September
X3 new generation – November
6 Series GT – November
M5 new generation – Q1 2018
I3 facelift – Q1 2018
i8 Roadster - 2018

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