550i GT a Sales Flop, BMW Blames Poor Engine Options

[jeremyc74]

What the hell are these guys smoking?! Sales for the GT are horrible, and they think it's the lack of engine choices.

It appears that BMW may have overestimated the U.S. market appeal for high-end versions of the 550i Gran Turismo, and executives now acknowledge that the six-cylinder 535i probably should have been available at launch. It's not unusual for an automaker to launch an all-new model by shipping mostly loaded, top-level versions in order to absorb the maximum number of dollars from early adopters, but sometimes that approach backfires if the market isn't ready for the new vehicle.

Case in point is the 5GT, of which BMW has apparently sold fewer than 1,200 units in the U.S. since the launch of the polarizing people mover late last year. Interestingly, BMW has found that more women than expected have bought the model, while its less-than-stellar fuel consumption has hurt sales in a still-weak U.S. economy. Gran Turismo sales are apparently ahead of projections elsewhere, but those other markets launched with both gasoline and diesel inline-six engine choices.

Given that the 5GT is best suited as a road trip machine, it might make sense for BMW to install the 3.0-liter diesel from the X5 and 335d as an alternative to the twin-turbo V8. So far BMW has not indicated any plans to offer a diesel GT in America, but the less costly 535i GT is still slated to arrive in the Fall.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/r...uldve-launche/

[jibaholic101]

well they must be smoking something very strong over there at the welt.... no more v8 m3, no more v10 m5/6, FWD, 4cyl

did they maybe ever think that maybe the reason was that it is an almost 80k abomination that is ugly as sin?

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by jibaholic101

well they must be smoking something very strong over there at the welt.... no more v8 m3, no more v10 m5/6, FWD, 4cyl

did they maybe ever think that maybe the reason was that it is an almost 80k abomination that is ugly as sin?

I don't know what's going on with BMW's management. They've "lost the plot" it seems.

I'm looking at this car, just shaking my head and wonder who the hell thought this was a good idea?!

[sb335is]

LOL

haven't they done any market research? focus groups?

saw one on the freeway and shit myself.

[Misterted]

after seeing the X6 this came as no surprise.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by Misterted

after seeing the X6 this came as no surprise.

Any idea how well the X6 is selling? I haven't seen official numbers.

[06E90Rostik]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

Any idea how well the X6 is selling? I haven't seen official numbers.

To date I have seen X6 twice, excluding the dealer of course. Things are just not selling. Yet to see the 5er GT lol

[gonzo]

Poor engine options..

That's a good one. How about management man up and say it was a mistake bringing that creature to life.

The Aztek's German cousin.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by gonzo

Poor engine options..

That's a good one. How about management man up and say it was a mistake bringing that creature to life.

The Aztek's German cousin.

At least the Aztek had some potential.

[graider]

i saw x6 everywhere. must be doing great I guess.

[jopa489]

I see a good amount of X6's around, but only one 5GT to date. And I drive a lot of miles.

[bavarian19]

Originally Posted by jibaholic101

did they maybe ever think that maybe the reason was that it is an almost 80k abomination that is ugly as sin?

+1

[coh4777]

I've seen X6's out there. Not a lot but they're out there. Never once seen a 5er GT, although they ARE a lot newer. But yeah, I'm not a fan of it either.

[MrRoboto]

They haven't sold a single one in Canada. Maybe if it was AWD.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by graider

i saw x6 everywhere. must be doing great I guess.

I looked up the numbers. They've been selling 250-300 per month in the US. I'm not sure what the targets were, but that's not a lot of vehicles in what should be their biggest market.

[dragon1761]

this was the only 550i GT ive seen on the street a few wks ago. Ive seen a lot of X6 though. Then again. Ive seen RS8, Ferrari, Lambo, supra, GTR, around my neighborhood.

[TotalPower]

it's ugly- period.

[SteveMD]

I see a good number of X6s. I have yet to see a GT on the road and I work 1 minute from a BMW dealer.

It is not a good looking car.

[Feyd]

I believe I read somewhere that x6's are actually selling at their manufacturing numbers. Not so much that there is a wait list, but they are selling everything they are making?

The GT is f'ing ugly... No question. I've seen a few around Chicago. Parked on the street it isn't so bad, but driving down the road it's totally hideous. The proportions are just so terrible.

[Fapout]

You know what, I am a previous S2000 owner and used to really like the products Honda came out with (i.e. the NSX, the S2000, the CR-Z concept) and they continually pussify their line up with things like the Crosstour which is similar to the GT 550 in looks and in miserable sales, they also have made the watered down version of the CR-Z. At least BMW has their M line up and Z line they that just redesigned. Honda hasn't given the S2000 a full redesign yet and turned the CR-Z in to garbage, not to mention killed all hopes of a new NSX.

I guess what I'm saying is, my hat is off to BMW for at least trying to create and market something different while making sure the enthusiasts and loyalists have their toys to speak of, but Honda is creating one wimp-box after another and at the same time disregarding their loyal fan base of enthusiasts..

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by Fapout

You know what, I am a previous S2000 owner and used to really like the products Honda came out with (i.e. the NSX, the S2000, the CR-Z concept) and they continually pussify their line up with things like the Crosstour which is similar to the GT 550 in looks and in miserable sales, they also have made the watered down version of the CR-Z. At least BMW has their M line up and Z line they that just redesigned. Honda hasn't given the S2000 a full redesign yet and turned the CR-Z in to garbage, not to mention killed all hopes of a new NSX.

I guess what I'm saying is, my hat is off to BMW for at least trying to create and market something different while making sure the enthusiasts and loyalists have their toys to speak of, but Honda is creating one wimp-box after another and at the same time disregarding their loyal fan base of enthusiasts..

Read my mind.

A "Sports car" that is beaten at the drag by an Accord, CVT gearboxes that sound like Nissan's and no NSX after developing it so they can maintain a green image?

Soichiro must be rolling in his grave.

[Garduna]

Seen one one the road, it looks so damn fugly.......
x6 in Toronto are definately out there. I'm slowly seeing more and more x6 instead of the x5.....