Quote:
Originally Posted by LJKelley
Its not just the engine, but the body that needs to be pass US standards.
Crash testing for example (as EU crash tests are different). And other safety standards, such as lights etc...
Thats why there are subtle differences from the US 3 series to the EU 3 series for example.
|
That's true.
I think the idea to go ahead and federalize it and then sell it per customer order is a good idea.
It'll simply cost BMW a few cars for testing and crashing.
Once that is done BMW can gauge the desire by the number ordered, and then decide if they want to actually stock these cars on dealer lots.
Heck they met the standards for the 1M, which also had to be crashed to pass, just so they could sell less than a thousand of them.
And, it's no longer available for sale.
I'm sure BMW can sell at least that many 1 hatch's if not more on an order only basis.
Audi sells the A3 hatch, and they are saying they will bring a new A3 coupe and maybe even a sedan.
BMW typically outsells Audi, so why does it makes sense for Audi to offer a hatch and not BMW?
There seems to be no good reason coming from BMW on this question.