BMW Reveals Strategy Plans to 2020

It's always great to read about the future plans of automotive brands in the upcoming future,

especially when new and vital information is part of the story. It's even better when the content comes straight from the head honcho of the automaker. Point in case is the information BMW's CEO Norbert Reithofer revealed to the media this past week regarding the plans for the BMW group of products from now until 2020, in a highly detailed strategy.

Several vehicles which we had assumed that BMW will produce have officially been confirmed. For instance, the gorgeous Concept CS grand touring sedan, the coupe-like vehicle that debuted at this year's Shanghai motor show will indeed be produced and what's more is that it will be based off of the next-generation 7-Series sedan. BMW will also be growing and shrinking the X-Series Sports Activity lineup simultaneously with the introduction of the 1-Series based X1. Like the X3 did for the compact SUV market, look for this new little gaffer to spur competitors into the B-segment.

Moving way up the scale, the Rolls-Royce lineup will gain two additional family members, the first of which will be a two-door coupe. This comes as little surprise as Rolls-Royce has just put the Phantom Drophead Coupe into production, so a fixed roof version would be the next logical progression. A smaller Rolls-Royce will also be on the table, though it will be based off of the next-generation 7-Series platform rather than a complete standalone vehicle as is the case with the Phantom, following Bentley's lead with its Continental series that shares its general architecture with the VW Phaeton.

From mid and big, we now hear about small with the Mini brand. We've spoken at great length about a Mini crossover or SUV, and it too has been confirmed. The so-called “Colorado” will help BMW grow out the Mini range in a big way. It will also be one of the key reasons why BMW is considering

expanding the Oxford, England production facility, now needed to accommodate the extra production volume. The plant is expected to gain 100,000 units of volume by 2012 from the current 140,000 units of yearly production.

What BMW won't be doing is the so-called “F-series” crossover wagon, the vehicle lineup that was designed to compete with the Mercedes-Benz R-Class. BMW will still be doing a crossover vehicle, and reported is in favor of something dubbed, “Progressive Activity Sedan”. From what we understand, the PAS will be linked, much like the new Rolls and grand touring sedan to the next-generation 7-Series platform. It should be a fairly exciting concept, as it's been described as being able to, “establish an entirely new segment and introduce a unique interpretation of the sedan.”

Key to BMW's plans for success are, obviously, production volumes. BMW hopes to have its total multi-brand sales accumulate a total of 1.8 million units by 2012. With cars like the 1-Series Coupe, the Cooper Clubman, plus these new models, BMW shouldn't have any trouble achieving its goals.