BMW owners looking to add a Bavarian-badged pickup will need to look elsewhere, as the automaker has no intention to market such a vehicle.
The declaration comes from BMW Group Asia, Pacific and South Africa senior vice president Hendrik von Kuenheim, Motoring.com.au reports. Von Kuenheim spelled out why utes and trucks will never have a place in his company’s collection:
There is huge potential in pick-ups. In North America you look at the Ford F-150 pick-up it is the best-selling car.
You can do it but then you cannot be BMW. You have to be a different company, but this company is not ready to change from the ultimate driving machine and the ultimate successful company in luxury to a mass manufacturer who goes after the volume of pick-up trucks.
He did acknowledge BMW’s ongoing presence in the crossover/SUV market, as well as the introduction of front-wheel drive and three-cylinder engines to the brand, yet reiterated the fact those moves were accomplished by remaining true to its core values “of joy, dynamics and innovation.”
The proclamation follows an announcement in March by Mercedes of its intent to build a 1-ton pickup based upon the Nissan Navara, set to hit most showrooms around the globe by early 2019 as the GLT-Class.
[Photo credit: Drew Stephens/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0]
Start it Off : I tonne is minimum payload 2,200lbs. Unlike Mercedes,BMW is not involved with Commercial Vehicles, Vans or Heavy Trucks. Mercedes is the biggest Heavy Truck manuafacturer Globally
The aftermarket will handle it!
I’m sure someone can make a nice 335-Camino.
Actually, BMW itself did an El Camino-esque one-off of the E92 M3.
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/01/bmw-m3-pickup/
Sadly, ’twas not meant for production.
Always play the snooty card when asked about competing in the big leagues.
Von Kuenheim: “BMW will never make a front-wheel drive car.” (^_^)…
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This is probably the one segment BMW is not competing in.
Despite the denials, I bet it won’t be long before there is a version of the X6 with a short cargo bed, like a miniature Chevy Avalanche or Subaru Baja. After the GT and Gran Coupe models, it’s the next logical step.
Yet once upon a time BMW DID market pickups…
https://www.flickr.com/photos/robertlz/3956005705/
Wait…no M3-mino?
http://dailyderbi.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/05-bmw-m3-pickup-kgp-mar.jpg
Never say never
Will this one roll coal?
(Too soon?)
BMW will be chomping at the bit when the Land Rover Defender pick up truck gets launched in the US…