BMW N.A. bosses admit mistake launching 5-Series GT with V8

BMW 535i GT xDrive 25.05.2010

Only 1,143 GTs have been sold

BMW's North American sales boss, Rich Brekus, has officially confirmed the obvious - launching an overpriced, stylistically challenged, V8-powered, segment bender during a recession is a bad idea.

Speaking with Automotive News, Brekus said "The V-8 was probably not the right car to launch it with." His sentiments were echoed by Jim O'Donnell, BMW's North American CEO, who stated the company was "too ambitious with the 550 GT."

So how bad are GT sales in the United States? Not good, but a few notches above dismal. BMW managed to sell 1,143 GTs, which means it outperformed sales of the 2009 5-Series wagon but didn't meet initial expectations.

O'Donnell is hoping the situation will improve when BMW launches the 535 GT and the 550 GT xDrive but cautioned "This time next year, we'll tell you if it's successful or not."

Source: autonews.com (sub req)

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Comments (25)

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mmr66

this car is a mistake bmw never should have made it.

May 25, 2010 11:30 am

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GRMNX

im sorry but this is the ugliest bmw since the x3

May 25, 2010 11:33 am

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5 replies

abukamal

Agree

May 25, 2010 12:21 pm

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najdier

Second ugliest. A slightly milder eyesore than the X3.

May 25, 2010 2:20 pm

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9TNine

I think the 1-series and X3 are ugly!

May 25, 2010 2:37 pm

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AlikMalix

It's details are good, the overall shape is weirdly wrong, but I guess it's designed with function in mind... It did "outperformed sales of the 2009 5-Series wagon".. which says something, right?

May 25, 2010 3:49 pm

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stevencldr

With their major competitors being Mercedes and Audi, why would BMW release something so hideous. MB and Audi are releasing cars that get better and better looking with each iteration. BMW seems to be doing the opposite. I love BMW's, but seriously enough is enough. I just defected to Audi and aesthetics were definitely part of the decision...

May 25, 2010 11:59 pm

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archytype

Considering it's low North American production volume the car has become alot more attractive. If the price drops it looks tastier than candy.

May 25, 2010 11:33 am

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my-wage.com

well I can not imagine, how can a company (and a designer group), who are able to invent the new 5-series, design such an ugly and good-for-nothing vehicle the top feature is the 2-part trunk door, I can not decide if I shoud cry or ROTFL LMFAO

May 25, 2010 12:10 pm

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1nsider

what a ridiculous p.o.s. Clearly, the brass at BMW NA should grow a set and prevent these european luxo-wagons from littering our landscape.

May 25, 2010 12:12 pm

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wjaprep

u think he wuldve noticed how the E350, 535i, etc alweighs out sale their V8 brothers...

May 25, 2010 1:16 pm

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mphillips12000

So: BMW tries to build a SAAB 900 and fails.

May 25, 2010 2:26 pm

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2010S5

The wording is hilarious: "officially confirmed the obvious - launching an overpriced, stylistically challenged, V8-powered, segment bender during a recession is a bad idea." What about RWD. Who wants a RWD utility vehicle.

May 25, 2010 2:55 pm

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Renegade

This whole car is a huge mistake BMW.

May 25, 2010 3:59 pm

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Moko

sometimesion people's ability to qualify something as ure...it is selling more than the 5 series touring, other carmakers are following down the same pathe so where is the failure here?

May 25, 2010 4:22 pm

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CarLife

All of us could've told them not to make it before they even made it.

May 25, 2010 6:53 pm

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clash_189

The problem is not the car but the engine option, who still want to buy a V8 this day except they really need such power. The 3.0 turbocharged is the best engine to suit this car, but that is only if you can't get the 3.0diesel version. The ugliness only appears on the surface but inside, it is basically quite good as 7s. So it is only an idiot decision point from BMW NA to bring the upper model first just like BMW OZ that only offers the turbo petrol for launching and need to wait for a few months before the 2.0 diesel will be on showroom

May 25, 2010 8:37 pm

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1 reply

Xenicide

Wrong. You're looking at this from a Euro's point of view. We Americans love our powerful engines. Except the tree huggers, no one gives a damn about them. This car looks way better in person than it does in pictures. Pictures don't do it justice. There's a few of the 550GT's around where I live, and trust me, the people that can afford a vehicle like this aren't going to be phased by gas consumption.

May 26, 2010 9:40 pm

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awhk

It outsold 2009 5 series wagen because the wagen was near it's end of cycle. Someone should try and compare the 5GT and E60 wagan sale for their own launch period. Can't resist but damn this thing is fugly.

May 25, 2010 8:56 pm

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1 reply

5wgn

The 05' E61 Wagon - first full year it was sold in the U.S. sold 2350 units... So about double this piece of crap.

November 4, 2010 1:15 pm

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Steaming BOV

I know almost everyone out there says it's an ugly looking car..I seem to find it attractive and out of the ordinary..P.S. this is coming from a non-BMW liking guy..am more off a Merc guy :)

May 26, 2010 1:57 am

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mb74

My friend once caught his nob in his jeans and the resulting injury looked better than this car.

May 26, 2010 4:46 am

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mb74

ok, ok...It was me, though it still doesn't change the message.

May 26, 2010 4:47 am

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ne1butu

I don't find it ugly, but it is as bland as a Camry. I don't know what's worse, being revolting or being invisible.

May 26, 2010 7:13 am

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Ozmaceis

If this is the new DNA for BMW, then there needs to be a LOT more chlorine in the gene pool. Hopefully, BMW's days of building dignified and elegant automobiles isn't over, but I have to worry. This makes Bangle's designs look attractive and well-proportioned. I have an immense repect for BMW, but if this is the way forward, I'll be heading towards the other big German manufacturer.

May 27, 2010 2:05 am

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