Mexi Spec: BMW 2 Series Production Likely Moving South of the Border
While the current-generation BMW 2 Series isn’t ready for the grave, the company intends to put its next incarnation into assembly by 2021. That’s ages away for a consumer but precious little time for an automaker to make production decisions.
Likely spooked by potential trade issues looming over the horizon, BMW is reportedly considering shifting the America-bound 2 Series to a Mexican plant — specifically, the company’s new San Potosi facility, home of the new 3 Series.
According to BMW Blog, which usually has the straight scoop on the firm, the decision is all but final — given that the next-gen coupe also makes use of the company’s CLAR architecture. That said, there isn’t much in the company’s American lineup that won’t use the modular platform within a few years.
The rear-drive 2 Series is said to go on sale in the latter half of 2021, with a new front-drive-biased 2 Series Gran Coupe launching in late 2019 as a 2020 model-year vehicle. Beyond the name, the pair are unlikely to have much in common. The Gran Coupe will utilize the brand’s UKL platform, used by members of the Mini brand, and basically be the sedan version of BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer.
It’s a supremely confusing naming strategy, but odds are good the ULK-based 2 Series will stay out of the United States (unless the brand thinks the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan is getting too much attention). BMW just needs to decide which of its CLAR-based models will offer a manual transmission and all-wheel drive. It has already said it would do away with the convertible 2 Series due to lower-than-expected demand and focus on bringing a very performance-focused, rear-wheel drive hardtop. BMW development chief Klaus Frohlich even referred to it as a “drift machine” last month.
[Image: BMW Group]
Consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulations. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, he has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed about the automotive sector by national broadcasts, participated in a few amateur rallying events, and driven more rental cars than anyone ever should. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and learned to drive by twelve. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer and motorcycles.
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MY DEVICE IS RUNNING CRITICALLY LOW ON MEMORY! Thanks TTAC!
More relevant to the NA market, this is the sedan version of the X1/X2. Also, it most definitely will be sold in North America. BMW has said so.