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]