While the BMW 1 Series Sedan has already been introduced in China, the company has revealed it is no rush to launch the Audi A3 Sedan rival in other key markets, Autocar UK reports.
A source told the publication the 1 Series Sedan, a joint venture with Brilliance, will solely focus on the Chinese market, where small cars with sedan body styles remain popular. By contrast, European markets have a preference for small hatchbacks instead, something that is available with the current F20 1 Series.
“There are no immediate plans to sell the 1 Series saloon outside of China. The initial signs there are quite positive,” said the source. BMW is currently carrying out a feasibility study to ascertain the benefits of selling the 1 Series Sedan globally (outside China), although it is suggested that this will involve the next generation of the four-door model.
One of the reasons for BMW’s hold back is the impact the 1 Series Sedan may have on sales of the 3 Series. “We don’t want to get into a situation like that at Audi, where the smaller model has conquest sales from the larger model,” the source explained, suggesting that although the A3 Sedan has been a success, it has also stolen sales from the A4.
With Audi already offering a model to suit the segment, and with Mercedes-Benz set to introduce an upcoming A-Class Sedan, it certainly makes sense for the Bavarian carmaker to offer something similar soon or in the near future.
With the 1 Series Sedan being a front-wheel drive model, the next 1 Series hatchback is likely to follow suit, with talk of a 2019 debut. It is rumoured that by this time, BMW will begin offering the mechanically identical 1 Series Sedan to markets outside China. Should rear-wheel drive continue to be a necessity, a GranCoupe version of the next 2 Series could be another possibility.
GALLERY: BMW 1 Series Sedan
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keep it there and give us proper rwd
gips u Optima GT rwd.
U don’t even know why you think rwd is better
so u think fwd is better?
Better or worse for? Google lah uncle. Rwd and Fwd both have pros and cons. Children also can tell you. So why do you prefer rwd? Tell us.
We Malaysians don’t care if this comes to Malaysia as we have our saviour….Geely!
Thank you Geely for saving our car industry! We appreciate you inputting intelligence and hard work into our car industry
Meanwhile toyota is sleeping. ZZZZZ
Unfortunately dun sleep as much as P1 workers
Yes. P1 workers dun come here posting crapp.
Look at what u are posting in BMW article. Non related, right?
Look at who went off tangent 1st, b4 telling me of. Im just a mirror reflecting bashers fugliness.
Correct and john is the best example, coming here to troll during lunch break
??? Lunch break at 4.40pm? I must in EU or something…
Pre-reg 1Series about 160k…
2014 BMW 320I F30
or
New ACCORD RM 143,800.
2015 mercedes c class pls
Screw this turd. FWD from bmw/merc = rubbish
I betcha when the 1 series sedan make an impact in China, they will bring it here. BMW (M) is not stupid to let a successful & profitable model to slip by M’sia.
A3 sedan is really small compared with the A4. if you’re at A3 sedan 1.4 territory or rm180k, I have another competitor rm20x,000 Option of bmw 318i. If
1 series Sedan comes to Malaysia, not sure how
It will sell and the pricing will be