Quote:
Originally Posted by CSBM5
F30 3-series has a longer wheelbase than the first 7-series and just a bit shorter. It is now a big car. The marketplace is voting with Audi, just look at how successful their new A3 is so far, and it appears to not have taken any share away from the A4.
In the meantime, Audi and Merc will continue to clean up in the small sedan market while BMW scrambles to counter their success.
|
By modern standards, the 3-series is still a small car. A RWD car much smaller does not have usable rear seat space - my e91 is marginal at best back there. The A3 is a Golf in sedan clothing (and the CLA is an A/B-class), and is much less expensive to build than a 2-series. The only way BMW could compete is with a FWD car based on their new platform. Which is fine with me, but I can just imagine the wailing and gnashing of teeth that will result if/when they sell it in the States. I am betting they likely will not sell one here, to maintain their "pure" brand image.