EnI

BMW Group Introducing New Models for China


09.10.2006

Munich/Beijing. Introducing new high-class Business Saloons, the BMW Group is enlarging its range of models for the Chinese market. These new models are Long Wheelbase versions of the successful BMW 5 Series specially developed by the German premium carmaker and will be presented for the first time at the international Auto China 2006 Motor Show in Beijing (18 - 27 November, 2006).
The new BMW 530 Li, BMW 525 Li, and BMW 523 Li have been specially developed for the particular demands and requirements of the Chinese automobile market, combining sporting driving characteristics with superior interior comfort. A stylish ambience inside the car is ensured by high-quality Dakota leather on the seats and door linings. The BMW 525Li and BMW 530Li also come as standard with a newly developed rear console complete with an integrated entertainment system with a DVD-player, eight-inch screens fitted in a console on the back of the front seats, as well as a cooling box.
The most striking feature when looking at the new BMW 5 Series Saloon from outside is no doubt the extension of the car's wheelbase by 140 millimetres, all of this extra space being provided between the B- and C-pillars. This increase in size benefits the passengers at the rear, with the new, Long Wheelbase BMW 5 Series offering an unprecedented standard of grand touring comfort.
The new models are powered by straight-six power units ranging in output from 130 kW/177 hp to 190 kW/258 hp.
The new BMW 5 Series Long Wheelbase for the Chinese market was developed at BMW's Development Headquarters in Munich, creating outstanding models specifically tailored in their overall concept to the Chinese market while at the same time fulfilling all of BMW's demanding standards and requirements. Production of the new Saloons is at the Shenyang Plant in the Province of Liaoning in the north-east of China, which also builds the BMW 3 Series for the Chinese market.
The BMW Group has been represented in China since 1994 and has consistently expanded its operation and engagement over the years. In May 2004 the BMW Group and Brilliance China Automotive opened their joint plant in Shenyang, and shortly thereafter BMW established a separate Sales Region for China also including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, in order to boost sales to an even higher level.
BMW has achieved enormous growth in the Chinese market in recent years, with sales increasing in the first half of 2006 by approximately 66 per cent to almost 18,000 units, making China BMW's fastest-growing country in percentage terms.
China now ranks high up as the world's second most important sales market for the BMW 7 Series.



Source: BMW Press

dOmInIX

Awesome interior! Chinese will like it!

siko

I wonder if there would be other markets other than China where it could be viable?

EnI

Very simple answer: NO.

The car will be made in China only ... for China only.

BMW had no plans to develop 5er LWB until they saw a huge success of Audi A6 LWB - a model that is responsible for skyrocketing Audi sales in China. Now also BMW are finally entering the real game in Chinese market ...

Mr. M

Why wouldn't it be viable in other places in the world other than China?

Well, let me attempt to answer my own question... I think the price disparity between the A6/5 and the A8/7 is very large, so that makes it sensible to get LWB versions of the A6 and 5 Series.