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And when BMW realizes the few thousand E61 owners aren't going to buy a 5er GT or an X5 to replace their E61 someday, and instead go buy a Merc E-Class, I assume they won't be surprised, as they have already decided those customers aren't important. Good to know this federalization process is so expensive that such decisions have to be made.
But hey, BMW never makes a bad decision, right?
Then again, the 3-series is getting so big maybe that will replace the 5er wagon in the states....
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Do not think that BMW are just looking at the sales numbers to determine the decision. There are several overall factors aswell to consider.
in response to the Touring we looked at many areas.
The majority of E61 owners have actually stayed with the brand. As I mentioned a larger percentage went for the X5 , X6 or X3 with the rest migrating to a 5er , 7er or even a 5er GT - Dont forget look at the 5er GT forum to see how customers enjoy that car.
The migrating to other brands is not as great as everyone was making it out to be. BMW customers still prefer BMW's and very few customers went with other brands and not for wagons.
Looking at competitors to the Touring - Audi had the same problem as BMW - The Q SUV's were being chosen instead of the Avant. Audi has since removed the A6 Avant from the US. Volvo had the same problem with the XC60 and XC90 outselling the relative Wagon choices.
Mercedes-Benz T-Modell is not selling due to the discounts on the current outgoing ML-Klasse and when the new ML-Klasse arrives soon , expect the same outcome. The C-Klasse T-Modell is not offered in the US.
It is not just a general "they are not getting it" transition. Every option is considered and what many people seem to forget is that choices offered by BMW or indeed anyother manufacturer are not specifically related to success in North America. BMW is a global manufactuer and as a business it has to appeal to customers on a global scale.
Sadly within this you do see specific trends in certain markets and the wagon market in North America is one trend that shows US customers prefer SAV's over wagons. There is nothing that can stop that progression because it comes down to choice.
BMW will not be reverse federalizing the F11 because they see no justification in spending money in doing so just so that it can sit in a showroom or sell in small handfulls as before. The F31 is probably coming to the US allbeit in 328i only with optional xDrive and that will provide the test whether there is a market. But if sales are not responding as the current model then there will no more BMW Tourings in the USA.
BMW always does it's homework. It is surprising how many do not realise that.