Fear not, American BMW fans, there will be no front-wheel drive cars gracing the same showroom as your proper rear-drive cars. At least not in the form of compact minivans.
BMW has decided not to bring the 2-series Active Tourer and 2-series Gran Tourer to the U.S. because they “are too small for the U.S. market,” a spokesperson told Automotive News. The company just isn’t interested in busting into the compact minivan niche currently occupied here by the Ford C-Max and the soon-to-be-dead Mazda 5.
That’s probably a wise move considering the size of the segment here and how close it touches on more profitable crossovers, although I’ve admitted if anyone could sell Americans on this type of vehicle, it would be BMW.
But U.S. BMW dealers won’t be free from front-wheel drive for much longer. The next-generation X1 is reportedly coming late this year, and that will be based on the same platform as the above Tourers and the new Minis.
Again, BMW fans, just keep breathing.
Photo Gallery
