BMW Canada’s president, Franz Jung, invited a padre of journalists to its spanking new headquarters this week, for a briefing on the automaker’s sales performance so far this year, and for lunch.
This was my first visit to the new digs, which looks impressive, as befitting an automaker that seems to be on the top of its game, both here in Canada and around the world.
Jung noted that the building has set a benchmark for BMW head office facilities, and receives many curious BMW managers from other countries. Among its novel features is an all-glass side that evokes a vehicle’s windscreen.
In 2009, BMW once again topped rival, Mercedes-Benz, as the top-selling premium-brand automaker Canada. But after almost a decade of being on top, Jung conceded that the rankings for 2010 may see the positions reversed.
With just less than a quarter of a year to go, BMW trails Mercedes-Benz by about one thousand units. While Jung noted that the gap could be closed, he’s not guaranteeing it…
The only thing he’s guaranteeing is that BMW will not spend as much on incentives as it did in the fourth quarter of 2009, and if that means second place so be it.
Jung noted that competitors to its 3 Series sedan and X3 SUV models are squeezing BMW’s volumes currently. Both those nameplates are well into their product cycles, while Mercedes-Benz has fresh C Class and GLK models, and Audi has newly-minted A5 and Q5 models.
The 2011 BMW X3 will help things out, when it arrives at Canadian dealerships this January, but the new-generation 3 Series is still years away (2013).
To bolster the 3 Series proposition, BMW just introduced the 323i Luxury Edition, which features an option package designed specifically for us value-conscious Canadians. Priced at $37,650, the vehicle features automatic, sunroof, power seats, Bluetooth and USB, 17-alloy wheels, black leatherette, and your choice of three exterior colours (Jet Black, Alpine White, Space Gray).
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| Photo: Mike Goetz/Auto123.com |
This was my first visit to the new digs, which looks impressive, as befitting an automaker that seems to be on the top of its game, both here in Canada and around the world.
Jung noted that the building has set a benchmark for BMW head office facilities, and receives many curious BMW managers from other countries. Among its novel features is an all-glass side that evokes a vehicle’s windscreen.
In 2009, BMW once again topped rival, Mercedes-Benz, as the top-selling premium-brand automaker Canada. But after almost a decade of being on top, Jung conceded that the rankings for 2010 may see the positions reversed.
With just less than a quarter of a year to go, BMW trails Mercedes-Benz by about one thousand units. While Jung noted that the gap could be closed, he’s not guaranteeing it…
The only thing he’s guaranteeing is that BMW will not spend as much on incentives as it did in the fourth quarter of 2009, and if that means second place so be it.
Jung noted that competitors to its 3 Series sedan and X3 SUV models are squeezing BMW’s volumes currently. Both those nameplates are well into their product cycles, while Mercedes-Benz has fresh C Class and GLK models, and Audi has newly-minted A5 and Q5 models.
The 2011 BMW X3 will help things out, when it arrives at Canadian dealerships this January, but the new-generation 3 Series is still years away (2013).
To bolster the 3 Series proposition, BMW just introduced the 323i Luxury Edition, which features an option package designed specifically for us value-conscious Canadians. Priced at $37,650, the vehicle features automatic, sunroof, power seats, Bluetooth and USB, 17-alloy wheels, black leatherette, and your choice of three exterior colours (Jet Black, Alpine White, Space Gray).
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| 2011 BMW X3 (Photo: BMW) |
