Again, this is just about choice, those people obviously prefer the X6 to the X5.. BMW have offered them a product, and they have taken it... I don't see it as a bad thing. Afterall, the X6 is a good car!
I do agree its not a good thing that the GT replace the tourer in the US, but BMW have made that decision based on sales figures.. I'm not trying to offensive, but the impression I get is Americans are their own worst enemy when it comes to cars, they often miss out good stuff because to many of them are stuck in their ways... Diesels, Hatch-backs, Tourers (Station Wagons), the fact is 5 tourers in the US don't sell that well.
Americans are not 'stuck in our ways' nor should anyone be offended by what you have said.
In the US, we have some draconian regulations regarding cars & engines. Diesels have to meet some strict standards, however, those may change in lieu of a revelation that the people who set the standard, basically California, screwed up...big time.
We don't get the good stuff b/c all US cars have to have airbags in the seat. All US cars have to have ABS, stability management, and other passive safety devices that would make the exportation of some European cars cost too much to make business sense.
What's the point of exporting, say, a 1000 or so Focus RS models if you have to change the seats, the emissions equip, and spend who knows how much to have that car crash tested, EPA tested, etc, etc, etc. Lots of bureaucracy, UAW (union) 2-fleet rules, and expenses in bringing in a new/different car to the US market.
Also, the roads in the US are much different than in Europe. Vast wide expressways pretty much connect the entire country and most are quite smooth. That's why automatics, big V8's, and boat-like handling is somewhat the norm as a true 'sport' suspension would leave most drivers quite tired.
Station wagons don't really sell in the US for 2 reasons;
1. Women like to 'feel' safe in a car - so they buy higher riding & heavier SUVs which hold the same amount of cargo.
2. Young families prefer car based mini-vans b/c of ease of access, lots of space, and perceived safety.
There may be a small niche for a wagon/estate in the US - but everyone who's tried has failed. If you need that much space; SUVs are perceived as being safer and mini-vans are more convenient.
The BMW M3 quasi-hatch mutant thing will not go over well. Sports cars are usually toys and not used daily, so why would you want a 4-door sedan when the 2-door version looks better? In the circumstance that you need a car with more passenger space, chances are you have another car or can use your spouse's.
Sell M3's and only offer a coupe. Seems like the accounting dept/committee thought this brilliant idea up to sort out their books.
We still don't know what it looks like yet though.
