While the BMW 1 Series Sedan has already been
introduced in China, the company has revealed it is no rush to launch in other key markets.
The 1 Series Sedan, a joint
venture with Brilliance, will solely focus on the Chinese market, where small
cars with sedan body styles remain popular. By contrast, European markets have
a preference for small hatchbacks instead, something that is available with the
current F20 1 Series.
One of the reasons for BMW’s hold back is the impact
the 1 Series Sedan may have on sales of the 3 Series.
With Audi already offering a model to suit the
segment, and with Mercedes-Benz set to introduce an upcoming A-Class Sedan, it
certainly makes sense for the Bavarian carmaker to offer something similar soon
or in the near future.
With the 1 Series Sedan being a front-wheel drive
model, the next 1 Series hatchback is likely to follow suit, with talk of a
2019 debut. It is rumoured that by this time, BMW will begin offering the
mechanically identical 1 Series Sedan to markets outside China. Should
rear-wheel drive continue to be a necessity, a GranCoupe version of the next 2
Series could be another possibility.
