BMW claims that high end hatchbacks do not sell well in the United States and their opinion is mostly based on their previous experience with the 3 series (three door) compact hatchback in 1994.  Part of the reason it did not sell well (in my opinion) was due to the fact it was a scaled down, cheaper version of the very popular selling 3 series sedan and coupe and yes….a BMW hatchback in the early 1990’s may have been a little ahead of it’s time.

However, times have changed!  BMW needs to get with the program and bring the new, awesome looking BMW 1 Series 5 Door Hatchback (shown above) to U.S. shores to compete with the likes of the Audi A3 5 Door Hatch, the Volkswagen GTI Hatch, Volkswagon Golf R, Hyundai Elantra GT, Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, Mitsubishi Impreza, Mazda Speed3, Nissan Juke and the amazing Ford Focus and Ford Focus ST.

BMW should, and would be the leader in “rear wheel drive” sport hatchbacks.  Many of the 5 Door Hatch competitors listed above are off my list due to their “front wheel drive” layout.  The fact that the automotive trade publications frequently have articles about the top five or top ten “Hot Hatchbacks” of the year is proof that hatchbacks are no longer viewed as they were in the mid 1990s.

Hatchbacks provide utility, fun, sportiness, great gas mileage and have become much more popular in the U.S. then apparently BMW corporate folks realize.  Not to mention the fact that the current BMW 3 Series has become so large it is now as big (possibly bigger) than the BMW 5 Series of the mid 1990s. As I mentioned in a previous post regarding Ford Motor Company, I am very tempted to replace my current 2009 BMW 335i Sedan with the new 2013 Ford Focus Hatchback if it were not for the fact that it is a front wheel drive vehicle.  As a driving enthusiast, I just can’t seem to get over that hump….at least not yet.

BMW enthusiasts in the United States convinced the corporate folks over in Germany to bring over the BMW M3 in the 1980s and it turned out to be a big hit. This event launched the “M” craze here in the U.S. which is still going strong.  I believe this is another case that requires us to shake the BMW tree and help them make the right decision with this BMW Hot Hatch.

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– Mike McGovern
www.AutoConsignmentOfSanDiego.com