BMW’s decision to launch front-wheel-drive minivans seems to be paying off in terms of sales despite upsetting many diehard BMW fans at its launch.
The 2-series Active Tourer/Grand Tourer models were the third-best selling compact minivans in the EU and EFTA markets through September, beating mass-market rivals such as the Renault Scenic, Ford C-Max and premium rival Mercedes’ B class. Only the Citroen C4 Picasso and VW Touran outsold the BMW models.
BMW deliberated about entering a sector dominated by mass-market brands and far removed from the premium marque’s sporty rear-wheel-drive models that promise the ‘Joy of Driving.’
In Europe, the launch of the minivans has paid of in terms of unit sales and financially. The 2-series Active Tourer has the highest average price of any competitor in the segment at 35,688 euros, according to JATO Dynamics’s data for Europe’s five biggest markets in the first half. Both the Active Tourer and the seven-seat Grand Tourer are built on BMW’s UKL front-wheel-drive platform, which also underpins new Mini models.
Best-selling compact minivans in Europe through Sept. with % change
- Volkswagen Touran 88,169 +63
- Citroen C4 Picasso/Grand Picasso 85,390 -1
- BMW 2-series AT/GT 77,644 +26
- Ford C-Max/Grand C-Max 64,016 +1
- Mercedes B class 56,325 -10
