[Guna]

I came across this news link which mentions that the most compact SUV from BMW, X1 may be launched in India soon at 25-35 lakhs.
BMW to launch affordable SUV; new bigger X3 also on the cards- Companies-The Sunday ET-Features-The Economic Times
Very interesting crossover indeed. Forester fans will like this.

[aaggoswami]

There will be a dent in sales of Fortuner as those buying Fortuner for image will prefer to go in for BMW badge. The pricing is going to affect VW passat also. Fortuner has its own strength like 7 seater capacity, relatively lower cost of spares ( this is an assumption as I have seen that spares cost of BMW, Merc and Audi are really high ) and availability of service centers.

BMW will also not be able to offroad as well as Fortuner which is built for rough roads.
But the biggest loss to Toyota will be losing customers who are in waiting list. They will happily shift to BMW IMHO.

Good news, but they must give proper powertrains unlike X3 which initially came only with one engine.

[Sudan_NFS]

It's good move but I feel comparing Fortuner and Captiva is of no use when they sell by a 5 lakhs less than what BMW quoted and their ORD price will be less by 2 lakhs.If BMW wants really to generate volumes then,they have to price it at 19-20 lakhs ex showroom.They can do it easily by CKD + some % of localization.

Honda has to do some thing to save CRV. else CRV sales will be 0 when X1 come

[1-Testosterone]

BMW < 20L will lose it's badge value. They will not make such mistake IMHO. However, at 25L, they will still fly off the shelves (by their standards); Softroader or Ultra Softroader - it doesn't matter. BMW is all about status symbol right now and Toyota loses to them in snob value India. Alongwith X1, stripped down 3 series will seriously dent Passat, Camry significantly and Skoda Superb to some extent. Since, 99% of Fortuner owners will never engage in any off-roading, chances are they will take X1 without much serious thoughts.
Fortuner, however in it's category will continue to make merry unless Miitsubishi does something to it's ageing Pajero. In India, Fortuners, Captivas, Pajeros, Outlanders, CRV's etc. are all status symbols right now (in their category) and switching vehicles to a higher segment don't need any serious thinking. It just boils down to a brand with higher snob value.

[Guna]

Originally Posted by aaggoswami

There will be a dent in sales of Fortuner as those buying Fortuner for image will prefer to go in for BMW badge.

X1 is a very low slung crossover and will never apeal to those who look for the imposing size or the practicality conventional SUVs offer. That's where Forester failed. Of course Forester was petrol and Subaru was not a strong brand like BMW.

[Sudan_NFS]

Here is a comparison pic with Q5







source:Comparison: BMW X1 vs. Audi Q5

[nitrous]

I'd rather have the 1-series come in as CKD.
If there's a hatch or the length could be brought down to 4 metres, then we could have a beemer for what, 15 lakhs?

[NullRock]

Its a very diffrent market where people try to compare Innova with a Fortunner which are actually in completey diffrent segment.
Lets put it straight BMW cant do what Toyota can do. BMW does not have a single vehicle that can compare to Toyota in offroading capabitlites.

People care more about availablity of after sales service, parts and labor costs and I guess BMW will be more expensive then Toyota in this case.
I guess Toyota has a winner in their hands (Fortunner) and they dont need to worry about X1.

[blackasta]

Originally Posted by nitrous

I'd rather have the 1-series come in as CKD.
If there's a hatch or the length could be brought down to 4 metres, then we could have a beemer for what, 15 lakhs?

Make a indigo CS out of a 1 series eh?
How I wish that comes true and we see beemers come within reach of the not so rich

[RakishRam]

Originally Posted by Guna

BMW, X1 may be launched in India soon

Not very soon, according to the article :(

A BMW India spokesman confirmed that the X1, which has been in the global market since October, would be launched here by early 2011.

[Guna]

Originally Posted by RakishRam

Not very soon, according to the article :(

Thanks for the correction. Early 2010 can be termed as 'soon'

[ACM]

2011 is too far away

The X1 is a 5 seater vs Captiva / fortuner / Q7 being 7 seaters.

The X1 will address a different segment,

The fortuner offroading capability will be higher as also reliabilty clubbed with lower maintenanc costs. X1 would be more of a lifestyle statement but the macho feel would be absent. If anything it will eat into the 3 series and Class sales, for the young who what the brand image.

[Ramsagar]

Tough both Fortuner & X1 are SUV's, comparing both would not be the ideal one. Fortuner is poor men RICH possession, but X1 is rich men poor possession.

They both are different in terms of service & cost of spares & maintained.
A stripped down version of Lexus can be compared with X1.

[Dante]

Originally Posted by Sudan_NFS

Here is a comparison pic with Q5

Attachment 236826
Attachment 236827
Attachment 236828
Attachment 236829
Attachment 236830

source:Comparison: BMW X1 vs. Audi Q5

My friend actually Q5 is compared with X3 and not with X1.

[ACM]

Originally Posted by Ramsagar

Tough both Fortuner & X1 are SUV's, comparing both would not be the ideal one. Fortuner is poor men RICH possession, but X1 is rich men poor possession.

They both are different in terms of service & cost of spares & maintained.
A stripped down version of Lexus can be compared with X1.

Well said Ramsagar, actually if one thinks about it the Fortuner attempts to provide more for less,- 7 seater SUV- for the Rich who are not that Rich, and the X1 removes come of the goodies to match the price expectations of the poor rich guys - 5 seater part suv - .

Richness is so relative.