Will BMW\'s 3 Series Coupe become the 4 Series? Image: BMW AG
When I first read the article on Carmagazine.com, I had to do a double take on today’s date. Could it be that I’ve found myself in some Groundhog-Day-like time warp, and today was really April 1st? Not so, but I’d still take the following information with a grain of salt. If Auto Guide and Car are correct, BMW will be dropping the 3 Series name, but only on certain models. They’ll be adding a 2 Series as well, and here’s how the switch is supposed to work:
1 Series cars will be front-drive hatchbacks
2 Series cars will be today’s 1 Series coupe and convertible
3 Series cars will be sedans only
4 Series cars will be today’s 3 Series coup and convertible
This probably makes sense for the 1 Series, but I’d proceed with caution on renaming the 3 Series if I were BMW. Worldwide, the 3 Series is BMW’s best selling line, and changing a best-selling product’s name for the sake of marketing rarely ends well. If this is true, BMW has their work cut out for them in building awareness of the new product lines. The switch to the new names won’t happen until 2013 and won’t be completed until 2015, so at least the Bavarian automaker has time on their side.
Source: Car, via Auto Guide
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
