The would-be flagship sport-utility vehicle for BMW, the X7, won't be.
With higher fuel prices and the U.S. truck market in decline, BMW has canceled plans for a large vehicle that would have been slotted at the top of the automaker's SUV lineup.
"This vehicle does not fit with the environment any more," spokesman Jan Ehlen said. "Our main focus is going to be, and always has been, on cars."
BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer first announced the program's demise during a financial conference call Aug. 1, when the automaker also said it would be raising prices in the United States this year and next year.
The X7 would have been competition for the Land Rover Range Rover, and originally was under consideration when fuel prices where cheaper and the SUV market was expanding.
Meanwhile, BMW is launching the X6, a smaller crossover with coupe-like styling and is planning a hybrid version for 2009. |
