Imports of the five-seat Active Tourer and seven-seat Gran Tourer models have been axed despite mid-life facelifts announced for the two BMWs in Europe.
BMW Thailand has stopped selling the 2-series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer due to a tepid reception by Thai luxury car buyers.
The two MPVs were created three years ago to tempt buyers needing something more versatile than a saloon with the Active Tourer being a five-seater and Gran Tourer a seven-seater.
Sources at the Thai BMW office noted that most people in the country with over two million baht to spare on a luxury nameplate would usually settle for a saloon or SUV.
This is why BMW has concentrated on selling the 3-series saloon and X1 SUV in locally built forms. Both 2-series models were imported in the early years and thus didn’t really pose a big business risk.
Archrival Mercedes-Benz once sold the B-class in Thailand and suffered a similar fate because customers were mostly drawn to the similarly priced C-class and CLA saloons, as well as the GLA SUV. The B-class is not in Thai showrooms anymore.
The 2-series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer have only reached mid-life in their first generations. In Europe this week, BMW has announced the mandatory updates for both model.
Aside the obligatory exterior design tweaks, the two 2-series model are now available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic in selected models. An eight-speed torque-converter auto is still featured in some other models.
Such a strategy reflects that used by Mini, which has just revealed that these two types of gearboxes can now be found in the Hatch and Convertible models. Thai sales are set to start in the coming months.
The 2-series MPVs and Minis share the same UKL platform accommodating transversely laid out petrol and diesel engines, as well as transmissions.
In addition, the 2-series Active Tourer and Mini Countryman also pool bits in plug-in hybrid forms, both of which have never went on sale in Thailand despite promotions being offered by the Thai government on electrified vehicles.
BMW says major markets for the 2-series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer include Germany, China and the UK with 70% of buyers being new to the BMW brand.
