Assembly processes don't usually speed up (or slow down) based on the economy. When times are tough factories run fewer shifts (or fewer factories) the reduce the hours they pay for labor.

FWIW if you have read the dozens of threads on several X5 forums, the consensus is that BMW is essentially 'accumulating' already built 2010 X5s at the BMW Prep Center(s) until they get EPA approval to release them. The various tracking systems (BMWUSA website and automated 1-800 number) simply don't have a category to describe this event. The astonishing thing is that BMW NA appears to be unable to communicate what is going on with its own dealers and sales people. A simple email to the dealers would do.

Funf Dreisig