The 1-Series Hatchback

[JCL]

Originally Posted by langstro

Why BMW never brought this to the States, I will never figure out.
If they brought the diesel version of this, imagine the competition it would have with the A3 TDI, or any TDI.

Because US consumers famously equate hatchbacks with low cost economy cars. It isn't just BMW; Toyota, Ford, GM and others all took perfectly good hatchbacks that were successful in other countries and grafted trunks onto them for the North American market. Ridiculous. Personally, I like hatchbacks, I think they are very practical.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by JCL

Because US consumers famously equate hatchbacks with low cost economy cars. It isn't just BMW; Toyota, Ford, GM and others all took perfectly good hatchbacks that were successful in other countries and grafted trunks onto them for the North American market. Ridiculous. Personally, I like hatchbacks, I think they are very practical.

+1. Next car has to be a hatchback for me. Too bad America has a perception problem. The Canadians like their hatches but unfortunately, the Americans determine the whole of NA.

I saw a lime green Ford Fiesta sedan for the first time a few days ago (I've seen a handful of hatch Fiestas, rarely a sedan) and it was AWFUL. The trunk and taillights make it look like a confused clown car. I'm so glad that the hatch outsells the sedan even in the American market. I also saw the Ford Focus hatch and it was very nice to behold, although I wish the taillights didn't resemble an Accord Crosstour.

[LeMansX5]

Times are changing. Don't be surprised if you see this next gen 1er in future on US roads.