2 July 2001: BMW is expecting to sell 200,000 cars in the US this year, representing a quadrupling of its sales since 1991. And the company is aiming to increase to 300,000 units 'in the long term' through the addition of new products to the market.

These will include a smaller X3 companion to the X5 SUV (above) in 2004, along with a new 6-Series coupe and convertible. An entry-level 1-Series car is also scheduled for 2004. But immediate attention is focused on BMW's introduction of a the new Mini, which won't arrive in the US until March of next year. About a fifth of the 100,000 planned for sale next year will be in North America.

The success of the Chrysler PT Cruiser and the resurrected VW Beetle are known to have been important pointers to BMW in their decision to go withthe new Mini, whicj bears only retro 'cues' to the original which finally ceased production last year after 42 years since its introduction.

Meanwhile, at the other extreme, BMW is planning to introduce its first Rolls Royce at the Detroit Auto Show in 2003. BMW bought the Rolls name in 1998, but it is being produced by VW until 2003 after that company bought Rolls and Bentley cars production assets but only short term use and the Rolls name.