BMW 323i Sport Wagon Debuts in LA
4 January 2000
Watch it on The Auto Channel323i SPORT WAGON: FIRST 3 SERIES WAGON FOR THE U.S. MARKET DEBUTS AT GREATER LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW Los Angeles, CA - The all-new BMW 323i sport wagon the first 3 Series wagon to be offered in the U.S. market, will make it's North American debut at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show. It is scheduled to arrive in U.S. showrooms next April and, like the new 3 Series convertible, additional models will appear later. Over the two generations that BMW has offered sport wagons in North America, they have found a unique niche in the U.S. market as vehicles that retain typical BMW character while adding cargo space and versatility. BMW's achievement of this goal is confirmed in, for example, Car and Driver's June 1999 comparison of five upscale wagons, which the 528i sport wagon won decisively: "An adept, carefully crafted driving machine that can pull wagon double-duty" is how the magazine characterized it. AutoWeek (September 20, 1999) saw the V8-powered 540i sport wagon in much the same terms: "sedan-handling, wagon-room." Considering the comfort and space of the current 3 Series, BMW planners believed the time was right to add the new 3 Series sport wagon to the U.S. model line. * Slightly greater (0.3 in.) overall length * Greater (0.8 in.) rear leg room * Standard split folding rear seats (sedans: optional), including three 3-point safety belts and head restraints, pass-though, fold-down armrest, storage compartment and cupholders * Carpeted cargo area with retractable cover, light and strong honeycomb floor, elastic hold-down straps on floor, tie-down hooks at side, and accessory power outlet * Concealed underfloor storage space * Upward-opening tailgate with power release (from interior or remote) and separately opening rear window, top spoiler and wiper/washer. BMW IN AMERICA BMW entered the U.S. market in 1975. Since then, the company has grown to include marketing, sales and financial service organizations in the United States; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; a design firm in California; a technology office in Palo Alto and various other operations throughout the country. BMW is represented in the U.S. through a network of 340 automobile and 160 motorcycle retailers. # # #