BMW planning up to 12 models on new FWD platform

Ian Robertson, BMW AG board member for sales and marketing, said in an interview for Automotive News they are planning to make at least twelve compact models based on the the new front-wheel drive platform. The BMW Concept Active Tourer was the first to use the German automaker’s FWD platform and was displayed at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Robertson hinted that the BMW FWD vehicles will debut around 2014 as well. “One of the big advantages of UKL (FWD) is that we are able to launch a lot of products almost simultaneously because we are doing the engineering at once,” Robertson said. “This is the first car that we are showing.” BMW is expecting the premium small car market to grow significantly.