BMW M2 still running hot

BMW Group Australia has again appealed to its Munich HQ for more supplies of its M2 Coupe, unexpected demand for which continues to stretch waiting lists out to two months.

The Garman car-maker's local arm says it remains in daily talks with the factory to secure extra production to fill Australian orders, despite the fact it secured an extra 100 examples last May after its initial allocation of 300 cars was quickly snapped up.

"At the moment the demand for M2 is extraordinary and we're actually overwhelmed by demand," says BMW Group Australia managing director Marc Werner.

"We're in daily discussion with our production partners back in Europe We want to get more production and that is what we're currently focussing on."

Launched with sellout success at Targa Tasmania last April, BMW's cheapest M-car arrived with a sub-$90,000 pricetag and immediately won the motoring.com.au Australia's Best Driver's Car 2016.

Rather than undermine sales of larger, more traditional M models such as the M3 sedan and M4 coupe, BMW says the M2 actually helped increase sales of those models.

"We expected M2 to cannibalise M3 and M4 sales but that didn’t materialise," said Werner.

"In fact the opposite has happened – enquiry increased and sales volume. The launch of the M2 actually had a positive effect on M3 and M4 sales."

Asked if rumours of further M2 derivatives such as an M2 CS or M2 Convertible were accurate, Werner said: "Whatever comes next that remains to be seen, but at the moment we're fighting for more [M2 Coupe] production to satisfy demand. The waiting list is currently two months."

The M3 remains BMW's top-selling model in an M line-up that will set another record thanks mostly to the additional small coupe, which will see last year's tally of 1500 sales easily eclipsed.

"M sales are a fantastic success story," said Werner. "Three years ago we sold just 500, then it increased from 500 to 1000, and then to 1500 in 2016, obviously off the back of M2."

BMW's Australian chief was quick to point out those numbers apply only to full-strength M vehicles like the M2, M3, M4, M5, M6 and X5 M and X6 M – rather than M Performance models like the M140i hatch, M240i coupe/convertible and X5/X6 M50d SUVs.

That said, Werner added that special-edition models like the M140 Performance Edition – created exclusively for Australia, where just 60 will be released – were designed to realise the full potential of M Performance model sales.

"There's still opportunity there – there's more potential to come," he said.

He added that sales of BMW's other new sub-brand, iPerformance, were also yet to hit full swing with plug-in models like the 330e, X5 40e and upcoming 530e and 740e.

"We only launched the iPerformance brand here a couple of months ago so it will take time. Now we're building awareness around it and with a wider product range."

Having last year launched the M2, M3 Competition, M4 Competition, i3 94Ah, i8 Protonic Grey, 330e and X5 40e, BMW Australia will this year release the new-generation 5 Series sedan (March 18).

It will be followed by around mid-year by upgraded 4 Series Coupe, Gran Coupe, Convertible and M4 models, the 530e and 740e, and the 760Li xDrive – BMW's quickest production car and its first all-wheel drive sedan in Australia – followed by the new 5 Series Touring and i8 Spyder late this year.

Next year, expect the new M5 super-sedan, Z5 roadster and X5 SUV, plus the all-new X2 and X7, followed in 2019 by the all-new G20 Series from Mexico.