November 16 2009   Source: Bryan Joslin via Automotive News, photo from MotorAuthority

Next BMW X3 Will Launch With Custom Order Capability

According to Automotive News, the introduction of the next-generation X3 is being throttled down so that the company can offer a new custom-ordering option for customers. The new system would allow X3 buyer to select individual options from a broad array, as opposed to choosing from pre-determined packages, as now.

The customer-order process is pretty much the norm in Europe. where buyers are used to walking into their local dealer and specifying each option to their liking. In a matter of a few weeks, their exact car is either delivered to the dealership, or the customer may pick it up at the BMW Welt delivery center in Munich. Because of the long transit time from Europe to America, BMW has not offered this option in the past.

With the next X3 being built in Spartanburg, SC, the ability for American customers to custom-spec their X3s is a more realistic possibility. BMW hopes that if the program is a success that it can expand the offer to X5 and X6 owners as well.

Original Article at Autoweek.com