Rumor: BMW to Expand Scooter Lineup with C 350
BMW may be expanding its scooter lineup to include a midsize, 350cc offering. Will we see it in the US? Will it be price competitive? Many questions remain.
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This story comes to us from our sister site, ScooterFile.Scooter Station is reporting that BMW might be looking to expand its scooter range down into the midsize category. Currently speculated as a C 350, such a machine would serve to compete with other strong contenders in that size range such as the Suzuki Burgman 400, Piaggio BV350, and various offerings from both Kymco and SYM.
If it happens, a midsize scooter from BMW would be one of the first fruits of its partnership with Indian manufacturer TVS on a sub-500cc two-wheeler. It’d also be a way for BMW to be more competitive in emerging markets abroad, as well as in markets where vehicle taxation is tied directly to engine displacement.
Strong evidence in favor of a midsize BMW scooter comes from Loncin Motor Corporation, a mainland Chinese manufacturing firm who are, according to their own announcements, investing 100 million Yuan (about $15MM USD) to bring their facilities up to BMW’s standards.
If true, this new midsize BMW scooter would certainly be an international affair. With drivetrain and other key components coming from India and TVR, plus mainland Chinese manufacturing, this would be a decidedly Asian scooter from the German marque.
The key question left unanswered for us is that of US availability and pricing. Given the aggressive pricing of the existing 650cc C-series scooters against the big Burgman, we’d expect BMW to attempt to be even more competitive in this more crowded midsize space.
What do you think? Would a 350cc BMW tempt you?
