While at an introduction to the forthcoming 550i GT two things were clear: 1) the car looks much better in real life and 2) it may pull the plug on future sport wagons for the US market.

Martin Birkmann, head of product planning for BMWNA, discussed with some members of the press that the GT may in fact decrease the number of 5 Series sports wagons sold to a level that no longer makes them a productive member of the BMW portfolio in the US.

Sales of sport wagons has never reached the success BMW had hoped and with the advantages the GT offers, buyers may opt to take that route. Obviously sales and profitability are important to the overall success of the company so we can ‘t blame them, it just is going to be a sad day when a BMW wagon will not be a choice.