BMW Confirms Plan For Flagship SUV Positioned Above X7

With the arrival of the new 3 Series, BMW is preparing to shake up the rest of its global lineup. That means cutting a handful of models while adding an even larger SUV to its US range. BMW says it wants a more focused product portfolio that can better respond to the needs of different markets. The company also plans to expand its use of AI, from vehicle development and manufacturing to sales and aftersales.

BMW hasn't revealed a name, price, dimensions, or launch timing for the new US-specific model yet, though it is tentatively referred to as the X8. The company confirmed it will sit above the X7 at the top of its SUV lineup as an additional offering in its Sports Activity Vehicle range tailored specifically to American buyers. The decision is driven partly by strong demand for larger SUVs, with BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina currently operating at full capacity.

A new SUV does not mean BMW will expand indefinitely. The brand plans to reduce the number of offered variants, focusing on vehicles delivering the strongest long-term returns in each market. BMW specifically confirmed that models like the 2 Series Active Tourer are on the chopping block, and aging nameplates like the i4 and iX could follow.

China will also play a major role in BMW's forward strategy. The company intends to boost local production of high-volume models alongside the rollout of Neue Klasse technology, aiming to have at least 95 percent of vehicles sold in China locally manufactured and developed by 2030. At the high end, BMW will introduce the first model under the BMW Alpina brand next year; inspired by the 7 Series, it will slot between the core BMW lineup and Rolls-Royce.

BMW's strategy extends beyond large vehicles. The company is planning a new fully electric entry-level model for Europe in 2028, likely a new 1 Series, bringing Neue Klasse technology to its smallest segment before the architecture spreads across every vehicle class over the coming years.