Hoping for a lucky 7

> Detroit debuts: Three 6-series variants: the coupe, convertible and four-door Gran Coupe

> Pipeline: The swanky 2-series convertible goes on sale in the spring and replaces the 1-series soft-top. A redesigned 7 series debuts late this year. U.S. sales may not start until 2016.

> New faces: Stefan Walmrath was appointed CFO in August. He came from Europe.

> 2014 share: 2.0 percent (Jan.-Nov.); 2.0 percent (Jan.-Dec. 2013)

> Sales trend: Up by 10 percent in 2014 for a new record. Production of the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car will be increased to meet demand. The i3 compact electric car is still being rolled out and, likewise, demand outstrips supply. The two-door 4-series models are hot sellers and bringing new buyers to the brand. Sales of the 5-, 6- and 7-series sedans are slow, but crossover sales are growing.

> Challenges: Getting enough i3s and i8s. Also, sales of large crossovers are on the rise again, and BMW won't have an offering in this segment until the X7 goes into production at its South Carolina plant in 2017. And BMW must decide whether to sell the 2-series Active Tourer crossover in the U.S. The front-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive vehicle has been criticized for its bland styling, and execs aren't sure they want a crossover smaller than the X1 in this market.

Meanwhile, dealers still rank BMW low in National Automobile Dealers Association relationship surveys, citing communications.

> Strategy: Offer a 7-series with state-of-the art safety and infotainment technology to compete with the Mercedes-Benz S class. At the lower end, launch new models that use a BMW Group fwd platform. The upper end of the crossover market will be addressed with the all-new X7 crossover in 2017. And BMW will continue to grow its electric-car business and offer more models.