BMW USA announces 2.1% price rise on all 2009 models

BMW has announced an average 2.1% price increase for the U.S. market across its 2009 model year range as a response to rising raw materials costs and exchange rate pressure. The price rise will affect those models that go on sale from October as well as a number of their related options and packages. The latest price increase is BMW's second rise in the U.S. since June, when it raised prices on its 2008 lineup by a single percent.

The 2009 128i coupe now starts at $30,025, including an $825 destination charge - a $600 rise over the current model. On the upper end of the scale, the 2009 M6 convertible starts at $108,325, including an $825 destination charge, which represents an increase of $1,370 over the comparable 2008 model.

The 2009 X5 xDrive30i starts at $47,925, including an $825 destination charge, and the facelifted 2009 328i sedan (pictured) starts at $34,225, including its $825 destination charge.

"The significant structural and economic changes in the marketplace are prompting all automakers to further refine actions to respond to these pressures," Jim O'Donnell, president of BMW of North America, said in a statement. "At BMW, we're responding with a number of internal efficiency improvements to offset our increased costs so that we can keep this price increase modest."

Despite the negative outlook and a sales drop of 8% in the first seven months of the year, BMW is still focused on investing in the U.S. and has confirmed that it will spend more than $750 million on upgrading its Spartanburg plant in South Carolina. This is likely to accommodate production of the next-generation X3 as well as increased capacity for the current X5 and X6 SUVs.