BMW announced that it will debut a hybrid version of the 5-Series as a concept at the Geneva Motor Show in March. However, the manufacturer would not say when production would start. There are also still no details on the hybrid engine.

BMW also has yet to confirm whether the hybrid or a diesel will be sold in the US. For the German manufacturer, the 5-Series is a crucial car as the 5 and the larger 7 series represent 50% of BMW’s worldwide profits. Draeger acknowledged this and said that “it will remain this way” since the 5-series segment is seen to grow in the future. Draeger said that globally, the 5-Series was the best-selling sedan in its segment for four of the past seven years. Sales were at its peak in 2006 for the 5 series, with 56,756 cars sold. In the US, the 5 series competes with the E -Class, Lexus LS and Audi A6. Sales of the Lexus LS dropped 44% last year to 11,334 units. Audi sold even fewer A6 models, with sales down 43% over the prior year to 6,786 cars.

[Source: Autonews]