The recent 2008 BMW 7 Series spy shots have shown the upcoming 2008 7 Series will undergo some significant styling changes. Putting all the spy shots together, our computer graphic artist has rendered an image of the new 7 Series.

click to enlarge

Although the final product may be slightly different than seen above, we anticipate the new model will be more of an evolution of the current shape rather than a total redesign.

The current 7-series is available in Australia as a 740i and 750i as well as the long-wheel-base 740Li, 750Li and 760Li. Power plants range from the 4.0-litre V8 (225kW) in the 740i, 270kW 4.8-litre V8 in the 750i and a massive 6.0-litre V12 (327kW) in the range topping $346,000 760Li.

There are rumours from BMW insiders that the company might launch an M variant of the new 7 series, powered by a tuned version of the V12 found in the 760Li.

The current 7 Series has caused a lot of controversy with its Bangle-butt design but it has been a sales success for the German manufacturer. As far as records go, it is the most successful incarnation in the model’s history.

The new model faces a stronger list of competitors, not only will it have to compete with the S-Class Mercs, but it will now battle the Lexus LS 600hL V8 Hybrid. The new 7-series is expected to hit European showrooms later this year.

Click through for 2008 BMW 7-Series spy photos.

Photos copyright to Scoopy and used with permission for CarAdvice.com.au only.

Source: 2008 BMW 7 Series CGI

Often a particularly challenging year is sent passing into the history books with a collective “good riddance” and sigh of relief. And while automakers selling vehicles in the U.S. surely are glad the tough 2007 is over, they are bracing for rather than embracing the arrival of 2008.

On Thursday, automakers report December and full-year 2007 vehicle sales. 2007 is likely to see the lowest sales since 1998.

Forecasters predict 2008 sales will be even lower. But 2009 could be a turnaround year.

How Low 2008?

Jesse Toprak, Edmunds.com’s executive director of industry analysis, is among the more optimistic of prognosticators, forecasting a 2-percent decline in 2008 sales from 2007. He predicts sales will drop to about 15.9 million units in 2008 from 16.1 million in 2007 due to current economic challenges and the uncertainty associated with the upcoming presidential election.

“Gas prices and the housing market will continue to help determine how strong sales are and what type of vehicle consumers will purchase in 2008,” said Toprak. “With many macroeconomic concerns heading into 2008, we believe it will be one of the slowest years for auto sales in nearly a decade.”

“But,” he added, “there is promise of a turnaround in 2009 when some macroeconomic factors may be very different than they are today."

Indeed, Ford and Chrysler are counting on it. Both have set 2009 as the year they turn the corner.

December Sales Off Year-Ago Levels

December’s new vehicle sales (including fleet sales) are expected to come in at 1.37 million units when automakers report them Thursday, according to Edmunds.com’s forecast. That’s a 3.6%  decrease from December 2006 but a 16.8% increase from November 2007.

"Adding this forecast to the sales totals year to date, we estimate that the industry will sell approximately 16.1 million vehicles in 2007, the lowest volume since 1998,” said Toprak.

The combined monthly U.S. market share for Chrysler, Ford and General Motors domestic nameplates is estimated to be 52.5% in December 2007, down from 52.7% in December 2006 and up from 51.1% in November 2007.

December’s Big Six Sales Forecast

Edmunds.com predicts:

GM will sell 332,000 units in December 2007, relatively flat at 0.7% lower than December 2006 and up 27.1% from November 2007. GM's market share is expected to be 24.3% of new vehicle sales in December 2007, up from 23.5% in December 2006 and up from 22.3% in November 2007.

Ford will sell 209,000 units in December 2007, down 6.9% compared to December 2006 and up 17.7% from November 2007. This would result in a market share of 15.3% of new car sales in December 2007 for Ford, down slightly from 15.8% in December 2006 and up slightly from 15.1% in November 2007.

Chrysler will sell 178,000 units in December 2007, down 6.5% compared to December 2006 but up 10.7% from November 2007. This would result in a new car market share of 13.0% for Chrysler in December 2007, down from 13.4%in December 2006 and down from 13.7% in November 2007.

Toyota will sell 222,000 units in December 2007, down 2.9% from December 2006 and up 12.4% from November 2007. Toyota's market share is expected to be 16.2% in December 2007, up slightly from 16.0% in December 2006 and down from 16.8% in November 2007.

Honda will sell 130,000 units in December 2007, down 1.4% from December 2006 and up 16.7% from November 2007. Honda’s market share is expected to be 9.5% in December 2007, up slightly from 9.3% in December 2006 and flat compared with 9.5% in November 2007.

Nissan will sell 91,000 units in December 2007, roughly flat at 0.8% lower than December 2006 and up 12.8% from November 2007. Nissan's market share is expected to be 6.6% in December 2007, up from 6.4% in December 2006 and down slightly from 6.9% in November 2007.

Source: 2007-2008 Vehicle Sales: Slowest Years in a Decade

As if anyone who's been semi-conscious for the past six months couldn't see it coming, Bloomberg predicts December's auto sales numbers will close the year on a sour note. Based on their survey of six industry analysts, they estimate deliveries were down by 5.6 percent at GM, 7.8 percent at Ford and 7.9 percent at Chrysler. They expect smaller declines from the transplants. Americans bought an estimated 16.1 million cars and light trucks last year which is the lowest since 1998. Analysts across the board are predicting an even worse year in 2008. We'll see how far off Bloomberg's stats are when the overall sales figures are released tomorrow. Look out for TTAC's wrap-up on 2007 sales via the specific models we've been tracking. 

Bloomberg »

Source: Bloomberg Offers a Piercing Glimpse into the Blindingly Obvious: December Car Sales Crash