[orkinos]

The issue is, Audi was creating demand by keeping supply in control which in return gave them a higher profit margin than the German competitors as their cars were slightly overpriced historically. Now, after Covid, all other manufacturers realized that a controlled scarcity would give them better profit on top of the already increased prices "due to Covid". Days of "several K below MSRP" are gone. On top of that, like in the XM, they try to create something that can attract new buyers with not much additional cost but at the same time they hike up the price. If you are new to car buying and act with desire to own something that not many own, you end up paying more than the car's real value. Having money or not and being able to afford it or not is not the problem with XM. You are overpaying for that vehicle. If you are buying let's say a Ferrari Purosangue, you do not need it but you want it and you are ready for the price as it is a unique and rare vehicle. But, XM won't be as rare and certainly is not unique as it is based on X5 and shares a substantial amount of parts with it. While one is priced under 100K and XM is starting at 160K with no extra performance benefits or higher quality materials and more importantly other options at close price range, makes the XM overpriced. It is ambitious by BMW to offer this awkward car for that price but time will tell. The only reason I see for that high price is that BMW will try to slowly increase their other car's prices.