At this point, all production years and volumes are taken from Werner Oswald's and Jeremy Walton's BMW--The Complete Story.

In general many of the years listed in this source seem to be one year earlier than the ones that I am familiar with. For example, the 2002 is listed as ending production in 1975. However, I owned a 1976 2002 that was purchased in June, 1976 in Louisiana, USA. Also, the 320i most certainly did not appear in the US until the 1977 model year. I have two possible explanations for this.

First, in the US car model years start well before the calendar year. That is one will be able to buy a 1997 car in middle to late 1996. I understand that in Europe this is not the case, and a car's year is determined by the calendar year (or production or sale?). In some cases this may explain the difference. The 2002 Turbo is listed as a 1973 and 1974 model, but all non-prototypes that I have seen in person or in pictures have had rectangular tail lights--a feature introduced on 1974 model cars in the US.

The second possible explanation is that BMW sold cars in Europe and the US for different time periods. For example, was the 320i introduced in Europe in 1976 but delayed for the US market until 1977? This was certainly true with the E12 5 series which I believe began in Europe in 1972 and did not appear in the US until (I think) 1975.

Anyone who can clear this up, please e-mail me.