For better or worse, the BMW X1 "concept" and MINI Crossover are destined for production. BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer maintains that both models will do well in these economic and fuel-conscious times, but the X7 - originally slated for production in 2013 - has been killed due to the CUV's inability to "generate sufficient growth," according to Automotive News.

We're trying to find some redeeming qualities in the BMW X1 concept, but after staring at it on the show stand and navigating our way through BMW's lengthy press release (after the jump), we're at a loss.

Rocking graffiti styles we haven't seen on the street since the late 90s, BMW has put out a 40-second teaser video of a covered X1 Concept being unloaded from an enclosed trailer ahead of its debut next week at the Paris Motor Show. Our skateboarding, urban protagonist tags the letters "M," "C" and "X", using each letter to spell out some lofty buzz words about the X1's desired demographic, simultaneously stoking our curiosity and leaving us shaking our heads. Check the video after the break and stay tuned on Thursday for the official reveal, live from Paris.

We're less than a month away from the official unveiling of the BMW X1 concept in Paris, but the boys from Bavaria are already planning a sportier, two-door version of their new compact 'ute. Dubbed the X2, this coupe-ish soft-roader will be to the X1 what the X6 is to the X5.

Inside Line has the skinny on BMW's new product unveils for the upcoming show season. Paris and L.A. are the headliners, with the City of Light chosen as the backdrop for the official public debuts of the all-new 7 series (including an ActiveHybrid variant) and facelifted 3 Series. While those cars will get their fair share of attention, all eyes will likely to be on the concept X1, which will also make its world debut in Paris.

BMW's chief executive officer Norbert Reithofer has revealed that the company has axed plans to build a larger sport-ute to top the range currently inhabited by the X3, X5 and X6 crossovers. Reithofer cited economic problems in the United States and Europe as the main reason for the cancellation of the program, i.e. sales of SUVs are dropping like a rock.

Meanwhile, other reports suggest that the green light in Munich has been given instead to a smaller crossover to be based on the 1-Series platform, which would enable BMW to expand its X range with an X1 instead of an X7. Smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient is probably a smarter direction to head in these times than bigger, heavier and greater guzzler.

BMW announced today that it would begin building its entry-level CUV at the automaker's Leipzig plant, alongside the 1- and 3-series. The news confirms rumors that the X1, which has yet to be revealed publicly, will indeed be built on the 3-series platform, lending some amount of sporting cred to the mini 'ute.