Despite a third consecutive declining month of BMW i sales, the sub-division focusing on electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids sold 5,128 units globally. In March alone, 2,225 i cars were delivered. The first quarter i sales are nearly 23 percent less than year ago.
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The sale numbers don’t include the X5 xDrive40e, the 330e, 225xe Tourers or the 740e sedan. To revamp sales and offer a more compelling product, BMW plans to introduce a major update to the i3 which will bring a new battery pack.
A larger capacity battery in the i3 will allow for extended driving and it will arrive this year. Instead of opting for a battery replacement, BMW will extend the i3 lineup to offer two additional models – one fully electric with the new battery and the other a REx version with the same technology.
It’s expected that the new models will come with a four digit surcharge.
The current model consists of 8 x 2.7 kWh packs cells – each containing 12 x 3.75 volt, 60 Ah actual cells – wired in series for a nominal capacity of 21.8 kWh, 360 volts, of which 18.8 kWh are usable. The new battery is expected to have a 94Ah battery and the higher energy density will give the i3 an expected range of 120 miles.
[Source: InsideEVs]
Maybe they built the wrong car? Model S sales are growing annually!
Only if they were trying to compete with a large, heavy, expensive luxury sedan did they build the wrong cars.
Well they have been trying to sell the 7 series but Model S is really crimping their style (and sales).
Corporately, Tesla sold over 50,000 units last year, BMW 2,000,000+. BMW are crimping by somehow.
I’m only making the claim about Model S and 7 series. Certainly BMW sales across all segments are huge compared to Tesla’s one available model, but when that one available model starts to impinge on your flagship sedan sales, I’m sure BMW is noticing.
When do you think that 400,000th Model 3 deposit will take delivery of their vehicle?
While it might not be realistic to extrapolate refundable deposits with future on-schedule deliveries of a specific car, it still says a lot about the widespread demand for good looking long range pure EVs at a reasonable price point. BMW can get in on this action, but they will have to do something different than the i3, and the cost/benefit of the (e) plug-in electrification initiative seems dubious for the AER.
BMW is slowly turning into a german Toyota. Tesla and Porsche are taking over the high tech stuff. i5 is nowhere to be seen. BMW still making hybrids like it’s 2005.
They are co-producing a sports car with Toyota, not “slowly turning into”. Name one unique Porsche “high tech stuff” that isn’t VW corporate. i5 is nowhere to be seen because, like the Model 3, it is not yet in production, you don’t even know what segment it will be competing in (or creating). If BMW were “still making hybrids like it’s 2005” they would be hydrogen, their 1st hybrid was 2007. Not one of your statements is factually correct, nor grounded in reality.
No doubt low gasoline prices have hurt sales. To balance low gas prices, EVs need to have extended battery capacity. Good for BMW with the extended battery range in the 2017 models. In addition, competition with the introduction or the expected introduction of new EVs is diminishing sales. For those putting off their purchase for better things to come, bear three things in mind. First, sooner or later, likely sooner, gasoline prices will rise. Second, purchase an i3 for what it is–a car that will carry you in comfort and style in metropolitan areas–from the suburb to the city and back–or for local trips. That’s why I purchased mine and my i3 continues to be the perfect car for me. I didn’t buy it for long trips. Third, as for persons waiting for a $35,000 Tesla, don’t count on walking out of the showroom at that price and indeed, don’t expect it any time soon. I know we are told that it will be here in 2017, but if it runs true to form with Tesla, it will be sometime after that. As for the anticipated Bolt, if you want a Chevrolet, great, but Chevrolets and BMWs don’t share the same market. I like the amenities and quality of construction of BMW. If you are of this mindset, you won’t want a Bolt. Last point, BMW needs to do more to advertise the advantages of the i3 and get it before the public–less cutsie advertising and more solid information about what the i3 can do.
I have the BEV i3…it is the ideal car for me also…even get by with level 1 charging…quality, design, performance were tops…technology is pathetic, mapping sucks, navigation sucks, they’re not able to do OTA, and integration with smartphone limited. Then there are the dealers..and I’m finished with them..so TSLA is the way to go for me.
Where’s the i5? What is BMW waiting for???
They can take another year & still be to market before the Model 3. But since they already have a full range of ev’s during an oil glut, what’s the rush? Tesla scrapes by with 2 models, after all.
What’s the rush? Brand loyalty.
huh?
There will be lost sales to Tesla if it’s not out first, as there are now.
I’m so not excited…BMW missed the style factor in the i3 design, and now TSLA has 400,000 pre-orders!
The i3 should have been the i5 at the same price point.
The i3 at this price point is uh, hard to swallow.
The pricing in the USA is already Far Too High for the i3. Clearly they should be charging Nothing More for the new battery. And they should be REMOVING the CARB restrictions on the REX model. The new battery makes the i3 what it should have been.
Maybe BMW needs to drop the extra $7500 they’re taking from the feds, and hand that over to consumers, Like TESLA.
Because, value for money, Tesla is Killing You.