Demand for the BMW i3 keeps on growing and according to the latest sales report, the BMW i3 sales in the first quarter of 2019 were up 16.2 percent, for a total of 9,227 units. This makes it by far the most successful first quarter ever for the compact electric car, which was launched in 2013. In Norway, one of the world’s leading markets for electrified vehicles, pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles account for around three-quarters of total BMW and MINI sales.
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Normally, the sales trend goes upwards as a new car is launched, reaches a peak after about two or three years and then starts dwindling as the new generation starts development and gets ready for market launch. It’s not the case with the i3 though, as the electric vehicle has seen a steady rise in demand in recent years, mostly due to the technical upgrades it received.
The original 60Ah model was selling in decent numbers, but after the 94Ah model came out, with a 50-percent longer range, things started to really pick up, range anxiety becoming less of an issue. This year BMW announced that the range will go up another 30 percent thanks to yet another update in the battery department, offering an even higher energy density, of 120Ah. The Germans are so confident in their offering that they actually stopped selling the REx model in Europe, one of its biggest markets for the i3.
TEST DRIVE: 2019 BMW i3 120 Ah – “Getting There”
The i3 will be one of the 12 electric vehicles offered by BMW by 2025 and even though it’s not expected to see a second generation in this form or shape, it will remain in the history as the first electric production car for BMW, and one of the most innovative cars of its time.
By the end of next year, the BMW Group will have introduced ten new or updated electrified models. By 2025, the company plans to have at least 25 electrified models on the market, 12 of which will be fully electric.
For an urban electric car, the i3 is a brillant design. Sure, I too thought it an ugly duckling when I first saw it, but when one examines its design in light of its purpose, one sees its brillance.
I think BMW abandoning their lead in CF chassis production is one of the worst mistakes they ever made. I would kill for a CF 3 Series.
The original i4 seems to have morphed into the i7.
Hopefully, that will be CF, but now, it’s way out of the ball park, price.
What a coincidence; just today the “check engine” light on my 2014 REx came on AGAIN. This is a bi-annual event. The dealership/BMW has covered over 10k in warranty repairs up to this point, but I’ve never been compensated for all the time and money spent finding alternative means to get to work and back. Don’t be seduced—these vehicles are junk.
Of a non-specific nature, apparently.
I’ve had the check engine light come on in my 2014 REx…twice. Sounds like yours has some extra problems, but generalizing “these vehicles are junk” from your single model (from the first model year, no less) doesn’t make sense.
You’ve had the Check Engine light come on twice, which is two times too many for a five year old, >$50k vehicle. My 2010 Prius has had the Check Engine light come on exactly zero times, and it has a real engine.
Search the web for “i3 Check Engine Light”; you’ll see I’m not generalizing.
As for me, this will be my last BMW.
Weird post, multiple failures and dealer with no courtesy car fleet?
Need many more details to establish any credibility. Also loved his Prius but switched to BMW? If claims are true, he has a lemon law case but has not pursued it? Just too weird.
The 2010 Prius had several generations to improve before it was released. The 2014 i3 was, again, the first model year. Companies learn and improve over time.
I own an i3. I’ve read about the issues. I know they exist. But it’s still bad logic to say “I had the first year of the first generation of an entirely new vehicle technology from this company, and it had issues, so we can’t trust them even now.”
This. I’ve read a lot of (serious, painfull) issues on the 2014 series. My 2015 rex has none of these.
I am though, dealing with moisture in the rear-view camera and most of the time I need to open the fuel cap with the green cable under the hood. BMW is not willing to fix this under warranty.
But all things considered my next car will be a BMW. Just not a first year release. Same counts for BMW motorcycles. First year release is a guarantee for trouble.
20 yrs. & 10 million units for Toyota. Statistically, anything mass produced will have issues @ some pt. Consumer Reports always warn any tech. innovator will risk problems.
Why does your dealer have no courtesy cars?
Never heard of one yet that did not.
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