[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW i Has Delivered 100,000 Cars Since Sub-Brand Launch

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November 3, 2016

Munich. Three years of BMW i, three years of innovation, three years of holistic sustainable mobility: since its market launch in November 2013, BMW i has not only been the technological pioneer of the BMW Group, but has also symbolised the company’s innovative strength and future orientation in every vehicle it brings onto the road.

Today, this can be seen more clearly than ever: the BMW Group has now delivered more than 100,000 purely electric-powered cars and plug-in hybrids to customers worldwide. The BMW i3 alone has reached a figure of more than 60,000 units, making it the most successful electric vehicle in the premium compact segment. Meanwhile, the BMW i8 ranks first among electrified sports cars, with more than 10,000 delivered since the middle of 2014. Additionally, there are the approximately 30,000 plug-in hybrids sold to date; known today under the label BMW iPerformance, these reflect the successful broad-based transfer of BMW i technology.

“BMW i remains our spearhead in terms of innovation and it will continue to open up groundbreaking technologies for the BMW Group,” says Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Harald Krüger. “When it comes to electric drivetrains, we’ve already successfully managed to put this technology transfer on the road. The next technological advance we will address is automated driving, where the BMW iNEXT will set a new benchmark.”

By establishing the BMW i brand and opting to develop a separate vehicle architecture and BMW eDrive technology for electric power, the BMW Group became a pioneer in the field of individual, sustainable mobility. Both the BMW i3, designed for locally emissions-free mobility in an urban environment, and the future-oriented plug-in hybrid sports car BMW i8 combine Sheer Driving Pleasure with a premium character that is consistently geared towards sustainability, including the use of resource-efficient production methods and materials. This also appeals to new groups of customers: more than 80 per cent of BMW i3 customers worldwide are new to BMW.

All in all, the BMW Group now offers seven models that either run on electric power alone, like the BMW i3, or are plug-in hybrids, combining a combustion engine and an electric motor. Other models will follow in the years to come, including a MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid in 2017. What is more, a new variant of the BMW i8 sports car with plug-in hybrid drive will come out in 2018 – an open-top BMW i8 Roadster. Looking further ahead, the portfolio will be extended to include a purely electric-powered MINI in 2019 and a purely electric-powered BMW X3 in 2020. At the start of the next decade, another, larger BMW i model with electric drive is due to appear: the BMW iNEXT. This highly innovative model will be the new innovation leader and spearhead of BMW i.

[Ghetto2315]

I'm part of the 100,000 with my i8 and I'm thrilled with it

[deemo319]

Originally Posted by Ghetto2315

I'm part of the 100,000 with my i8 and I'm thrilled with it

Cool.

[ilya335]

Had the i3 for two years now. Great car!

[Meast]

People poke fun at the i3 (not too difficult, agreed), but compared to the mini-minivan B-Class it's killing it in the segment. 60,000 vs about 5,000 is a world of difference considering they came out about the same time.

This is great news for the future of this segment, as it will be more in this direction. I'm very grateful they are keeping the soul of the brand alive, even if they could stand to work on the exterior design some more.

[Imola.ZHP]

Love my i3!

[1230vani]

Drove i3 for about two weeks. Love the fully electric version, great car.

[raysspl]

Not bad but we still need a red i8

[ahhhhleeee]

Originally Posted by raysspl

Not bad but we still need a red i8

my local dealer has a red i8 in the showroom

[CirrusSR22]

I'd have to imagine i3 sales in North America will continue dropping rapidly now that the Chevrolet Bolt EV is almost here. The i3 doesn't make much sense anymore.

[Meast]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

I'd have to imagine i3 sales in North America will continue dropping rapidly now that the Chevrolet Bolt EV is almost here. The i3 doesn't make much sense anymore.

Because the Bolt is such a fun car to drive.. :

For as much as I'm not a fan of the look of the i3, it definitely drives and handles like a BMW. It leases out like a $30k car, despite its high MSRP.

[CirrusSR22]

Originally Posted by Meast

Because the Bolt is such a fun car to drive.. :

For as much as I'm not a fan of the look of the i3, it definitely drives and handles like a BMW. It leases out like a $30k car, despite its high MSRP.

Where have you heard the Bolt isn't fun to drive? Every review I've seen has been very impressed with the driving dynamics. Acceleration beats the i3 too.

[ron_jeremy]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

I'd have to imagine i3 sales in North America will continue dropping rapidly now that the Chevrolet Bolt EV is almost here. The i3 doesn't make much sense anymore.

BMW had the first generation i3 with 160km range.
Two years later we now have the 300km range i3.
2 more years into the future a i3 LCI with the range of the Bolt (Ampera in EU) comes along. I'd say i3 have done what it's supposed to, it's a city car, not a full blown sized car, meant to drive long distances.
Been driving the i3 myself, and i've tested alot of cars, non have suprised me more so than the i3 itself. going back to diesel/petrol after testing it, feels going back 20 years, i is the future of BMW.
And yes, i'm going to buy one for myself as well.

[Meast]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

Where have you heard the Bolt isn't fun to drive? Every review I've seen has been very impressed with the driving dynamics. Acceleration beats the i3 too.

I've driven the Volt, and it was nice, but it didn't have the same feel as the i3 cornering. I don't hold it against it because dynamic-engineered driving isn't what the car is built around so it's not expected, but missed. But for getting from point A to point B driving then I'm sure it'll do its job.

[JorgenM]

Good news. Love my i3 too, but would really like to swap my Tesla for an i5 in some years