The BMW i3 is a truly unique electric vehicle, or a unique vehicle of all kinds. The i3 has the potential to appear on the streets of Europe and the United States over the years to come. However, production of the new i3 car has ended.
After living in Europe for 11 years, I bought a used BMW i3 when I returned to the United States, enjoyed it with my family for 9 months, and then gave it to my mother. It’s still one of my favorite cars, and if my wife and I bought a second car, it’s very likely that it’s an i3. (Currently there is the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range.) There are some features of the i3 that we absolutely love, and the low price in the used car market is very attractive. My mother has enjoyed the i3 for the past three years, and she’s sure there’s more we can write about it — but we already have. This is the last review from me, and this is the review from my mom.
Photo by Zachary Shahan | CleanTechnica
Photo by Zachary Shahan | CleanTechnica
Today’s story is that this iconic electric car is no longer in production. BMW has produced 250,000 i3s during its eight-year product life, but the era is over and BMW is focusing on new electric vehicles. The EV market in 2022 Dramatically Unlike the 2013 or 2014 EV market, BMW simply determined that the i3 no longer exists in this market.
Here are some of BMW’s own words about the momentum of discontinuation:
“”Leipzig. The era is nearing the end at the BMW Group plant in Leipzig. Mass production of the BMW i3 will end in about eight and a half years after its launch. A source of inspiration, a driving force for innovation, a pioneer in the joy of driving without emissions in the region: Since its debut in 2013, the list of attributes that accompany the BMW Group’s first fully electric-powered large series production vehicle is long. BMW i3 (total power consumption: 16.3 to 15.3 kWh / 100 km according to WLTP, 13.1 to 14.0 kWh / 100 km according to NEDC and CO2 Emissions: 0 g / km) began as an exotic specimen in the market for electric vehicles, which are still rarely used, and has already evolved into a classic with unmistakable charisma during production as a sustainable pioneer. Made a name for itself in the history of the company. Mobility.
“For the BMW Group’s Plant Leipzig, the farewell to the BMW i3 is related to the beginning of a new chapter in electric vehicles. The seamless transition is to the production of high-voltage battery modules already underway from May 2021. In addition, more e-drive components are manufactured there and have immediate effect, and already next year, the next generation MINI Countryman will be manufactured in the same place — especially using a fully electric drive. In this way, the electrical mobility expertise of the workforce accumulated over the past few years will be leveraged and further advanced. At the same time, the BMW Group’s Plant Leipzig is a combination of the BMW model and the MINI model. It will be the first place in the company’s global production network to be manufactured. […]
“The BMW i3 will be discontinued with an impressive home run. Just a few days ago, Leipzig produced the 250,000th compact e-vehicle, which made the BMW i3 the world’s most successful premium compact segment. It will be an electric vehicle, and its popularity has not diminished as it matures, contrary to what is expected of a model that is being phased out.
“The BMW i3 is sold in more than 74 countries around the world. In many markets, in the electric vehicle segment, we have achieved a significantly higher market share in the field of conventional motor vehicles than the BMW brand. The premium mobility offer has been successful in inspiring additional target groups. In the early days, more than 80% of all BMW i3 buyers were new BMW i3 customers. “
BMW image provided.
There are some interesting points towards the end there.First of all, Jose Pontes made the same kind of comments several times during the sunset month of the i3 — sales are surprisingly high, and sometimes even. Record breaking, Because the model retirement party was planned. Perhaps the i3’s unique style and cute charm encouraged many buyers to scoop one up after learning that the i3 was out of production.
Second, the comment that the i3 was sold in more than 74 countries around the world (that is, does it mean 75 countries?) Reminds us how different BMW’s approach has been over the years. Dozens of electric cars were sold in certain markets (such as California) where car makers have to sell electric cars or pay high fines, but the electricity actually sold in markets around the world The only models were the BMW i3 and the Nissan Leaf. From South Africa to Poland and various other countries, the Fiat 500e or Ford Focus Electric or Volkswagen e-up was not available (and the list continues), but bought the BMW i3 (or Nissan Leaf) I was able to do it. I still think it’s a little intriguing. BMW probably saw their cool little electric car as a way to bring more eyes, or saw it as an electric car with true mass market potential, or simply BMW was the leader in electric cars. Maybe he wanted to plant a seed. But for one or more of these reasons, BMW’s EV sales are much wider than most others. I could even find the i3 in some markets where Tesla wasn’t there!
BMW said: The independent vehicle architecture consists of a drive module as an aluminum chassis with an e-drive, suspension and high voltage battery, and a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell called a life module. Developed from the beginning for pure e-mobility, this design allows for a particularly large interior space and a high quality, highly advanced cockpit and center console design. The same applies to exterior design. Exterior design is groundbreaking even in its ninth year of manufacture, with less focus on fashion and status than technical vanguardism. “
More information about the i3 is available and its end of production is available here.
Do you have a fun final idea about a little bagger?
BMW image provided.
BMW image provided.
BMW image provided.
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