BMW i3: Demand Is So High That Orders Open Ahead of Schedule
The new electric BMW i3 has become a true breakthrough for the brand, as it transitions the legendary 3 Series to a fully electric base. According to new data, the automaker is extremely pleased with the public’s reaction. Instead of opening order books later this year, the company has decided to do so this week. Production will not start earlier, but customers will be able to place their orders starting Thursday.
As Automobilwoche reports, citing sources within the company, BMW will begin accepting orders for the special “1st Edition” version of the i3 model from June 18th. This move is unusual, as orders were originally planned to open only in the fall. Although BMW has not officially confirmed the change in plans, the publication claims the decision was made due to exceptionally high customer interest following the car’s debut in Munich in March.
Enthusiasm Exceeding Expectations
Such enthusiasm did not come as a complete surprise. BMW executives hinted at an extraordinarily strong reaction shortly after the i3 presentation. According to Jochen Goller, head of sales, interest in this sedan has even surpassed the positive response generated by the upcoming iX3. This is very telling, considering the electric SUV garnered around 50,000 orders just a few months after its unveiling, along with over 10,000 sales in Europe in just two months.
Interest in the sedan has even surpassed the positive response generated by the upcoming iX3.
Global Success and Ambitious Plans
The appeal of the i3 extends far beyond BMW’s home market. Reports indicate the sedan has received positive reviews in both Europe and China. Its appearance at the Beijing Auto Show helped boost the model’s visibility in one of the world’s most important electric vehicle markets.
BMW has even suggested that the i3 could help revive interest in the mid-size sedan segment. This is a bold claim, but the technical specifications give the company reason for such talk. The version that was presented, the i3 50 xDrive, boasts 469 horsepower (350 kW) from a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system and, according to claims, can travel up to 900 kilometers (559 miles) on the relevant test cycle.
Production and Future Challenges
Despite the accelerated order-taking schedule, production plans reportedly remain unchanged. Series production of the BMW i3 at the Munich plant is expected to begin in August. If demand is truly as high as reported, the main question becomes not when orders open, but whether BMW can produce enough vehicles to satisfy all those who want one.
Such a rapid sales start indicates that BMW has managed to create a product that not only meets modern electric vehicle requirements but also evokes a genuine emotional response from buyers. The combination of the familiar 3 Series name with innovative technology and an impressive range could be the formula for success that allows the i3 to become not just another electric car, but a true bestseller. It remains to be seen whether the production capacity of the Munich plant can cope with such overwhelming demand, as history is replete with examples of successful models suffering from long queues and shortages.