Comments on: BMW i3 Electric Car Already Has 100,000 Reservations

By: h3ll

h3ll — Tue, 23 Jul 2013 02:21:00 +0000

how narrow are the tires?

By: Runar Botnen Totland

Runar Botnen Totland — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 13:08:00 +0000

Range, size, performance pretty much like leaf. A bit quicker 0-60 in 8-9sec, leaf need 11is it? Otherwise, not that huge a difference.

By: JS

JS — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 12:49:00 +0000

Not sure how you can say, “specs like a leaf”. The i3 will have an aluminium chassis and a carbon fibre body. Thats no leaf.
Also, I tried to put a deposit on one in Sydney, Oz, but they wouldn’t accept it as they said they haven’t yet committed to importing it into Oz as yet.

By: Roger

Roger — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 06:41:00 +0000

The car looks like an angry piglet.

By: Runar Botnen Totland

Runar Botnen Totland — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 21:22:00 +0000

Source: http://e24.no/bil/100-000-vil-proeve-bmw-i3/20381240

40k euro is an estimate inc. Vat and fees in Germany. Information from BMW marketing director in Norway.

By: arne-nl

arne-nl — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 12:18:00 +0000

If the 40 k price tag is accurate, it should not be overinterpreted.

Pricing is done by the marketing guys & gals that try to maximize profits. They know there are a bundle of people out there with too much money and a dislike for the LEAF. They’ll buy it at any price, so setting a high introduction price is a means for BMW to maximise profits on those early adopters. All introductions happen like that: first fleece the early adopters, then go after the mainstream buyers.

Plus, a high price makes sure only people that *really* want it will buy one. They are the tech savvy, environmentally aware, more informed consumers that are less likely to be disappointed. Disappointed customers is a bad thing. Avoid it at all costs.

Lastly, there is still a risk involved in bringing an EV to market. Recalling 5,000 i3’s is a less costly and will generate a less bad press than recalling 100,000.

By: arne-nl

arne-nl — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 12:10:00 +0000

Interesting! Do you have a source for that?

By: tibi stibi

tibi stibi — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 10:16:00 +0000

usually the price in euro’s is the same as in dollars. the currancy differency is about the same as the tax difference

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:29:00 +0000

hmm, that was not clear at all… ok, will update.

as far as which car it’s competing with, you’ve got two ways of looking at it: price similar to a Model S and ‘luxury’ brand, specs similar to a Nissan Leaf.

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:24:00 +0000

i didn’t think the price was available yet, but people here are quoting 40,000 Euros

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:23:00 +0000

hmm, i love the Leaf design. for looks alone, it’s my favorite EV. do also love the i3, Fiat 500e, and Model S.

By: josetony

josetony — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 04:05:00 +0000

I have to admit that It is a beautiful car. The problem is the price. 40,000 euros is over $50,000. So I doubt that 100,000 reservations is an accurate statement. But if by december they decide to sell it for 32,000 euros Then I would say 200,000 people will be interested right away. The Nissan leaf is more affordable at the present time. The only thing I don’t like about the Leaf is the awful design. It looks like a giant fish on wheels.

By: Mohan Raj

Mohan Raj — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 01:27:00 +0000

100,000 that’s great. But what will be the price. I think i3 also has a plug in option for another $4K where BMW will fit a 2 cylinder motor cycle engine.

If some car can make a big hit, it will push every one into the game.

By: Shiggity

Shiggity — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:11:00 +0000

The EU puts huge tarriffs on everything unfortunately. A BMW electric car sold in Germany is *perfect* for that market.

We’ll see if they can do anything evolutionary with all of their solar power and soon to be cheap EVs.

By: Runar Botnen Totland

Runar Botnen Totland — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:16:00 +0000

Specs like a Leaf, and price around 40k Euro

By: Runar Botnen Totland

Runar Botnen Totland — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:15:00 +0000

Yes, it is 100k test drive requests, not order reservations. A huge difference.;-) and this is a Nissan leaf competitor, NOT tesla model s.

By: Marion Meads

Marion Meads — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:38:00 +0000

was wondering about the final MSRP and how the specs compared to a Tesla.

By: Ross

Ross — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:59:00 +0000

I think it is 100,000 requests for a test drive. They sure aren’t just shoehorning an electric motor and battery into a 3-series chassis.