Shock story of the week, BMW is considering ramping up production of its i3 electric car as demand exceeds the carmaker’s expectation.
The car is not yet on the roads, but 8 000 have been pre-ordered in Europe. The lithium-ion-powered car will cost US$41 350 in the US, or €34 950 (US$47 440) when it goes on sale in Germany next month.
BMW hopes to sell more than 10,000 i3s next year, but will “adjust capacity according to demand,” said Friedrich Eichiner, BMW’s Chief Financial Officer, at a press conference. The company hopes to sell more than 10 000 of the cars next year.
Tackling range anxiety head-on, BMW is offering customers of the i3 the choice to book a conventional car for several weeks each year to make longer journeys. The i3 battery comes with an eight year/ 100 000 mile warranty.