BMW is planning to phase out i3 electric hatchback

BMW is planning to phase out i3 electric hatchback

KUALA LUMPUR: BMW has been planning to phase out the i3 model, which was the company’s first offering as a full battery-powered car. According to the reports, the company will not develop a successor to i3 electric hatchback since it will now focus on battery and plug-in technology for other models. Although the discontinuation of the six-year-old model may be disappointing, the good news is that the company may launch a few electric vehicles in the coming year.

i3 electric hatchback phase out

In regards to the above plan, Pieter Nota, the marketing director of BMW, has said, “there is no concrete plan for an i3 successor. We are now bringing electrification more into the mainstream.” Notably, the company is looking forward to emphasis on the plug-in hybrids as its best selling vehicles with a motive to run emission-free power vehicles in the city over a longer distance.

i3 electric hatchback side

BMW launched the i3 back in 2013, thus completing a six-year course as of now. The aim behind the launch of i3 was to check the response of the consumers to EVs. The company had successfully sold 150,000 i3 models so far. Going through the reports, it can be seen that the sale of the first half of 2019 was 21%, which is relatively higher than last year’s same period sale. With this, it can be said that the demand for electric cars has increased.

i3 electric hatchback rear

By stopping the production and sales of i3, BMW wants to promote plug-in hybrids as its best-selling cars. Besides, the company also plans to sell 13 full EVs by 2023.

Furthermore, BMW has finalised an agreement with Motiv Power Systems in the month of January, this year, to provide battery packs to integrate into Motiv’s EPIC (Electric Powered Intelligent Chassis) for commercial vehicles.

Also Read: BMW Malaysia introduces locally-assembled 3 Series

Purva Jain

Purva Jain

Purva is a crazy admirer of cars and she has got a lot of expertise in their detailing. Though, she has mastered in Economics but cars have always been her field of interest. She is an introvert in talking but when it comes to cars and the latest news regarding them she talks like hell. Exploring new cars as well as the vintage machines is listed in her hobbies while getting to know about the history behind the same are the things which she enjoys the most. She may seem silent from the outside but inside her is a volcano erupting to engulf the mean machines.

Read Full Bio

Sell your car at the best price

Verified and genuine buyers Verified and genuine buyers
Free listing Free listing
List your car

BMW Car Models

  • BMW X1
    BMW X1
  • BMW 3 Series Sedan
    BMW 3 Series Sedan
  • BMW X3
    BMW X3
  • BMW 5 Series Sedan hev
    BMW 5 Series Sedan
  • BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
    BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
  • BMW X4
    BMW X4
  • BMW iX2 ev
    BMW iX2
  • BMW iX1 ev
    BMW iX1
  • BMW iX ev
    BMW iX
  • BMW X7
    BMW X7
BMW Cars Price

You might also be interested in

  • News
  • Featured Stories
  • Upcoming
  • Proton e.MAS 7 ev
    Proton e.MAS 7
    RM 120,000 Expected Price Kuala Lumpur
    Expected Launch Dec, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • Toyota Yaris Cross
    Toyota Yaris Cross
    RM 130,400 Expected Price Kuala Lumpur
    Expected Launch Dec, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • Toyota Hilux Champ
    Toyota Hilux Champ
    RM 59,000 Expected Price Kuala Lumpur
    Expected Launch Dec, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • Perodua EM-O ev
    Perodua EM-O
    Price coming soon
    Expected Launch Dec, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • Kia EV3 ev
    Kia EV3
    Price coming soon
    Expected Launch Dec, 2024 Alert Me When Launched

Trending Hatchback

  • Upcoming
  • Perodua EM-O ev
    Perodua EM-O
    Price coming soon
    Expected Launch Dec, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • GWM Ora Black Cat ev
    GWM Ora Black Cat
    RM 135,000 Expected Price Kuala Lumpur
    Expected Launch Dec, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • MG 3 Hybrid Plus hev
    MG 3 Hybrid Plus
    Price coming soon
    Expected Launch Dec, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • LEAPMOTOR T03 ev
    LEAPMOTOR T03
    Price coming soon
    Expected Launch Dec, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
  • Chery EQ1 ev
    Chery EQ1
    RM 90,000 Expected Price Kuala Lumpur
    Expected Launch Dec, 2025 Alert Me When Launched
  • Renault 5 ev
    Renault 5
    RM 129,300 - 175,800 Expected Price Kuala Lumpur
    Expected Launch Dec, 2024 Alert Me When Launched
Upcoming Hatchback Cars

Compare

You can add 3 variants maximum*