The German luxury carmaker, BMW, announced their first all-electric city car, the i3 in July this year. Cut to now, the company is reportedly considering a production increase for its i3 electric car after early preorders are forcing them to rethink production goals.
“If demand holds, which is what it’s looking like, we will soon have to invest more,” said Friedrich Eichiner, BMW’s chief financial officer, at a press conference in Amsterdam, Holland.
The vehicle was simultaneously released in three continents- Europe, Asia and America. According to Automotive News, customers have already booked more than 8,000 i3 EV before the vehicle goes on sale in Europe next month, a number which might make BMW replan and escalate its production activity.
The BMW i3 is a lightweight, battery electric vehicle with fast charging capability that has a range of 120 to 160 kilometers. In terms of the engine, it is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor rated at 170bhp and 250Nm of torque.
The BMW i3 will go on sale in Germany in mid-November starting at €34,950 (Rs 29.17 lakh excluding taxes), with US, Chinese and Japanese sales to commence in the first half of 2014. America will get the compact electric car from $41,350 (Rs 25.54 lakh).
BMW is also exploring the Indian markets. At the time of its launch in July this year, the company said it saw huge potential in India for the BMW i3 and is in talks with the government on the issue of sustainable mobility. Though government support still seems to be far way, we might get this car early next year on order via CBU route.
