Usually, there's merely two options if you want a car, buy or lease.
Automobilwoche now reports that BMW is considering a different approach for their Mega City Vehicle. BMW Board Member Ian Robertson mentioned with Automobilwoche that the
Car-to-go program Daimler runs to rent out Smart vehicles on a short-term basis was "quite an interesting approach." Referring to the Mega City Vehicle, he went on: "We don't want to sell the car but its use." BMW will test a similar approach in another model this year, likely the 1-series Active E.
This consideration makes sense as the technology used for the Mega City Vehicle makes for such tremendous development and production costs that it would be either too expensive to buy and lease or not profitable. Another issue is its residual value strongly depending on the battery life, an obstructive risk for both BMW and potential owners.
Automobilwoche also mentions that BMW is set to unveil the actual name of the Mega City Vehicle on
February 21st. As we reported, BMW's latest
trademark fillings suggest a name starting with
i, e.g.
i2 or
i4. Market launch is expected for 2013.
[source:
Automobilwoche]