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      10-14-2013, 04:47 PM   #1
tommolog
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BMW considering boosting i3 production on over 8,000 orders already

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So far so good for the i3. BMW has over 8,000 orders and it's not even in showrooms yet:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-1...i3-demand.html

Quote:
BMW Mulls Boosting Electric-Car Capacity on Early Demand

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW), the world’s biggest maker of luxury vehicles, is considering a production increase for the i3 electric car after early demand for the model exceeded the automaker’s expectations.

Customers have reserved more than 8,000 of the compact city car, which will cost $41,350 in the U.S., even before the battery-powered model hits European showrooms next month, Chief Financial Officer Friedrich Eichiner said late yesterday.

“If demand holds, which is what it’s looking like, we will soon have to invest more,” he said at a press conference in Amsterdam. BMW expects to sell more than 10,000 of the i3 next year and “will adjust capacity according to demand.”

BMW’s preliminary success is a positive sign for the entire industry. While automakers are rolling out scores of new electric cars, they have struggled with efforts to gain traction with alternative-drive vehicles amid consumer concern that powering systems offer only limited distance before a recharge is needed and objections to higher prices.

The i3 will go on sale in Germany for 34,950 euros ($47,440) on Nov. 16, followed by the U.S., China and Japan in the first half of next year. The model made its public debut July 29 at simultaneous events in New York, London and Beijing. The push to sell the electric car and recoup investments in the technology underpinning the vehicle include an international print, TV and Internet advertising campaign.

Full story: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-1...i3-demand.html
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      10-15-2013, 08:45 AM   #2
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Ha ha, nice well done BMW!
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      10-15-2013, 09:05 AM   #3
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      10-15-2013, 09:17 AM   #4
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That's awesome! Can't wait to see them in dealers and on the road!
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      10-15-2013, 09:35 AM   #5
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Very good, also cant wait to see em!
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      10-15-2013, 09:41 AM   #6
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Very cool, would really consider one!
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      10-15-2013, 11:06 AM   #7
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I never doubted the i success!
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      10-15-2013, 11:25 AM   #8
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10,000 units in year...worldwide?

That is a low volume car. Does that turn a profit?

Last edited by M3_WC; 10-15-2013 at 11:39 AM..
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      10-15-2013, 11:41 AM   #9
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Quote:
BMW’s preliminary success is a positive sign for the entire industry. While automakers are rolling out scores of new electric cars, they have struggled with efforts to gain traction with alternative-drive vehicles amid consumer concern that powering systems offer only limited distance before a recharge is needed and objections to higher prices.
Where do they come up with these statements?

The Chevy Volt sold more than twice the projected sales of the i3, at 23,461 units last year. That is in one country.

Telsa S sales are projected over 20,000 units this year as well.
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      10-15-2013, 12:37 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3_WC View Post
10,000 units in year...worldwide?

That is a low volume car. Does that turn a profit?
Actually they anticipate much higher sales but aren't going to make the same mistake other electric car manufacturers have (like GM with the Volt) by predicting a high number then have to respond to it when they miss what they predicted. GM didn't sell half the Volts they said they would in it's first year and they took a beating in the media because of it. This is a good strategy by BMW - set the bar low and then pat yourself on the back when you beat your "expectations"
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      10-15-2013, 12:43 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3_WC View Post
Where do they come up with these statements?

The Chevy Volt sold more than twice the projected sales of the i3, at 23,461 units last year. That is in one country.

Telsa S sales are projected over 20,000 units this year as well.
But the Volt sold a fraction of the sales targets GM set as did the Volt. The Tesla is clearly a success and continues to beat estimates, but it's not priced anything like the i3.
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      10-15-2013, 01:24 PM   #12
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8,000+ is the number of pre-orders so far. That's before the official sales launch (it's scheduled for November in Europe; USA, China etc launch will be in Spring 2014). And that's even before the cars are available for test drives @ certain BMW dealers (dealers are starting to get cars for limited time right now in Europe - for scheduled test drives). And until the launch the pre-orders can hit & exceed 10,000 mark.

When official sales launch starts - with all the promotion activities (incl test drives) - it's expected even more orders will be placed.

So, it can happen i3 sales in 2014 will exceed 20,000 - if BMW will be able to produce them.
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      10-15-2013, 01:30 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Bread View Post
But the Volt sold a fraction of the sales targets GM set as did the Volt. The Tesla is clearly a success and continues to beat estimates, but it's not priced anything like the i3.
GM did not meet their first year projections. But that statement in the article is no longer relevant, they sold more than 3x they did in 2011. How is the Volt not successful when it sells the most units in this class of cars? Plus that is only in one country. The Telas numbers are worldwide. The Volt actually out sells a number of BMW models each month in the US.

Last edited by M3_WC; 10-15-2013 at 01:36 PM..
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      10-15-2013, 01:38 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3_WC View Post
GM did not meet their first year projections. But that statement is no long relevant, they sold more than 3x they did in 2011. How is the Volt not successful when it sells the most units in this class of cars? Plus that is only in one country. The Telas numbers are worldwide. The Volt actually out sells a number of BMW models each month in the US.
What are you driving at? The Camry rocks because it sell so well, it's clearly better than every BMW, Porsche, Lexus, etc.

The Volt is picking up momentum, no doubt. I see quite a few daily. Yet it did struggle to meet the initial sales goals and still trails the targets they set for it at launch, even if that is 3x better than initial demand.

But it's not an electric car like the Leaf, which I rarely see, the Mitsu Golf-Cart-Thing, which I've seen one of or the other screwball electric cars out there. Aside from the Tesla, there has yet to be a successful electric car, or in simpler terms, there has not been a volume selling electric car under $50k.
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      10-15-2013, 01:48 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by Red Bread View Post
What are you driving at?
The numbnut who wrote the article could have done a little research(look at current sales numbers). Before talking down on the EV market as a whole and then touting relatively low projected sales numbers for the i3.
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      10-15-2013, 02:00 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3_WC View Post
The numbnut who wrote the article could have done a little research(look at current sales numbers). Before talking down on the EV market as a whole and then touting relatively low projected sales numbers for the i3.
Wait, a marketing hack wasn't totally honest? Call Breitbart!

I know what you're driving at, but I'm not sure I agree with it. BMW isn't solely about sales volume, but rather profitability and staying independent. The i cars are a huge financial burden and a huge risk, but if the gamble pays off, it extends their time as one of very few independent car manufacturers. Whether that matters, or provides cars that you or I want to buy, is possibly another conversation, but that same marketing hack likely sees some value in it, even if we might not.
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      10-15-2013, 03:02 PM   #17
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I had my volt for about a month now and I'm absolutely in love with the electric power train. It makes for an amazing daily driver and my 400 a month fuel bill was reduced to $40 and $100 electricity bill....and soon I'll be partially off the grid with my solar panels

I haven't really ran into any cons for an extended range vehicle aside from the initial purchase price. I see an I3 in my immediate future
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      10-15-2013, 06:20 PM   #18
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The i3 isn't "cool enough" or utilitarian for me to jump in and buy one. Give it a little more sporty flavour and I would strongly consider one for business. Either that or just bust-out and pick up an i8!!!
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      10-15-2013, 06:32 PM   #19
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      10-15-2013, 06:40 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3_WC View Post
10,000 units in year...worldwide?

That is a low volume car. Does that turn a profit?
The car isn't in the showrooms, official orders have only been accepted for about a month, and only in Europe...8,000 of them. I think they'll sell all they can currently make, which is why they're considering another production line. I think this is going to surprise a lot of the naysayers out there.

The research and development is getting used in the other models, but it takes awhile to incorporate the lessons learned, since up to now, it's all been prototype, low volume efforts. I'm sure there will be some hiccups, but they've had prototypes running around for a fair amount of time, and I'm sure, lots of miles racked up already to erase most of them.

I figure that by the time it makes it to the US, a lot of those teething pains will be over.
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      10-15-2013, 08:13 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jadnashuanh
Quote:
Originally Posted by M3_WC View Post
10,000 units in year...worldwide?

That is a low volume car. Does that turn a profit?
The car isn't in the showrooms, official orders have only been accepted for about a month, and only in Europe...8,000 of them. I think they'll sell all they can currently make, which is why they're considering another production line. I think this is going to surprise a lot of the naysayers out there.

The research and development is getting used in the other models, but it takes awhile to incorporate the lessons learned, since up to now, it's all been prototype, low volume efforts. I'm sure there will be some hiccups, but they've had prototypes running around for a fair amount of time, and I'm sure, lots of miles racked up already to erase most of them.

I figure that by the time it makes it to the US, a lot of those teething pains will be over.
Agreed ....
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      10-16-2013, 12:29 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jadnashuanh View Post
The car isn't in the showrooms, official orders have only been accepted for about a month, and only in Europe...8,000 of them. I think they'll sell all they can currently make, which is why they're considering another production line. I think this is going to surprise a lot of the naysayers out there.

The research and development is getting used in the other models, but it takes awhile to incorporate the lessons learned, since up to now, it's all been prototype, low volume efforts. I'm sure there will be some hiccups, but they've had prototypes running around for a fair amount of time, and I'm sure, lots of miles racked up already to erase most of them.

I figure that by the time it makes it to the US, a lot of those teething pains will be over.
A sensible post, and very accurate as well.
Besides, it's an heavy investment, but it will benefit BMW in the long run, as i'm confident they will learn valuable leassons with CFR for usual BMW models down the line.
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