BMW i3 Outselling Tesla & What it Means for an Electric MINI
Apples to oranges for sure but it’s worth noting that BMW i3 sales are picking up steam. Enough as it were to outsell the venerable Model S by 70% last month. In fact the i3 moved into the second spot in terms of electric vehicle sales in the US in total. As capacity and perhaps even incentives increase, it’ll be interesting to see where sales go. All good but what does this early success mean for the chances of a fully electric MINI?
We don’t expect a fully electric MINI for years but we do know that BMW has its sights set on electrifying the brand. First up will be a plug-in hybrid Clubman and Countryman (which we broke the news on almost a year ago). After that its anybody’s guess what will come to market. However we know that BMW is looking into creating a fully electric MINI in time for the 4th generation to launch around 2020. That car (likely code-named the G56) will be BMW’s opportunity to create something from the ground up that can be powered by both fossil fuels and electricity. Given the brand’s investment in carbon fiber manufacturing it’ll also be a great opportunity to create something not just 10-15 lbs lighter (as MINI has done with the past two generations) but materially different in weight that the F56.
As always we’ll bring you the latest the moment we hear about it. In the meantime click over to read our test drive of the Tesla Model S and BMW i3.
Tesla Sales Source: InsideEVs
<p>TESLA releases it’s sales numbers quarterly so InsideEVs is only estimating figures. Also, IMHO it is worth segregating data of PHEVs and PEVs. If a car has a gas engine in it, it is not an EV it is a hybrid.</p>
<p>Just my .02</p>
<p>Here is evidence that a car does not need to be good-looking to appeal to customers.</p>
<p>It’s another article from an external outlet that actually has no relevance except the basis that both are Electric. I am pretty sure the customer base is somewhat different and that both vehicles are not directly competing with other. I am at a loss on why the media continue to compare the i3 or indeed the i8 to the Model S when they are entirely opposites of each other.</p>
<p>PS – the new Countryman is on the streets.</p>
<p>The i3 doesn’t even compete with the Tesla. The tesla costs almost twice as much, can go three times as far on electricity, is much faster, doesn’t look like it’s from PlanetX, and is a much more well rounded vehicle.</p>
<p>Outselling the Prius last month is more impressive, I think.</p>
<p>Agreed.</p>
<p>The Leaf numbers are surprising to me. Well done, Nissan.</p>
<p>It would seem, to me, that the Leaf not the Tesla represents a very loud suggestion to BMW that MINI would do well enough with an electric option. Perhaps an electric with a MINI One spec is the place to begin?</p>
<p>It’s just not not normal to be without an electric while other makers in roughly the same category are paving the way.</p>
<p>I would definitely purchase an electric hardtop MINI. I wish the electric ones they used on the experiment a few years back were available for purchase! I’d buy one of those!</p>