BMW i3 market launch

Munich The BMW i3 available in Germany and selected European markets from the 16 November. The first customers from Germany collected their cars from the BMW Welt in Munich a day earlier.

The keys were formally presented by Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing BMW and Roland Krüger, Senior Vice President, Head of Sales and Marketing Germany for the BMW Group, in a special ceremony. The head of the Bavarian State Chancellor’s Office and State Minister for Federal Affairs and Special Tasks, Christine Haderthauer, and Member of the Board of Management of Allianz SE, Oliver Bäte, were also among the first BMW i customers.

Over the coming months, the BMW i3 will be introduced in a large number of European markets. In 2014, the BMW i3 will also be launched in the US, Japan, China and Korea.

Electro-mobility also in demand for business fleets
The BMW i3 appeals to fleet customers as well as retail customers. Electric vehicles offer efficient, sustainable solutions for a complementary mix of drive trains in company fleets. Allianz SE is one of the first BMW i3 fleet customers.

The BMW Group’s fleet management and leasing specialist, Alphabet, has developed a product called “AlphaElectric” to meet the special requirements of its fleet customers. The first comprehensive E-mobility solution on the market offers smooth integration of electric vehicles into company fleets in just three steps: analysis of the customer’s mobility profile; definition of appropriate charging infrastructure; and the flexible combination of add-on services.

The BMW i3
The BMW i3 is the BMW Group’s first series-produced electric vehicle and represents a new type of sustainable mobility for urban areas. The concept, with its unique vehicle architecture, also calls for the use of modern, lightweight materials, such as carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), and innovative and pioneering production processes.

With a range of 130 to 160 kilometres, the BMW i3 meets the mobility needs of customers in urban areas. Charging can be done at home, at work or at public charging stations.

In conclusion, the BMW Group also offers a comprehensive “360° ELECTRIC” product and service package for the BMW i3. That’s based on four pillars: home charging; charging at public charging stations; guaranteed mobility; and integration of innovative mobility concepts.

These include services such as the BMW i Wallboard Pure for rapid vehicle charging at home. As well as extensive ConnectedDrive functions in the car itself for smart phones. That’s as well as the ChargeNow card. All which assures drivers unlimited access to public charging infrastructure on the go.

Furthermore, BMW i is expanding the public charging infrastructure. Finally including convenient reservation and payment systems.

Source: BMW