FYI: Despite being discontinued, BMW’s i3 and i8 are still making surprise appearances in sales reports with a combined 24 units sold this year.
BMW’s i3 and i8: The Cars That Refuse to Die
Some vehicles have an uncanny ability to endure, even after their manufacturers have ceased production. This is exemplified by the BMW i3 and i8. Despite both models being discontinued for over two years, they continue to appear in BMW’s current sales data.
Zombie Sales: The Phenomenon Continues
In an intriguing twist, both the BMW i3 and i8 have made a notable entry in the company’s second-quarter financial report. According to BMW Blog, 24 units of these defunct models have been sold this year. These are not used cars but brand-new vehicles.
Mystery Sales: Where They’re Going
BMW typically groups the sales of i3 and i8 together in their reports. This means we don’t have a detailed breakdown between the two models. However, we do know that only one i3 was sold in the United States in the first quarter, with no additional models shifting in the second quarter. Meanwhile, the i8 sales went to other parts of the world.
Global Sales Trends
There’s been a steep drop in global deliveries of these battery-powered models. Sales plunged by a striking 95.8% compared to the first half of the previous year, which astonishingly saw 575 units sold. With just six units sold in the second quarter and 18 in the first, this year might be the sunset period for these models in BMW’s sales logs.
Why Are They Still Selling?
The most plausible explanation for these lingering sales is that some dealers still had a few New Old Stock (NOS) cars in their inventory. These vehicles likely moved off the showroom floor due to enticing discounts.
The Legacy of the BMW i3 and i8
The BMW i3 was a trailblazer for the brand, being its first mass-produced all-electric vehicle. Debuting with a starting price of approximately $45,000, the i3 managed to sell over 250,000 units worldwide during its nine-year run.
On the other hand, the BMW i8 was targeted more as a collector’s item. Fewer than 21,000 units were ever produced. The i8 harnessed a hybrid setup, combining a 1.5-liter gas engine and an electric motor, producing 369 horsepower. However, its supercar appearance didn’t quite match its performance, which, coupled with a $136,000 starting price, resulted in less than 7,000 units being sold in the United States, including both coupe and roadster versions.
Conclusion
The story of the BMW i3 and i8 is a testament to the cars’ unconventional appeal and perhaps the affection BMW’s loyal customer base holds for these models. As the last remaining units likely make their way off dealership lots, it will be interesting to see how collectors and enthusiasts remember these pioneering electric vehicles.
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William Kouch, Editor of Automotive.fyi
