Electric BMW i3 is retiring soon

The production of BMW i3, the first fully electric car of German automotive giant BMW, will end soon. In a statement from the company, it has been confirmed that production will cease once the last vehicle comes off the band in July.

The BMW i3 has sold around 250 thousand units worldwide in its nine-year life marathon. The model, whose production ended in 2021 for the US and Australian market, only exists in Europe and some Asian countries. In July, it will be completely shelved.

The i3 is currently produced at the Leipzig factory in Germany. With the end of production, BMW will prepare the production lines at this factory for the arrival of the new generation Mini Countryman. The model in question will arrive in the second half of this year. The name that will replace the i3 will be the iX1, the fully electric version of the third generation X1.

The model, which draws attention with its different design, backward opening rear doors and carbon fiber chassis, was launched in 2013. In the first place, it was sold with a single engine option or a range extender version offered for sale in some markets. The name i3 is used in the electric version of the 3-Series in China. It seems that the situation will be the same in other markets.