[Jason]

Via Handelsblatt:

Premium automaker BMW is planning a major restructuring of its executive board and a shift in its electric mobility strategy, according to information obtained by Handelsblatt.

BMW declined to comment.

The automaker plans to merge its marketing and sales operations for the brands Mini and BMW and replace Friedrich Eichiner as chief financial officer.

Nicolas Peter, a close confidant of Chief Executive Harald Krüger, will take over the company’s finances from Mr. Eichiner. Mr. Peter currently serves as BMW’s head of sales in Europe.

BMW is also planning major changes in its electric mobility strategy to keep up with U.S. rival Tesla. In addition to the fully electric “i3” models, which have been in production since 2013, BMW will also offer fully electric versions of the Mini, the BMW3 series and the X4 SUV, which is built in the United States.

The supervisory board is expected to approve the new electric models during a two-day meeting at the end of the month.

BMW faces increasingly stiff competition from Tesla in the electric car market. The U.S. e-car maker has received 400,000 pre-orders for its Model 3 sedan alone. BMW’s i3, on the other hand, has struggled with falling sales in the first half of the year.

[SDH]

Nnnnnnooooooooooooooo, the beginning of the inevitable end

[ASAP]

lol i am not sure this will help sales...

[joz]

It's a necessary change and I think one that will be better for the brand long term.

Electric doesn't mean boring. There can be plenty of sport and fun if the technology to support it is developed.

[DRTMGRT]

The time is nigh.

This should be very interesting.

Im wondering what the badging will be? Maybe it'll just be called 3 series e drive. Being that i3 belongs to the "i" brand, and 330 e refers to an ICE displacement... I like the sound of X4e. It would be cool to see the current x4 body shape and styling mixed in with the I styling from the i3, and i8.

[vasi_M3]

I can't figure out how BMW is gonna be able to play catch up before the Model 3 is going to be released and at the same time beat Tesla in range and performance. It's not like Lyft and Uber, it's a lot harder to develop the battery technology in that short amount of time. Unless they'll buy batteries from a Chinese company or even more ironically Tesla. I think it's time to buy stocks in these battery companies everyone.

[M3 Number 86]

Why don't they just make an all new i3 and i5. Make it stylish. Not an England road commuter car.

[Diver]

Electric cars are only the tip of the emissions nightmare. Draconian measures are likely after 2025.

Electric utility rates will likely be tiered so consumption beyond certain levels will be very expensive.

Evening power outages may become routine. Consumers will be forced to invest in home battery storage devices to maintain service.

Air travel which is now expensive could become exorbitantly expensive and in limited supply.

Minimum air conditioner efficiency levels will make the equipment very expensive and unreliable. Cut out devices activated by utilities during peak hours, now optional, could become mandatory.

The US EPA has publicly said they want consumers to be able to buy the cars they want, but I think that is a lie.

[firedown31]

Originally Posted by Jason

BMW faces increasingly stiff competition from Tesla in the electric car market. The U.S. e-car maker has received 400,000 pre-orders for its Model 3 sedan alone. BMW’s i3, on the other hand, has struggled with falling sales in the first half of the year.

Gee I wonder why the i3 pales in comparison to the model 3...



vs



Can't see why.

[Germanauto]

Not sure if this approach will work but it's definitely better than churning out ugly cars like the i3. The battery technology will have to surpass Tesla's because people will still probably opt for a Model 3 over an electric 3-series because the Tesla is an entirely "different" brand. That's going to be a tough task!

[sahajesh]

I'm looking forward to getting a 330e at worst or 530/540e at best, fairly soon.

I hate the Tesla iPad interface as it's not as good to use as an analogue one with proper controls for HVAC etc - I know others who feel the same.

Tesla is for someone who wants their car to be sexy, rather than useable.

[ZIV3R]

BMW has design authority over TESLA should it decide to utilize it's skill set properly. The i3 and i8 are not balanced and have cartoon like characteristics.

I haven't jumped on the Tesla bandwagon as their exterior and interior design leaves much to be desired.

Come on BMW, make another icon, inspired by the boy racer generations of the m3. Make something inspiring before I turn in my m3, m5, 750i and X5M in for something musky.

[bunker]

Originally Posted by firedown31

Gee I wonder why the i3 pales in comparison to the model 3...

Attachment 1492242

vs

Attachment 1492243

Can't see why.

lad, have you actually SEEN that Tesla in person? Shaped just like a 5er GT. Ugly as sin.

[matbl]

FINALLY!
Just too bad they only are planning small and mid sized cars. Would love a 5-series fully electric.

Having had a Tesla for 2+ years, I love the electric drive train. But BMW makes better cars in most other aspects. So an electric 5-series as well please!

Moving to electric is inevitable, car companies can either move quickly or get left behind with bankruptcy to follow. Staying profitable with combustion engines won't happen.

[clbmw]

Shouldn't it be full charge ahead? Or will there be a 330s? Coal is pretty cheap

[raysspl]

i3 has subpar tech + out of this world ugly looks for premium price

[DRTMGRT]

Originally Posted by clbmw

Shouldn't it be full charge ahead? Or will there be a 330s? Coal is pretty cheap

I'm assuming "s" is for steam? Please someone make a steam powered 3 series. Ha ha ha

[DRTMGRT]

Also whatever happen to this initiative ??


A little tweaking and this design would kill.

[DRTMGRT]

What ever happened to this initiative?

A little tweak in this design and it would kill.

[firedown31]

Originally Posted by bunker

lad, have you actually SEEN that Tesla in person? Shaped just like a 5er GT. Ugly as sin.

The model 3? Nope. But I'll agree with you, I'm not a big fan of its looks. But compared to the i3 (looks wise), no contest.

[Mespinosa92]

Originally Posted by clbmw

Shouldn't it be full charge ahead? Or will there be a 330s? Coal is pretty cheap

Ha

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by Diver

Electric cars are only the tip of the emissions nightmare. Draconian measures are likely after 2025.

Electric utility rates will likely be tiered so consumption beyond certain levels will be very expensive.

Evening power outages may become routine. Consumers will be forced to invest in home battery storage devices to maintain service.

Air travel which is now expensive could become exorbitantly expensive and in limited supply.

Minimum air conditioner efficiency levels will make the equipment very expensive and unreliable. Cut out devices activated by utilities during peak hours, now optional, could become mandatory.

The US EPA has publicly said they want consumers to be able to buy the cars they want, but I think that is a lie.

What?