BMW i3 Production Comes To An End

BMW has said that it has ended production of the i3 about 8.5 years since it was first introduced in global markets. Not to be confused with the recently revealed China-specific all-electric sedan, the electric hatchback was being manufactured at BMW’s plant in Leipzig which will now continue to manufacturer electric vehicle components before rolling out the all-electric replacement to the Mini Countryman next year. In its production cycle, BMW said it had sold 2.5 lakh units of the i3 globally which it said made the electric hatchback “most successful electric vehicle in the premium compact segment.”

BMW credits the i3 for the development of a number of its technologies over the years including the use of carbon fibre re-enforced plastics in vehicle construction and the development of BMW’s e-drive technology. The former has found its way into a wide variety of BMWs over the years with the latter, now in its fifth generations powering BMW’s new generation of electric vehicles.

The production of the i3 lasted for about 8.5 years with BMW's Liepzig plant having been the manufacturing hub

To commemorate the end of the model’s production, BMW has released a limited run HomeRun Edition of the electric hatchback. Limited to just 10 units, the models feature new paint finishes from BMW individual along with enhancements to the cabin over the regular i3.

The HomeRun Edition is finished in either Frozen Dark Grey and Frozen Red II paired with 20-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels. The cabin meanwhile is finished in Vernasca Dark Truffle leather upholstery with leather finish to the instrument binacle and steering wheel. The HomeRun edition also packs in more standard kit than the regular i3 with options such as adaptive headlights, an electrically controlled glass roof, Harman Kardon sound system, BMW driving assistant plus, BMW’s professional navigation system and wireless phone charging.

The last 10 units were called the HomeRun Edition and got cosmetic and feature updates over the regular model

The customers for the final 10 units were additionally able to witness the final assembly of the vehicle at BMW’s plant. The end of the production marks the close of the chapter on the first generation of BMW i cars with the i8 production having been ended a few years back.