7 Reasons Why Apple Can Save The BMW i3 From Certain Disaster

I3 fail, Foreseen...

The reason the i3 isn't selling is because it's fu*king goofy as hell looking. Doesn't take a genius to figure that out. Someone should have thought of this before the execs at BMW allowed this pitiful thing to be put on the market.

No one can save the I3. It's configuration is fundamentally flawed - and it's range extender engine is designed to be used ONLY as an emergency backup with limited operating conditions. ANd it is optional as well. THe I3 is basically an electric vehicle with about a 60-80 mile range - which is not sufficient for most people to buy - for too much money.

A plug-in Hybrid it is NOT - because in a plug in - the range extender engine - as in the VOLT - is not a tiny scooter engine - and can run the car itself for as long as the gas is available.

TomM, the I-3 will run on the gas engine when the electric engine is out. Actually I live 32 miles one way from work and the I-3 Rex worked out much better than I originally thought. Plus to fill up the 3 cyl engine only cost $6.52 & will provide an additional 60 to 70 mpg if needed. So far, I have not tapped into the fuel of the Range extender. I have been driving a demo version for about a week and have put on a total of 370 miles during that week. Charging it every night when I get home. The 370 miles on driving has cost me a total of $6.52 so far.

I am pretty impressed. Plus as you drive it and get used to it, it is pretty quick.

The link points to an article titled "Why The UAW May Reject The Fiat Chrysler Contract." Looks like the wrong story.

Article: "...BMW needs a i-boost. And it needs Apple..."

BMW has made some wrong decisions when they designed the i3 and then again when they put it into production. Apple knows far less about cars than BMW. I don't get how people believe that getting Apple involved in projects such as the i3 would make it a better seller or more profitable. Apple's claim to fame, and their area of expertise, is their hot-selling and immensely profitable iPhone, and being the biggest music and video vendor on the planet (iTunes Store).

actually I completely disagree as I am just picking up an I-3 for myself. I actually really like it and get a much better range than originally thought. I am getting the Giga world I-3 Rex. Prior to deciding on it, I was very hesitant as just not that familiar with it.

If BMW were to get into bed with Apple, it is to help Apple with its ambition to start selling cars and not the other way around.

BMWm4: I understand that you like the car, but that won't save it. Most of the people is by far more demanding than you and are not willing to pay so much money to drive a car with that short range...The most already reject it. Sorry pal but is a fail commercially speaking.

the i3 is not an attractive, sexy car. Tesla designed a sexy car that most people would love to own, regardless if it is electric or not. Yes, the i3 costs less than a Tesla. But sexy sells cars. BMW screwed themselves by designing the i3 to be a Prius. People who want a BMW expected something more than that. This is why Tesla is considered a disruptive force in the auto industry.Tesla delivers the new technology and new thinking for the population segment that wants to lead the rest into the future. BMW appears right now to be a mere follower. And not a very good one.

In the electric vehicle market, everyone is following tesla in some form or another.

Until EVs have a 500-mile range, I'll keep waiting.

Oh and the i3 to me is way overpriced.

CactoesGe1: You're waiting for EV's to get a 500 mile range? Most conventional vehicles can't do that!

The i3 isn't selling because it is UGLY. Had BMW made it a coupesedan like a CLA, it might have had some traction. Also, not having a PHEV version was dumb.

Passed one on I-84 across NY yesterday. Not very attractive at all. Wheels look like they are off a bicycle. Surprisingly it was moving along at 70 mph. It had PA plates and was 40 miles from PA. Was it running on aux engine?

As an owner, I experience the Rex i3 from the INSIDE -- drop dead gorgeous and it drives like a BMW. Moderate battery size, low weight, and serial hybrid (if required) will be a potent configuration in the future. Sure, better styling, marketing, and an install base of DC Fast Chargers would help, but I sure suspect BMW will get there before Apple ships.

It seems pretty simple why it's not doing well:

1 - Very ugly on the outside. A pity given the engineering that went into it. And it's got a nice interior.
2 - Range limited. Not as far as a Tesla, no unlimited gas capability like a Volt.
3 - A brand new, from scratch car, and it still doesn't get top safety ratings on the European NCAP tests. That's a design failure.

1 - Looks are subjective. I am not a huge fan of the exterior either, personally, though the interior is extremely cool (provided you don't get the lowest model).
2 - Range isn't limited on the REx model. The gas tank is tiny but you can keep filling it and driving. In fact you could travel cross country as quick or quicker than a Tesla -- you'd stop more often but you wouldn't have to take a specific route for charging stations, and each fuel stop wouldn't take more than a couple of minutes since the tank is so small.
3 - the car itself aced the NCAP test. The score was automatically lowered because they tested one without some of the optional safety features. BMW has since made those standard.

First impressions matter and the outside is the first impression one gets. My wife took one look at and commented "that looks like it isn't very comfortable. Can't imagine driving any distance in it."

I agree with the comment that petro/electric model (Volt et.al.) is the eventual solution especially if you want one vehicle that you can commute in and then drive a long distance on vacation and holiday.

I like the oddity of it. It is very functional and purposeful. I am not sure as the limited range you speak of. I have been driving the Rex version for the past couple weeks and am soon to be leasing it when my order comes in. I reside about 32 miles from work one way which is about 65 miles round trip & right now I have been driving on pure electric as the range I have been experiencing is 87 to 89 miles. I did fill up the gas tank 1x for a whopping $6.52 & have yet to tap into that. For the driving that I use it for which is 90% communting to and from work, it is a great solution as I have spent $6.52 the past 2 weeks in Fuel.

Styling is not for everyone, yet there are alot of ugly cars on the market. The nissan leaf is like a fiat, yet sluggish and a rather small car. I am not a big fan of the Prius or the Chevy Volt ( which is a nicer appeal ), as I kind of want my cake and eat it to. Performance and efficeincy. The Tesla is just out of my price range for a commuter car so that is out.

Not compiicated here. It's too expensive.

You're right its not complicated. Its ugly. Thats it. OEMs need to stop trying to push the distinction of their tech through odd styling. ALL alt powertain cars that look awesome have zero trouble, but alas those have all been premium vehicles -- make the Leaf look like a Mission E and you'd have people lined up to buy one. OEMs are spending too much time talking to themselves about the eco-benefits, make an awesome car w/ incredible tech and people will buy it. The challenge is when making compromises (i.e. range, habitual changes) adding strange design only complicates the decision further.

The solution is coming, its only a matter of time...

Expense & exterior design are the issues. But I don't really blame BMW so much.

There was a time when consumers jumped at the chance to "be seen" in a hybrid or EV...no matter how quirky they looked. Then offerings like Karma & Tesla popped up & really brought the "sexy" to the highest-tech low-gas/no-gas cars.

Now jump to today - Toyota still has a lot of hybrids & EVs, the Leaf is selling really well (who knew?!) ...but none of those efficient vehicles are "sexy". BMWs are lustful indulgences where the highly-visible models should be "sexy". The i3 is not. I'm sure BMW is currently working to change that. B/c they definitely had a major "doh!" moment.