BMW is raising production of the i3 up from 70 vehicles a day to 100 at its factory in Leipzig in order to keep up with growing demand, according to recent reports.
The production boost — which was revealed in a press release from BMW’s production chief, Harald Krueger — represents a 43% increase. That’s a relatively significant boost for such a new vehicle, and a new vehicle that relies on a completely new manufacturing setup for that matter — it certainly bodes well for the company’s i-Drive line of electric vehicles, such manufacturing investment.
Since the start of the year, BMW has manufactured around 5,000 i3s. With the recent production increase, that number is expected to climb to 20,000 or so units by the end of the year — nearly twice the previously predicted sales forecast for the year. I think it’s safe to say that BMW is confident in the model’s success. 🙂 For more information on the quality of the i3, be sure to see EV Obsession’s review of the model: BMW i3 Review (+ Video).
Bloomberg provides further information on the manufacturing boost:
BMW began rolling out the i3 last November and will begin bringing the i8 hybrid sports car to market in June. Both vehicles have a carbon fiber chassis to cut weight and improve fuel efficiency. The Munich-based automaker said in February that it’s building a second production hall at a jointly run plant with SGL Carbon SE (SGL) to boost assembly of the material.
Chief Financial Officer Friedrich Eichiner said in October the company was considering a production increase for the model after early demand exceeded expectations. BMW said at the time it had 11,000 orders for the compact car, which will cost $41,350 in the U.S., and aimed to sell more than 10,000 in 2014.