Photo: BMW
The BMW i3 was often criticized by some for being expensive. Starting at $42,300 (including destination and handling) in the US, it is one of the most expensive cars in its segment. However, it’s also the only premium one and that has to make up for something, right?
Unfortunately, in China, the prices aren’t nearly as friendly as in the US. The i3 was just launched over there and it starts at CNY449,800 which translates into roughly $73,000 at today’s exchange rate.
We were expecting such a pricing strategy, though, especially considering the fact that this is, after all, a BMW sold in China. It’s a very well known fact that European manufacturers sell their cars in the communist country with hefty premiums on top of their usual price.
Even though some might think this will put off the potential Chinese customers, we reckon it’s not going to have a huge impact. BMW was already aiming at a certain demographic when it launched this car in China and that demographic won’t have a problem with spending the equivalent of $73,000 (EUR57,000) on a car.
Furthermore, considering the huge smog problems that have arisen in the biggest cities around the country, the i3 could be a big hit in China, especially considering the incentives authorities offer.
What’s the big deal, you might say. Well, in China’s mega-cities, buyers of a new car need to bid for a license plate at an auction organized by the authorities. According to the legislators, this measure was enforced to help limit the number of cars on public roads as well as, in turn, pollution and traffic jams.
We were expecting such a pricing strategy, though, especially considering the fact that this is, after all, a BMW sold in China. It’s a very well known fact that European manufacturers sell their cars in the communist country with hefty premiums on top of their usual price.
Even though some might think this will put off the potential Chinese customers, we reckon it’s not going to have a huge impact. BMW was already aiming at a certain demographic when it launched this car in China and that demographic won’t have a problem with spending the equivalent of $73,000 (EUR57,000) on a car.
Furthermore, considering the huge smog problems that have arisen in the biggest cities around the country, the i3 could be a big hit in China, especially considering the incentives authorities offer.
How about government grants?
The bad news is that the i3 is not eligible for the big grant offered for electric vehicles by the Chinese government because it is not assembled or manufactured locally. Nevertheless, each big city around the country is offering its own ‘prize’ for eco awareness, like free license plates in Shanghai.What’s the big deal, you might say. Well, in China’s mega-cities, buyers of a new car need to bid for a license plate at an auction organized by the authorities. According to the legislators, this measure was enforced to help limit the number of cars on public roads as well as, in turn, pollution and traffic jams.
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