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BMW Is Selling i3s Online via Amazon in Japan

It’s rather interesting how the industry changes. No more than 10 or 15 years ago we couldn’t imagine buying our cars in any other way than visiting a dealership. If someone said, ‘I just bought a car’ the immediate question that followed was ‘where from?’.
BMW i3 on Amazon 1 photo
Photo: screenshot
However, technology advances and along with it we do. Yesterday, Amazon and BMW Japan announced that the i3 is now available for purchase, online. Yes, you can now enter Amazon.co.jp, buy yourself some underwear, doggie treats and a phone and maybe add an i3 to the mix if you feel like it.

"So many people are using the website. We would like to research potential customer groups who may be interested in our products. This will widen the sales channel and improve convenience for customers,"
a BMW spokesman said for AFP.

It’s not the same process as in the case of many other products, though. First, you add the BMW i3 to your cart and then you get a phone call from a BMW representative that confirms you have a parking spot and a place where you can charge it. That’s because law in Japan is very specific about this. Then you head over to the dealership and pick up your ride, be it the pure EV or the range extended version.

The German manufacturer hopes to improve its sales this way, by improving the buying process. Of course, you can purchase either version of the car online and it’s rather interesting to see how this whole thing pans out in the future.
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