German automaker BMW is highly optimistic about the sales performance of its electric vehicles in the US market in 2023, Automotive News reports citing the company’s Executive VP of Operations’ exclusive statements.
BMW reportedly raised its sales target to about 50,000 EVs in the US this year, indicating a substantial increase from just 17,964 unit sales in H1 2023.
BMW North America Executive Vice President of Operations Shaun Bugbee told the publication that the company is strongly committed to electrification to reduce internal combustion engine-powered vehicle reliance.
In that sense, VP Bugbee emphasized the i4‘s leading position as the automaker’s best-selling BEV model. It apparently accounted for almost 60% to 10,724 units of all the new EVs sold in H1 2023.
“We’re driving electric more in the transition from a combustion-only to a world that includes combustion and BEV. The No. 1 volume car for us within BEV is i4.”
Shaun Bugbee, BMW of North America’s Executive Vice President of Operations
BMW to boost sales performance in Q3 and Q4 2023
VP Bugbee further voiced his confidence in BMW’s sales performance in the last two quarters of the year.
He expects the new i5 electric sedan, which marks the brand’s fourth BEV offering, to accelerate its sales shortly. The BMW i5 will launch as early as the latter part of 2023.
It will offer two configurations, including the i5 eDrive40 single-motor and the i5 M60 dual-motor. Notably, the company positioned the latter variant at the top of the all-new 5 Series portfolio. The BMW i5 M60 is also the company’s M Performance variant that features the xDrive all-wheel drive. It comes equipped with dual motors capable of generating 590 hp and 549 pound-feet of torque.
The i5 M60 also features Sport Boost/Launch Control, enabling it to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.
For context, the German automaker’s current EV lineup in the US is as follows:
- BMW i4 eDrive35 single-motor – 256 miles
- BMW i4 eDrive40 single-motor – 301 miles
- BMW i4 xDrive40 dual-motor – 307 miles
- BMW i4 M50 – 270 miles
- BMW i5 eDrive40 -295 miles
- BMW i5 M60 – 256 miles
- BMW i7 eDrive50 single-motor – 317
- BMW i7 xDrive60 – 318 miles
- BMW i7 M70 – 295 miles
- BMW iX xDrive50 -307 miles
- BMW iX M60 – 288 miles
However, it must be noted that their driving range may vary depending on the tire choices.
See Also:
- BMW iX e-SUV to service Australian politicians
- BMW i5 photo circulated ahead of the official launch
- BMW previewed the all-new i5 ahead of its official launch on May 24
- BMW reports more than 100% EV sales growth in Q1 2023
- US: Tesla on track to beat VW Group, BMW, and Mercedes in Q1 2023 sales
BMW’s increased sales target for this year is unsurprising, given that almost all automakers are still attempting to match Tesla’s pace.
Tesla does not disclose specific sales data for individual markets. Nonetheless, Automotive News Research & Data Center’s estimates suggest that the American EV giant sold over 173,000 EVs in Q2 2023 alone, reflecting year-on-year growth of a whopping 46%.
Meanwhile, BMW North America only sold 87,948 vehicles in the US, including the Mini brand, in Q2 2023. Despite the significant difference from Tesla’s, BMW’s sales results still indicate a YoY improvement of 11.5%. However, BMW’s quest to beat the EV market leader Tesla remains far from reality as of now.
