BMW North America just released their sales report for September 2015. Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 4.0 percent in September for a total of 26,608. The total number of BMW i3 and i8 models sold last month totals 1,892 units, a significant increase over the same period last year. Subtracting the number of SUVs sold last month gives us a 10 percent sales share for the electric i3 and i8 plug-in hybrid. Unfortunately BMW has not shared the exact number of X5 PHEVs sold last month, but the 10 percent estimate would still be fairly accurate.
BMW has sold 1,1710 i3 units compared to 1,022 just a year ago. The number over i8 models sold went up 214 percent: 182 units vs 58 in 2014.
The i3 continues to break the sales records each month, for example, in August, BMW USA reported 792 units sold, compared to the 1,710 models sold last month. As the electric cars market becomes more mature, the expectations for the i3 are high, so we expect the new colors and small updates to help boost the sales in 2016.
Without a doubt BMW is going through an electrification process and in the next few years, the number of plug-in hybrids and electric cars could grab a larger pie of the total sales for the year.
READ THIS: BMW i8 models still available at US dealerships
BMW will also launch the 328e model which starts production in November 2015. The 2016 BMW 328e plug-in hybrid uses a four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor mounted on the rear axle providing a system output of 245 hp and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. BMW 328e comes with a combined fuel consumption of 2.1 liters per 100 kilometers, or 112 mpg.
A 7 Series hybrid, 740e, is also likely to arrive next year, potentially followed by an X1 plug-in hybrid as well.
