Why BMW i8 Discontinued: The Reason Explained

Why BMW i8 Discontinued – The BMW i8 was a hybrid sports car that was introduced in 2014. It was a breakthrough in the automotive industry, offering a combination of performance, style, and sustainability.

The BMW i8 was an exciting project for BMW, as it was their first plug-in hybrid sports car. The i8 was praised for its futuristic design, innovative powertrain, and exceptional performance.

However, in 2020, BMW announced that they were discontinuing the production of the i8. In this article, we will discuss the reasons behind BMW’s decision to discontinue the i8.

Why BMW i8 Discontinued

Why BMW i8 Discontinued

Market Demand

One of the main reasons why BMW discontinued the i8 was market demand. When the i8 was introduced in 2014, it was a game-changer in the automotive industry.

It was a futuristic-looking sports car that used a plug-in hybrid powertrain. However, over time, the market demand for the i8 started to decline.

The i8 was a niche vehicle that catered to a specific audience. As a result, the sales of the i8 started to decline, and BMW had to make a difficult decision to discontinue the i8.

High Production Costs

Why BMW i8 Discontinued

Another reason why BMW discontinued the i8 was high production costs. The i8 was an expensive car to produce, and the high cost of production made it difficult for BMW to make a profit.

The i8 was a low-volume vehicle that required specialized manufacturing processes.

Additionally, the i8’s unique carbon-fiber construction added to the production costs. As a result, BMW had to discontinue the i8 to focus on more profitable models.

Limited Range

The limited range of the i8 was another reason why BMW discontinued the i8. The i8 had a pure electric range of only 15 miles, which was not enough for many consumers.

Although the i8 had a combined range of 330 miles, the limited pure electric range made it difficult for the i8 to compete with other plug-in hybrid vehicles on the market.

The limited range was a significant drawback for the i8, and BMW had to discontinue the i8 to focus on more advanced electric vehicles with longer ranges.

Changing Regulations

Changing regulations was also a reason why BMW discontinued the i8. In recent years, there has been a push toward electric vehicles and stricter emissions regulations.

The i8 was a plug-in hybrid vehicle that offered lower emissions than traditional sports cars.

However, as emissions regulations continue to become stricter, plug-in hybrids may become less viable.

As a result, BMW had to discontinue the i8 to focus on fully electric vehicles that would comply with the changing regulations.

Evolving Technology

Why BMW i8 Discontinued

The i8 was a revolutionary vehicle when it was introduced in 2014. However, technology has continued to evolve, and the i8 was starting to fall behind.

The i8’s plug-in hybrid powertrain was impressive when it was introduced, but other automakers have since caught up.

Additionally, the i8’s limited range and high production costs were becoming significant drawbacks.

As a result, BMW had to discontinue the i8 to focus on more advanced electric vehicles that would be more competitive in the market.

Competition

The competition was another reason why BMW discontinued the i8. When the i8 was introduced in 2014, it was a unique vehicle that had no direct competition.

However, over time, other automakers started to introduce their plug-in hybrid sports cars.

For example, the Acura NSX, Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, and the Tesla Model S Plaid are all vehicles that compete directly with the i8.

As a result, BMW had to discontinue the i8 to focus on more competitive models that would better compete in the market.

Shift Towards Electric Vehicles

Finally, a shift towards fully electric vehicles was another reason why BMW discontinued the i8. The i8 was a plug-in hybrid vehicle that offered some electric-only driving, but it still relied on a gasoline engine.

In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards fully electric vehicles, and BMW has had to adapt to this shift.

As a result, BMW had to discontinue the i8 to focus on fully electric vehicles that would be more competitive in the market.

Summary: Why BMW i8 Discontinued

In conclusion, the BMW i8 was an innovative vehicle that was ahead of its time. However, market demand, high production costs, limited range, changing regulations, evolving technology, competition, and a shift towards electric vehicles were all factors that led to the discontinuation of the i8.

BMW had to make a difficult decision to discontinue the i8 to focus on more profitable and competitive models.

However, the i8 will always be remembered as a groundbreaking vehicle that helped pave the way for more sustainable and advanced vehicles in the future.