LANDMARK: BMW i3 is a ‘game-changer’
The much-anticipated i3 – ‘one of the most important cars in BMW’s history’ – was unveiled in London, New York and Beijing on Monday.
Here is a selection of reactions from key figures:
Ian Robertson, Board Member for Sales and Marketing at BMW:
“The BMW i3 heralds the dawn of a new era for individual mobility and for the BMW Group.
“True to a genuine BMW, the BMW i3 has strong emotional appeal, outstanding product substance and a guarantee of sheer driving pleasure.
“Working together with governments, city mayors and other key partners, we are confident that this exciting new solution for urban mobility will provide customers with an attractive offer for electromobility and successfully address the environmental challenges facing a growing number of megacities around the world.
“After 100 years of landlines the mobile telephone opened up so many opportunities and changed the face of the communications industry.
“EVs will do the same for individual mobility.
“The car has been around for 130years and today marks a change in the future of mobility.
“Our tagline Next Premium is all about being at the forefront of technology and innovation.
“One thing the i3 will share with every other BMW is sheer driving pleasure – the ultimate driving machine.”
Tim Abbott, Managing Director of BMW UK:
“In terms of premium cars the i3 and the i8 are game-changers; not just with the cars but the way they will help people stay connected.
“London is seen as a city with huge potential for the i3, hence its inclusion as one of the three global launch venues.
“It is the largest and fastest-growing metropolitan area in Europe and typifies the urban mobility challenges of the future.”
Benoit Jacob, Head of Design at BMW:
Patrick McLoughlin MP, Transport Secretary:
“It is fantastic to see a great brand like BMW introducing such a striking electric vehicle to the mainstream market.
“This shows that, like government, industry is serious about this technology.
“We have just announced an extra £500million to drive the growing market for ultra-low emission vehicles.
“That announcement underscores our ambitions for this sector and will help to create a stable and buoyant industry to support it.
“This is some of the most long-sighted and comprehensive support for these vehicles anywhere in the world and will put Britain in the vanguard of this growing market.”
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London:
“We have to get the conditions right to ensure motorists can comfortably take up the option of electric vehicle motoring and this latest innovation should help to make zero-emission vehicles a more common choice for consumers.
“In the capital we’ve also introduced Source London, a city-wide public charging network, to make the transition to electric even easier, helping to drive down pollution and improve quality of life.”
Additional reporting by headlineauto, with thanks.
