BMW Scraps i5 Plans In Favour Of Electric X3

BMW’s long awaited third i model, the 3 Series-sized i5, has reportedly been axed causing a shift in BMW’s long term electric vehicle plan.
 
BMW Blog reports several unspecified sources have revealed that plans for a more mainstream electric ‘i model’ have been cancelled, with BMW instead looking to adapt its mainstream models with electric drivetrains.
 
Whereas other manufacturers, and BMW itself, look to cost savings through flexible platforms, both of the existing i products - i3 and i8 - rely on unique, low-volume, high-cost chassis systems that are seemingly unsuitable for higher-volume applications.
 
Instead BMW will look to its regular vehicle lines, like the upcoming X3, with specific EV models adapted of its existing platform rather than a full stand-alone product line, similar to what the brand already does with its iPerformance plug-in hybrid X5 xDrive 40e and 330e models.

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