BMW Developing EV Sales, Service Grid in U.K.

BMW U.K. says it will have a sales network of 48 dealers when it launches its BMW i sub-brand featuring electric-drive systems later this year.

Each dealership will have specialized technical capabilities allowing it to carry out repairs to the vehicles’ high-voltage batteries. A wider service network is planned to offer extended coverage for the general service, maintenance and repair of BMW i vehicles.

Two BMW i-cars have been confirmed for production: the full electric i3 megacity vehicle and the plug-in hybrid i8 sports car.

The i3, the auto maker’s first fully electric production car, is due to go on sale in the U.K. in late 2013. Both the i8 and the i3 feature an all-aluminum chassis combined with a body made entirely from lightweight carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic.

BMW Group U.K. Managing Director Tim Abbott says more than 6,000 people have registered their interest in the EVs.

“With the announcement of our BMW i retail network, we are open for business and taking deposits on the i3 and i8,” he says in a statement.

BMW says it is the first luxury auto maker to offer a comprehensive ownership package that includes premium services aimed at optimizing the use of parking spaces, recharging infrastructure, smart-navigation systems, intermodal route planning and access to other BMW vehicles on an on-demand basis.

“With BMW i, we are offering game-changing technology that will revolutionize the way we move through a completely new driving and ownership experience,” Abbott says.