The New "My BMW ConnectedDrive" portal

[websterize]

Dear international i3 drivers,

What, if anything, are North American drivers of the i3 missing out on?

"Manage an array of services for your BMW i via the brand new “My BMW ConnectedDrive” portal: http://bit.ly/ConnDrive"
https://twitter.com/BMWi/status/537213160462508032

BMWi says it has no current plans to make the new portal available in North America.

 

[stumbledotcom]

Reading the description, it seems the portal exists as a self-serve marketplace for the a la carte services that BMW NA has made standard or bundled in our Tech + Driving Assist package. Reflects the fact that historically BMW imports only its premium products. In other countries, they offer base models that are closer to mass market price points. We never got the 1-series hatchback only the more expensive coupe and convertible (now 2-series) for example. More specifically with the i3, we don't get the base interior and have as standard many features that are optional elsewhere (BEV heat pump, LED headlights, maintenance, etc.). Same principle applies to the management of said services. Rather than do-it-yourself through a website, we speak to a representative using the vehicle's telematics system.

My take is that BMW NA doesn't offer the portal because there's no need for it under their business model.

 

[websterize]

A-ha. That makes sense. Thanks much.

 

[jadnashuanh]

We Americans tend to be snobs when it comes to cars...certain brands have been sold here and marketed as premium vehicles not because the brand may not make 'entry' level cars, but because the importer chose not to import them to support the premium cachet associated with it. On most BMW's, you cannot get one without leather seats, where in Germany, various levels of fabric are in the base model along with smaller 4-cylinder engines (that have recently started to infiltrate some of our imports as well). THen, consider the other options...on a 5-series, in the USA, they come with lots of options as standard, partly to maintain that premium impression, but you can buy a base 5-series for a lot less elsewhere that is still quite functional (discounting the taxes which is a totally local issue and can be significant). There can be a huge difference in delivered cost. People in Europe have grown up with that, and recognize it...we have not had to make that distinction.

Basically, we're at the mercy of the local importer what is available and how it is priced. Partly because of the size of the USA market and the fact that we have such a low import duty on vehicles (and we don't pay VAT), we can get a higher spec'ed car than many other places for less money. It's a far cry from when the Big Three ruled the auto business here. ANd, that's good!