BMW i3 on Autobahn
This i3 Might Require Some Body Work
In order to sell the i3 and i8, BMW says dealerships must be certified. This is basically the same as with the Chevy Volt and Nissan LEAF.
However, not all BMW dealerships are expected to undergo the certification process.
If a dealer wants to offer BMW's i sub-brand, then specialized training is required, as are some unique service tools and on-site chargers. We're not exactly sure of the requirements for selling the i sub-brand, as BMW hasn't issued a release that details this, but we do know dealers are expected to comply with certain guidelines if they wish to sell i vehicles.
Ahead of the i3's European launch this fall, BMW is getting together lists of dealerships who have signed on to sell the electric vehicle. That list, in the UK, now stands at 46 dealers strong.
Order books are expected to open on the i3 in Europe in July with first deliveries happening in November.
Here, according to Autocar, is that list of BMW i sub-brand certified dealers in the UK:
Bavarian
Lloyd Newcastle
Berry Chiswick
North Oxford Garage
Benham Wolverhampton
Ocean Plymouth
BMW Park Lane
Rybrook Warwick
Bowker Preston
Sandal Huddersfield
Broad Oak Canterbury
Scotthall Milton Keynes
Chandlers Brighton
Soper of Lincoln
Cooper Croydon
Specialist Cars Stevenage
Cooper Norwich
Stephen James Enfield
Cooper Reading
Stratstone Derby
Cooper Teesside
Stratstone Leeds
Cooper Tunbridge Wells
Sycamore Peterborough
Cotswold Gloucester
Sytner Birmingham
Dick Lovett Bristol
Sytner Cardiff
Eastern Motor Company
Sytner Harold Wood
Elms Cambridge
Sytner High Wycombe
Fairfield
Sytner Leicester
Halliwell Jones Warrington
Sytner Sheffield
Harry Fairbairn Glasgow
Vines of Guildford
Jacksons Jersey
Westerly Exeter
John Clark Aberdeen
Williams Liverpool
Knights North Staffs
Williams Manchester
Lloyd Carlisle
Wood of Bournemouth
It should be noted that BMW has hundreds of dealerships in the UK, so the "take rate" on selling the i sub-brand doesn't initially appear to be all that high, at least not in the UK.
via Autocar
