With the launch of its electrified i3 city car and i8 sports car next year BMW will be embarking on a bold new method of selling cars. These will be the first models from the automaker’s new I sub-brand for environmentally friendly vehicles. The automaker will reportedly offer cars to customers online as well as through dealerships. This could be a first for the automaker though there’s also a chance that we could quicly see additional models sold in such a successful way.

The reason why online sales could drastically reduce costs is because it will eliminate the need for a vast dealer network. The company reportedly is very keen on drawing back the high investment cost of developing new models. “We clearly, as a company, go into any product launch with the view of making profit, which is no different with the i brand,” BMW marketing chief Ian Robertson said. “This is a car line just as every other car line, and we intend to make profit from Day 1.”

Most people predict that online car sales will take years to gain any significance because while buying online people cannot test drive cars. Also, in the U.S automakers are not allowed to sell cars and such a scheme would face hurdles in the U.S. To spread the word BMW is taking the cars on a global tour to key markets where it expects them to be popular. The BMW I Born Electric Tour recently kicked off in Rome, Italy and will be travelling to six other major cities within the next six months. The company plans to open a new range of retail stores showcasing the irange. Located on London’s trendy Park Lane the BMW I Store will be followed by additional stores in other locations in the near future.

via motorauthority