BMW expands NZ i network

BMW Group New Zealand has announced an extension to the existing inetwork. Winger BMW in Wellington and Christchurch BMW will become official i sales dealers from July 1. The two dealerships join authorised i dealer Auckland City BMW. The BMW i is a full-package electric support service which provides private and public charging stations to BMW EV drivers, advanced navigation software to locate chargers and map out efficient driving routes, and electric aftercare maintenance and repair. The remaining dealer network are being upgraded to include BMW i service, which will enable BMW to support customers across New Zealand. “This commitment from our dealer network further provides customers with even more access to a wide range of electric vehicles, charging and dealer support in all parts of the country,” said commented BMW Group New Zealand managing director, Florian Renndorfer. This follows BMW’s collaboration with ChargeNet NZ, announced last year, to help establish New Zealand’s electric highway of DC fast chargers that will facilitate EV driving along the length of the country. Charging at a BMW ChargeNow station takes around 30 minutes to reach 80 per cent battery capacity. BMW’s electric offering, the i3, was the top-selling new EV car in the country for 2016, with 144 units sold.