BMW is ending United States allocations of the iX. After five years on sale, the funky looking electric SUV has officially reached the end of the line here in America. Here’s what a BMW North America representative told BMWBlog:
We are proud of what we have accomplished with the BMW iX. Since its introduction, it has served as a technological showcase, pushing the boundaries of design, manufacturing, sustainability, and circularity. Our success in the U.S. is driven by a broad and flexible powertrain portfolio that allows us to navigate a dynamic environment while continuing to evolve our lineup. As part of this progression, we are concluding U.S. allocation of the BMW iX as we prepare for the next generation of our fully electric vehicles.
We remain fully committed to electrification in the U.S. and are transitioning to our upcoming Neue Klasse models, beginning with the BMW iX3, powered by our latest Gen6 eDrive technology. This marks the beginning of the Neue Klasse era and the introduction of these technologies across our future portfolio, and we are confident these vehicles will surpass the expectations of customers when they enter the U.S. market in the coming months.
While the abruptness of this announcement is a bit shocking, the iX’s end shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. When the BMW iX first launched in 2021, it was originally supposed to usher in a new era for BMW, as it was built on its own chassis architecture that wasn’t shared with any other Bimmer before it. It had carbon fiber in its structure, unique styling, and a cabin unlike anything else from the brand before or since. It initialy seemed like it was signaling BMW’s future.
Then BMW pivoted to the Neue Klasse, which rendered the iX and its unique (see: expensive) development obsolete. Once BMW pivoted, the iX was doomed. It’s worth noting, however, that it isn’t entirely dead yet. only in North America. BMW will still sell it elsewhere, until it meets its inevitable ends in every other market.
Even though this move makes sense, it’s still kind of a bummer to see the iX go. For all of its faults—it wasn’t the best looking car BMW ever made, it was expensive, and was a bit too heavy—it was a really likable SUV. The iX was comfortable, incredibly quiet, and had a lovely interior, one that I wish BMW took more inspiration from in other cars.
BMW doesn’t have a direct replacement for the iX just yet, but the upcoming iX3 is similar in size and will have even better battery and electric motor technology, while costing less. It’s also techier inside, which should get customers buzzing. The BMW iX will be remembered as a unique point in the brand’s history, where it did something truly different from the rest of its lineup, for better or worse. And in today’s highly homogenized automotive landscape, that alone should be celebrated.
