BMW is Willing to Pay to Attract Customers from Other EV Brands

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

Tesla might not be the most dominant EV maker in the world, but it’s on top of the market here in the United States. Legacy automakers like Ford and General Motors are in the hunt, but so far, no one has been able to topple Tesla’s top spot. BMW is hoping to take some of the shine off of Tesla’s crown with a new incentive that gives buyers a $1,000 discount to buy one of its new EVs.


Cars Direct reported that the BMW 2024 BEV Conquest Program includes several other brands, including Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, Porsche, Rivian, and Lucid. Ford Mustang Mach-E and VW ID.4 owners can also take advantage of the deal. BMW will pay owners of those brands $1,000 to switch to an i4, i5, or iX, though the discount only applies to specific models from most brands. Importantly, buyers don’t have to trade their current EV in to take advantage of the deal.


BMW already offers a $7,500 credit for leasing the i4 sedan, which can be combined with the conquest incentive. Cars Direct noted that the iX also comes with a significant discount of up to $9,900 in lease cash. That said, BMW’s EVs are not cheap, so the incentives should be a welcome move for hopeful buyers. While not currently eligible for federal tax credits, BMW’s EVs can be leased to receive the $7,500 discount others get.


The German automaker is far from the only one offering discounts and incentives to bolster EV demand. Kia recently announced $5,000 off the brand-new EV9, and General Motors has discounted some of its models that lost federal tax credit eligibility. At the same time, automakers like Ford have reported that hybrid sales are up in recent months, demonstrating that buyers want fuel economy benefits but don’t want to pay the higher price for an all-electric model.


[Image: BMW]


Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by  subscribing to our newsletter.

Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

More by Chris Teague

Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 10 comments
  • AZFelix AZFelix on Mar 06, 2024

    This $1000 EV discount coupon is also available in a high-performance version made with weight saving carbon fiber and embossed with an 'M' logo. The exclusive package option is available with any new BMW EV for only $1500 (+tax) .

  • Kcflyer Kcflyer on Mar 06, 2024

    Wouldn't it be cheaper to make them less ugly?

    • Dr Mindbender Dr Mindbender on Mar 07, 2024

      LOLOLOL that's one of the funniest/truest comments I've read.


  • Theflyersfan Amazon Music HD through Android Auto. It builds a bunch of playlists and I pick one and drive. Found a bunch of new music that way. I can't listen to terrestrial radio any longer. Ever since (mainly) ClearChannel/iHeartMedia gobbled up thousands of stations, it all sounds the same. And there's a Sirius/XM subscription that I pay $18/month for but barely use because actually being successful in canceling it is an accomplishment that deserves a medal.
  • MRF 95 T-Bird Whenever I travel and I’m in my rental car I first peruse the FM radio to look for interesting programming. It used to be before the past few decades of media consolidation that if you traveled to an area the local radio stations had a distinct sound and flavor. Now it’s the homogenized stuff from the corporate behemoths. Classic rock, modern “bro dude” country, pop hits of today, oldies etc. Much of it tolerable but pedestrian. The college radio stations and NPR affiliates are comfortable standbys. But what struck me recently is how much more religious programming there was on the FM stations, stuff that used to be relegated to the AM band. You have the fire and brimstone preachers, obviously with a far right political bend. Others geared towards the Latin community. Then there is the happy talk “family radio” “Jesus loves you” as well as the ones featuring the insipid contemporary Christian music. Artists such as Michael W. Smith who is one of the most influential artists in the genre. I find myself yelling at the dashboard “Where’s the freakin Staple singers? The Edwin Hawkins singers? Gospel Aretha? Gospel Elvis? Early Sam Cooke? Jesus era Dylan?” When I’m in my own vehicle I stick with the local college radio station that plays a diverse mix of music from Americana to rock and folk. I’ll also listen to Sirius/XM: Deep tracks, Little Steven’s underground as well as Willie’s Roadhouse and Outlaw country.
  • The Comedian I owned an assembled-in-Brazil ‘03 Golf GTI from new until ‘09 (traded in on a C30 R-Design).First few years were relatively trouble free, but the last few years are what drove me to buy a scan tool (back when they were expensive) and carry tools and spare parts at all times.Constant electrical problems (sensors & coil packs), ugly shedding “soft” plastic trim, glovebox door fell off, fuel filters oddly lasted only about a year at a time, one-then-the-other window detached from the lift mechanism and crashed inside the door, and the final reason I traded it was the transmission went south.20 years on? This thing should only be owned by someone with good shoes, lots of tools, a lift and a masochistic streak.
  • Terry I like the bigger size and hefty weight of the CX90 and I almost never use even the backseat. The average family is less than 4 people.The vehicle crash safety couldn't be better. The only complaints are the clumsy clutch transmission and the turbocharger.
  • MaintenanceCosts Plug in iPhone with 200 GB of music, choose the desired genre playlist, and hit shuffle.
Next