BMW’s first attempt at cracking the small electric car market with the i3 was one of those things that people either loved or loathed. You were either on board with the i3’s groundbreaking tech and its lounge-like interior, or you found its oddball proportions and head-scratching market placement completely off-putting. Either way, it looks like BMW is ready to revisit the small EV space, but not without taking a little time to pause and reflect first.

Read: BMW i1 And i2 Entry-Level EVs Reportedly Coming In 2027 And 2028

The i3 went out of production in 2023, with no direct replacement to cater to the small EV buyer. Meanwhile, there had been predictions that BMW could follow the path of its rivals and leave the small car segment altogether. However, according to Bernd Koerber, Senior Vice President of BMW’s Brand and Product Management, the Bavarian company plans to keep the 1-Series around, with a new generation likely to surface in 2028.

i3 Becomes the i1?

The original i3 was as much of a production car as it was a bit of a market experiment — and as such, its naming convention would be quite confusing in today’s electric BMW nomenclature. In fact, the i3 name will soon be assigned to the electric versions of the eighth-generation 3 Series.

So, where does that leave the next small EV? Well, the all-new compact EV is expected to be paired with the next-generation 1 Series, with both models likely to launch simultaneously, featuring styling and platforms influenced by the company’s Neue Klasse design direction.

BMW Stays In Small Car Segment

With Audi winding down production of the A1 and Q2, and Mercedes declaring that the A-Class will meet its maker at the end of this cycle, some predicted BMW would sound the death knell on the 1-Series line. But not so, says Koerber.

Speaking to AutoExpress, Koeber highlighted the importance for BMW to stick around. “Go to Greece, go to Spain, go to Italy – take out the 1 [Series] and that’s one-third of your business. So, if you’re a global player, you better do things in your home markets which are relevant.”

Koeber also related how having an entry-level model like the 1-Series has a greater impact on the brand as a whole. “It’s very important for the brand, because what you see in the 1 Series is you have the highest share of younger drivers.”

More Shared With Mini

BMW could opt to keep costs down by borrowing from the Neue Klasse platform, which offers the flexibility to provide different layouts and wheelbases. Another advantage for BMW is Mini, with the next generation 1 Series likely to share components with the sister brand.

Koeber, who also served as senior vice president for Mini until 2022, says that remaining in the small car sector will also force BMW into finding clever and cost-efficient solutions. These solutions can later be applied to larger models, with BMW keen to retain its competence in cost-effectiveness.

Illustrations: Carscoops / Thanos Pappas