BMW the latest auto brand to sell online

BMW has joined fellow luxury car brands Audi and Mercedes-Benz – as well as mainstream car-makers such as Volkswagen, Subaru and Kia – in announcing a new online vehicle sales platform in Australia.

However, so far just one electrified model – the plug-in hybrid BMW 530e sedan – is available to purchase from the comfort of your loungeroom.

Priced from $112,900 before on-road costs, the large PHEV luxury sedan is the most appropriate model to begin the process with, BMW Australia spokesman Nick Raman told carsales, as the brand puts its “focus on e-mobility and sustainability”.

BMW has sold 69 examples of the 530e to date.

Customers can reserve their new vehicle at the BMW Shop website with just four steps: model selection, paint choice, trim choice and the preferred dealer.

After paying a deposit, an online tool can match models currently in stock at dealerships to speed up the delivery process or have the vehicle ordered from the factory.

BMW Australia says the service will expand to offer other models and new features in the future, however, Raman says it’s unclear if the entire model range will become available online.

As for how BMW dealerships will be affected by the switch, Raman says the response has been positive.

“We have [their] full support and it’s a collaborative initiative,” he said.

“Dealers will interact and work with the customer during the process, including delivery and collection.”