The semiconductor shortage continues to disrupt vehicle production, and we’re seeing the effects first hand with the locally-assembled G20 BMW 330e M Sport. At the time of writing, the plug-in hybrid sedan is priced from RM249,849, making it about RM1,600 cheaper than before.
The price drop is due to the removal (or unavailability, rather) of BMW Digital Key and Qi wireless smartphone charging systems. Other markets also seem to be similarly affected, as the two options are presently not offered on online configurators for certain models.
A source from BMW Malaysia confirmed the matter to be related to the semiconductor shortage, but highlighted that the issue is only temporary. It’s not exclusive to the 330e M Sport, so other models fitted with BMW Digital Key and the wireless charger from the outset – like the 320i Sport and X5 xDrive45e – may also be affected. Luck of the draw, so to speak.
The company assures that once the supply crisis eases, both features will be reintroduced (along with pricing revisions, naturally) on affected models. Hey, at least you’re not being charged full price for something they could have sneakily gotten away with, right?
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Second hand car owners in the future better take note of this. Later get shortchanged
Should let us configure cars to our liking, but too bad our country market is too small for checking boxes on spec sheets
It’s actually more on excise duty reasons rather than market, Australia has a multitude of configurations despite having a market as large as our only as they don’t have some rubbish called excise duty.
Well if u need to add a spoiler lip BMW would charger u 2.6k for it.
All features should be available to add on ala carte like other markets. Meaning if you want leather seat you have to top up, same with safety pack and others. This brings the base price down a ton of course, and you get to choose what you want: powered boot, blind spot monitoring, LED headlights, memory seat adjustment, etc.
I bet later on when buyers want these features back they will have to fork out RM 3-4k. Nice business model *sarcasm* kind of like how AirAsia have hidden charges which you find out later.
The wireless charger is not that great, very slow charging. Nothing to miss
Reduce 1 speed in the gearbox can reduce another RM20k onot?
to be honest, the car is safer now.
Yikes. I got a g20 330e with both features and they’re very useful. The digital key card particularly if you change cars and left the key behind
drop a feature, minor price decrease. add in a feature, major price increase.