Thanks for all the thoughtful responses. I’m leaning towards thinking this is BMW’s long-term strategy to dominate the Chinese EV market specifically. The iX3 LWB with those exclusive door handles is part of a broader push to make their EVs feel premium and tailored in China.
I see the concern about parts and service, but honestly, most BMW owners in China probably don’t worry about reselling globally. They care about local market value and convenience, which this approach delivers perfectly.