First production BMW i8 nets $825,000 for charity at auction

Previewed here last month, the first production 2014 BMW i8 was auctioned for charity this past weekend during the Gooding & Company’s annual Pebble Beach event. The one-and-only BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition crossed the block for $825,000, including the buyer’s fee. Finished in Frozen Grey Metallic with Dalbergia Brown leather upholstery, the car was presented by Jay Leno and Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO of BMW of North America. 

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The Concours d’Elegance Edition sold for approximately six times the $136,650 sticker price of a standard BMW i8, and the proceeds are being donated to the Pebble Beach Company Foundation, which raises funds for Monterey County youth and distributes grants spanning the arts, athletics, environmental sciences, educational organizations and community programs. The purchaser’s name has not been released. 

First BMW i8s delivered to U.S. buyers

While the biggest news of the weekend regarding BMW’s sleek plug-in hybrid was the auction of the Concours d’Elegance Edition, it wasn’t the only thing of note. The initial shipment of regular production i8 models also was presented to a group of nine VIP buyers during a party at the BMW Villa. The list included well-known automotive dealers, car collectors and motor racing magnates Roger Penske and Rick Hendrick. 

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Others taking delivery of new i8s included master chef Thomas Keller who also prepared the dinner; Tony Fadell, the CEO of Nest; Michael Fux, CEO of Comfort Revolution; John Hendricks, founder of Discovery Communications; Barry Klarberg founder of Monarch Business and Wealth Management; Miles Nadal, head of MDC Partners; Sam Nazarian, Founder of SBE; and Patrick Wachsberger, Co-chairman of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

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