FRANKFURT (Reuters) - BMW (>> Bayerische Motoren Werke) plans to introduce an electric version of its popular 3 Series in September, a move designed to fend off rival Tesla (>> Tesla), Handelsblatt reported on Wednesday.

The German carmaker will present the vehicle at the IAA auto show in Frankfurt in September, the paper said.

The 3 series, which is a high volume sales model, will have a range of 400 km (248 miles) and is seen as a direct response to the success of Tesla's Model 3, according to Handelsblatt.

BMW declined to comment.

(Reporting by Edward Taylor; Writing by Tom Sims; editing by Susan Thomas)

Stocks treated in this article : Bayerische Motoren Werke, Tesla