BMW to launch a new Mini model before year-end

While BMW Group India will launch four new models – M3, M4 Coupe, M5 sedan and i8 hybrid – during the rest of 2014, its premium lifestyle brand Mini will also see the addition of a new model by the year-end, according to company president Philipp von Sahr. At present the Mini brand is available as the Mini hatchback, Mini convertible and Mini Countryman models in India and has a limited number of four dealerships in large cities.

Sahr says the company will look at expanding the dealership network  in due course of time as Mini volumes see a spike. 

Earlier today, the luxury carmaker launched its new X3 sports activity vehicle (SAV) for India, powered by a new 2-litre diesel engine. The X3 will be locally produced at its Chennai plant after it comes to India in a completely knocked down (CKD) kit form. It is available in two trim levels and priced at Rs 44.90 lakh for the X3 xDrive 20d Expedition and Rs 49.90 lakh for the X3 xDrive 20d xLine (ex-showroom India).

According to Sahr: “The X3 xDrive 20d is the first model to feature the latest-generation diesel engine with outstanding performance and low fuel consumption. The new-generation, all-aluminium 2.0 diesel engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology uses common-rail direct injection with solenoid valve injectors and works with increased injection pressure. This pushes engine output to 190hp with a maximum torque of 400 Nm. This increased vehicle performance helps provide 0-100kph acceleration of just 8.1 seconds with a top speed of 210kph.”

For the festive season, he said BMW has to combine the better market sentiment with attractive offers of financial schemes especially on models in the sixth or seventh year of sales. “But we will not be offering any discounts,” he clarified.  “We are looking for sustainability of the Group and further profitability.”  

At present, the carmaker’s Chennai plant, which has flexible assembly lines, makes nine models. BMW is expanding its dealerships as part of its marketing strategy from the current 37 sales outlets to 50 by end- 2015 and is simultaneously stepping on the pedal in terms of its servicing operation.

Its pre-owned outlets BMW Premium Selection are, according to Sahr, drawing a lot of customers and facilitating both sales and servicing. “The 3 series is the most popular model in the BMW Premium Selection outlets,” he concluded.