New BMW X5 rolls out from Chennai plant

BMW India’s plant near Chennai has rolled out a new, locally-assembled BMW X5 SUV today. Initial deliveries of the vehicle, for which bookings began at the end of May, will commence by the end of the month. According to the company, demand for the new X5, which was launched about a month ago in Pune, has pushed the waiting period to three months. The X5 xDrive30d being locally produced at the Chennai plant is a diesel variant.

Philipp von Sahr, president, BMW Group India, said, “The third-generation X5 has received tremendous customer response and excitement since it was first displayed at the Delhi Auto Expo 2014. In fact, the first customer booking for the X5 was received at the expo itself. We might also consider ramping up the production to meet the huge demand in the Indian market.”

Robert Frittrang, managing director, BMW Plant Chennai, added, “The team at BMW Plant Chennai will build the all-new X5 with the highest standard of quality, distinguished workmanship and uncompromising engineering.” This third-generation X5 is 29mm longer and 5mm wider than its predecessor and 5kg lighter than the previous model due to the adoption of lightweighting techniques.

Meanwhile, BMW has confirmed that its i8 plug-in hybrid sportscar will arrive in showrooms here by the end of 2014 along with the 2014 Mini. The German carmaker assembles the 1, 2, 5 and 7 series as well as the X1 and X3 SUVs at its Chennai plant. Photograph: Robert Frittrang, MD, BMW Plant Chennai, and Philipp von Sahr, president, BMW Group India. 

Photograph: Robert Frittrang, MD, BMW Plant Chennai, with the all-new assembled-in-India X5.